I am trying to unravel a clue. Theresa (Thressa and other variants) Ann Hart (1863-1930) was raised in an orphanage in New Britain, Connecticut from about the age of 7 years (which puts the date around 1870). She was given two books when she was of age. The first one, a New Testament, a scan was provided to me by the current owner...and the second which seems to be a military book written in German (which I have not seen),
The owner of the books seems to think that the inscription is from Georges Hart to Lena Wahl. I think that is wishful thinking...the last three letters seem to be ahl...the first letter is a mystery but I can see that since the inscription is to a Wahl that the first mystery letter could certainly be a "W" as well.
Any advice on how to unravel the mystery would be helpful. At this point I don't know Theresa Ann Hart's parents names. Supposedly there was another sister as well who died at the age of 21...how are these people (Lena and Georges)? And is there a way to track Georges based on the limited information I have.
The best I have is this: le petit testement appartient a monsieur georges (h?)ahl soldat regiment d'inf de la marine 1st compg ne a zinswitter en mi'l huit cont quarente huit. Donnez a Stuttgarde pour en service. Abemoir le 11 Fber 1870
too many abbreviations for google translate to be very helpful.