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The family originate from the villages and farmlands of this part of Germany. The rural areas of the Schaale Valley around Zahrensdorf near Boizenburg, Germany are very productive in the summer. A few kilometres further downstream (to the right of image) at Blücher (the village of origin of the family), some of the land is subject to flooding and therefore there are more grazing meadows, grassland and areas of nature reserve. The Schaale Valley is located about 60kms E of Hamburg, and south of the Hamburg to Berlin Autobahn. Stebens families lived here in the 1600s and before, and though most of their descendants have migrated away, there are still Stebens families in surrounding communities including Blücher, Boizenburg, Besitz, and in the city of Hamburg. For those who want more details on the photo: The linear village shown is Neu Gülze. The road running through the village leads to Zahrensdorf (left) and to Blücher via Gülze (4 kms to the right). The Hamburg - Ludwigslust - Berlin Railway can be seen crossing that road, the Schaale River and then cutting through forest plantation on the east bank of the Schaale River. This view seen from a glider includes the airfield (top left) located 6kms due east of Boizenburg-on-Elbe. The whole area is part of the picturesque Mecklenburgian Nature Park. [Photo: Akaflieg Hamburg 2003]
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