Why Did Our Ancestors Leave Germany?   For the most part, people were either leaving to get away from something or they were seeking greater opportunity.  War, famine and poverty were good reasons to leave.  Offers of farming land and other inducements were attractive reasons to move.  During the period from 1750 to 1900, the inducements to move to Russia and to North America were quite attractive.   After centuries of sub-dividing the farming land within families, it was becoming more difficult to make a living on these smaller plots of land. So the offer of land in Russia was very attractive.  In the U.S. farmland was inexpensive, but the expansion of the railroads created a huge employment opportunity.  So immigrants who wanted to farm could do that.  While others could easily find employment in urban areas. Germany experienced a huge population out-flow during the 1800's.  Travel was often restricted and people needed permission to emigrate.  The end of the German Civil War in 1849 signaled the start of the largest wave of emigrations.  In 1854, ten percent of the population of Steinmauern, Germany left for America.  That was a peak year, but throughout the late 1800's vast numbers of Europeans move to America. Not everyone left a documented trail of their emigration.  While permission was needed to emigrate, many people left without obtaining proper documents.     Therefore, many researchers have difficulty locating their ancestors on the Emigration databases.  Only people traveling with documents would be recorded on the Emigration records.  All immigrants traveling by ship would however be listed on the passenger lists. One item of Oral History is the story of poor ancestors who had their way paid for by the townspeople because the residents were tired of feeding and taking care of the poor.  This is a story that has substantial merit.  From the History of Steinmauern, in 1852, we have the following account: " Thirty-two families with 120 people are in need of support.  Eighteen of these families together, account for 80 people.  These people will emigrate to America during the next few weeks.  Thus, only 14 families with 40 people will remain here."In 1852, the population of Steinmauern was 1600 people, so 120 people on welfare could have been a considerable burden.This situation was a common occurrence across Europe. After famine (1846-47) and civil war (1848-49) people must have felt that any place must be better than where they were. [ Timeline of Historical Events of German Interest ] pg._42_