German History of Metz's

[metzl]

My brother and I are researching our family ancestry.  We have done well for the time our branch of Metz was in America but have a major roadblock in going back to the "old" country.  So far we have found only one possible relative in Germany.  Does anyone have suggestions for general or specific information about the Metz's in or around Metz, France or Hessen-Kassel, Germany?

[whmetz]

I am from the Metz family of Harle, Hesse Kassel, Germany. The family can be traced back to 1519 and probably originated before that in Metze, Germany about 20 km southwest of Kassel. These are both small villages of 200 or so residents. Over the centuries many branches of the family moved to other villages. I know of Metz families from Dickershausen and Helmshausen that are both related to the Harle bunch and both had descendents who emmigrated to America.