Germanic Genealogy Society
A branch of the Minnesota Genealogical Society

Helping Members Research Germanic Ancestors Worldwide

HAMBURG

History
Hamburg started out in the 800’s as a moated fortress called, “Hammaburg.” Hamburg is Germany’s second largest city after Berlin. It is also known as Germany’s, “Gateway to the World.” A small harbour was first mentioned in the 9th century – Hamburg, a town with 200 residents, used the 120 metre long wooden jetty for long-distance trade. Archbishop Adaldag granted the citizens of Hamburg the right to hold markets in 937. Parallel to this the Hamma-burg (Hamma Fortress), destroyed 100 years previously by Danish Vikings, was rebuilt.
There were harbour facilities in the Nikolaifleet area as early as 1188; the official birth of Hamburg Port took place, however, on 7th May 1189, when Emperor Frederick Barbarossa guaranteed Hamburg privileges such as customs-free travel along the lower Elbe to the North Sea and the right to hold markets in an imperial charter. More about Hamurg can be found at :
http://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/content/history-hamburg-port
http://www.antor.org/germany/hamburg/port-of-hamburg.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/hamburg/history.htm
http://www.genealogienetz.de/reg/HAM/hamburg-e.html