Hold the tears.... I don’t mean to be cruel but I have endured your dilemma more than a few times before in various countries. Germans are very hard to reach as a matter of principle. However, once you have made a German friend… you have a friend for life… as a matter of principle. It is difficult to explain but please take it as advice from someone who has grown up on both sides of the pond, US/DE. I encourage you to keep practicing your German, no matter how they might put you off or become testy... Most Germans inherently are perfectionists. They always have been and always will be, hence their greatest strength as well as their greatest weakness. Try this. Next time you engage a German in conversation, insist that they practice their English with you without you offering correction and Visa Versa. In other words, make it clear that you ought to be able to respond in German to their English lines…To this idea I would suggest that you go to the outskirts of the Fußgängerzone and find a bar that appeals. Go and have yourself a few drinks and mingle. I wish that I could offer more than that but it is like an insurmountable wall… give it time, the more that they see your face and become accustomed to your presence increases your chances that someone with (after a few) will try to strike up a conversation. I don’t know Essen personally and each and every district is different. For example, in the village where I lived they ignored me for 2+ years before I was acknowledged while taking out the trash (dumb example) as on the contrary… The village where I went for me shopping not more then 1.8km away I was know on a first name basis… even more so the pub where I went to frequently (4.5km away) knew me personally and had my beverage of choice waiting at my usual table after only 8 months. If this all seems too overwhelming then I would suggest making friends with the Dutch or Bavarians. ... Yeah the Germans are hard, but there is a good reason why they are that way ... Wish you all the best

Greetings jiminycricket, Well this really depends on what you are trying to accomplish; in regards to heritage. As far as I understand the law; if you are trying to apply for dual-citizenship, the cut off is your immediate family (Parents); if however you are looking for a Familienzusammenführung you would need to have an extended family member in Germany who are willing to sponsor you. I do know of a few people who have successfully pursued this action (Familienzusammenführung) but it is tedious and generally requires knowledge of the last male in the family who was actually born in Germany. You would also need to know exactly where there where born and contact the Gemeinde of the village/town in question, to see if they can produce records of his birth. There after you would need to make contact with extended family in Germany and convince them as to why they need to sponsor your return, hence tedious. With that I must say that your question is rather vague in regards to residency, as there are many forms of residency. I would like to ask however if you have skills in the medical field or in IT. That would make your application easier and would also mean you need to apply to in entirely different manner altogether. More information would be insightful. MFG aus Gusternhain Eric Gilkison