by Daniel H. Goodman 

This book presents the Goodman - Guttman family, their history and ancestry.  We see the history of the German immigration, their journey and why they came to America. Section 1 shows the descendants of Kofe Guttman. We see maps, war records, the language, religion, social order, business culture and more. There are branches of Goodman scattered, George Goodman, we know owned land in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1779. He served in the Revolutionary War.  And there was Richard Goodman, the progenitor of the American family in New England, was born in 1609 in Leicestershire, England.

The writing process for documenting family history began with a slow and disorganized approach, lacking a sense of connection between time and people. Realizing the need for a better system, a "Personal Roots" program was introduced to the computer, expanding the family history from 40-50 individuals to over 1400 by 1996. Each family was treated as a separate entity to provide information about immediate ancestors without overwhelming details.

Efforts were made to include as many bloodline members as possible, focusing on direct descendants rather than ancestors of those who married into the family. The objective was to preserve family history and share recollections, acknowledging the limitations of fading memories and lack of firsthand stories about ancestors. The document aimed to provide a superficial overview of the reasons for emigration from Eastern Europe and the lifestyle of Jewish communities during the 18th to early 20th centuries.

The narrative also touched on personal anecdotes, reflecting on family dynamics, relationships, and memorable moments. It highlighted the love and inclusivity within the family, emphasizing the importance of preserving memories for future generations. Despite challenges and gaps in information, the document encouraged further exploration and continuation of documenting family history beyond the writer's efforts.

(94p., + 29 p., Illus, Index, 2004)