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Carl, J.H., "Drittes Regiment Garde" (1784). Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
Carl, J.H., "Drittes Regiment Garde" (1784). Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.

Germans in the Revolution: Hessians and Patriots

Carl, J.H., "Drittes Regiment Garde" (1784). Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.

Saturday, May 16, 2026
2-3 p.m. Eastern Time
Admission: $15

 

What role did Germans play in the American Revolution—and how might their stories intersect with your own family history? In this lecture, Senior Genealogist Hallie Kirchner will explore the complex experiences of German-speaking people on both sides of the conflict: from the so-called “Hessians” hired by the British to the many German immigrants who supported the Patriot cause. Along the way, we’ll examine how to identify German origins in colonial records, trace Hessian soldiers who remained in North America, and better understand the cultural and political forces that shaped their decisions. Whether your ancestors fought for independence, arrived as soldiers in foreign service, or lived in German-American communities during the Revolutionary era, this lecture will provide valuable historical context and practical strategies for discovering their stories.

 

Register below:


Online

In Person


Note: All registrants will receive a recording of the event after its completion. This event will take place online and in person at American Ancestors' headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts. For information on visiting American Ancestors, click here.