If our Bredimus ancestors living in nineteenth-century Luxembourg were well-off, there might not be an American branch of the family. This was my thought when reading that Luxembourg is now the richest country in the world. I assume the article is referring to per-capita income, which is easier to accomplish with a small population. The author wrote “I spent 3 days in Luxembourg, the wealthiest country in the world where train travel is free“. “I traveled around Luxembourg, the first country in the world to make public transport free, by train, tram, and bus. Here’s what it was like:”

The view from my room in Chateau d’Urspelt. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Our ancestors left their home country at a very different time when financial conditions there made America very attractive. According to Wikipedia, “Between the mid-19th century and the early 20th century, approximately one-third of the Luxembourgish population emigrated. Luxembourg was, at the time, a poor country with an economy dominated by agriculture.”

“After arriving in New York, Luxembourgers tended to move on to Chicago, as well as Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.”

That’s certainly true for our clan since we had relatives settle in Iowa, Minnesota, and Chicago. It is hard to imagine our family members leaving the old country. But, the USA was a beacon of hope for so many. It still is for many more.