"Swarthy Germans" in Texas

[VikingManx]

I have noticed that many people of German descent in Texas are much darker complected than Anglo-Texans. Is there a particular reason for this?

Anglos here are usually range between 5-8 inches tall and 6-7 inches tall (i would put the average around 6' tall), with light brown to light blonde hair, and almost exclusively green/grey/blue or light-mixed eyes. Red hair isn't very common. We are all very light-complected, and sunburn severely.

The Germans we have in West Texas are usually very light complected, often light-blonde, and almost always possess blue eyes. Sometimes they are enormous, and the men tend to have a "square head" (my grandfather simply refers to them as "square heads"). They tend to have very pretty daughters as well.

The kids Ive met of German descent from the Hill Country, however, are often very swarthy, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Their girls tend to tan so thoroughly that they are often as dark as most Mexicans during the summer. They are usually of medium height (maybe 5-6 to 5-11), and simply look completely different from Anglos like myself or the "square-head" Germans we have out here.

I cannot find any information on where these two ethnic German groups emigrated from! Its fascinating and Id like to know more.

[SpearBrave]

Here is a wiki link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_German

I came across something else some months back but I did not save the link. I think I shared it with Ronan. Maybe he saved it.

[HeathenAmerican]

I have a friend named Jon of completely German Descent, who is very light blonde and blue eyed, and a mammoth in size [hes insanely tall/built] but oddly he is very very tanned as well. I think extreme blondes and many nordic-body types tend to tan well?

[Bwana Doc]

There are many Germans that have swarthy skins and black hair. It is a racial characteristic. They tend to be found more in Pomerania and Saxony.