Upper Rhine Jewish Origins attempts to find genetic connections and geographical origins among descendants of the former Jewish communities of the Upper Rhine River Plain. The Rhine River Plain of Baden (today Baden-Württemberg) Germany between the Upper Rhine and the Black Forest. The Jewish populations of these small rural communities (which included Altdorf, Schmieheim, Rust, Ettenheim, Friesenheim, Kippenheim, Lahr, Nonnenweiler, Orschweier, Rust and Kenzingen) are believed to have swelled near the beginning of the 18th century over a hundred years before Jews were required to adopt surnames. The Jews who settled in the area at that time may have been from one or more areas seeking to make a living as traders, especially in livestock or artisans. Determining their origin or origins are one of the goals we are seeking. Because they are believed to come from a common area another goal is to determine if there are common genetic origins among the descendants.