The range of reasons why Bavarians crossed the Atlantic was as just as varied as human life itself. Apart from the 'major issues' of religious affiliation and political persuasion, or social and economic conditions in Germany, there were often personal motives that led to emigration.

These included the 'Gold Rush' after the first finds in California in early 1848, escape from the police and the authorities, or mothers searching for the fathers of their children who had disappeared (some of these were mercenaries sent to fight in America in 1777, others were adventurers).

A similar reason for emigration came after 1945, when German women followed their US-born bridegrooms.