Hi Roberta Brandt Wilson
In answer to your question:
Do people ever go so far as to contact people in the phone listing by mail?
They sure do. I am trying to find out about the parents and siblings (and
their families) of my Greatgreatgrandfather Gottfried Schirwing (born 1851).
He and his daughter (my greatgrandmother) were born in Legnitten (parish of
Pörschken) and there are no church records for the time after 1810. This
lead me to write to ALL the Schirwing families I found in the German
telephone book.
I have received an answer from the majority of people I have contacted and
some in turn have given me addresses of other Schirwing they know of. You
probabldy ask, and did you find relatives? I don't know as yet, as not
everybody has details of their ancestors going as far back as mine. But I'm
hoping that there will be someone out there who holds the answer.
A letter most definitely has to be written in German (as probably the
majority of people one has to contact are older and only know German). And
it has to be worded quite carefully - if you want to receive an answer.
If you want to try it with your family, let me know (off the list) and I
would be glad to help as regards your letter in German.
Greetings from Melbourne
Ellen