Meet the Author

The historical novel The Last of the Blacksmiths (Coffeetown Press, 2014) is based on a true story and drawn from authentic family letters written by 19th century German immigrants to Cleveland, Ohio. The novel tells the moving story of young blacksmith Michael Harm, who travels from the Bavarian Rhinelands to Cleveland to pursue an artisan way of life. Author Claire Gebben’s four years researching and writing the book included four days of intensive blacksmithing and a month-long stay in the German Rhinelands. In her powerpoint presentation she’ll share discoveries, adventures, and genealogy tips learned along the way