Meeting the Cousins in Steinfeld, Germany

 Andre Kobus, Fritz Schmätjen and Dolores Petit check out a model 1962 VW bus that represents the beginning of the Schmätjen bus company

 Dolores has a treasured painting showing family members at a backoffen, or baking oven. This one is similar and stands in front of the Schmätjen home

Discussing family history in the living room of the Schmätjen home

 Visiting a farmhouse that was restored by the family. The house dates from 1843. 

Fritz and Ursel Schmätjen with Dolores Petit in the center walking down the street in Steinfeld

Visiting the Schmätjen Family in Steinfeld

Frank Schmätjen holding his son Jakob, Claudia (Schmätjen) Kobus, Dolores Petit, Ursel Schmätjen, Fritz Schmätjen and second row, Evi Schmätjen (Frank's wife) and Andre Kobus

 An extensive family tree was commissioned by Fritz Schmätjen and completed by the church archivist. 

 Fritz Schmätjen, August 18, 2014

 The family home and garden

Called a 'feldweg,' or field road near Steinfeld

Care Package 'Thank You' 67 years later

Dolores' family sent care packages after the war. In about 1947, one of those packages included a couple of dresses that had been worn by Dolores, who was about nine years-old at the time. As the Schmätjen family had no young girls at the time, they gave those dresses to the neighbor family. In the living room of the Schmätjen family, 67 years later, the recipient of those dresses came to say 'thank you.' It was an emotional meeting for Dolores Petit and Gerlinda Schwelgin who still lives right next door.

Dolores Petit meets Gerlinda Schwelgin

 Dolores and Gerlinda look at old photos

Trunks used when Dolores' grandfather emigrated to America were used on his return trip in 1950. They are kept in the garage of the Schmätjen family farm in Steinfeld.