I am looking for an old penpal in Germany...
 

Looks like I will be traveling to Germany in August on business and I would like to try and locate a gal named Gabi Frommel who lived in Neutraubling.
She (and her 2 children/husband) visited my house in Mesquite Tx for 1 month back in 1994. We lost touch a year or so later.
Her husband worked for BMW. I wish I could recall his name. All I remember is that it was a pretty common name.
Anyway... here in the US, it is pretty easy to find people but I have no idea how to find someone in Germany.
Is there an easy way?
Having said that... I do not want to pay to search.
Any ideas?

Well, if you can remember his surname you could start with the phone book: http://www4.dastelefonbuch.de/

The phone book (see posting above) is as much advice as you will (probably) get. But as more and more people choose not to have their name in the book, chances may be a bit dim.

To my knowledge, there are no internet searches in Germany which would be similar to the "anywho.com" sites you have in the U.S. as it is illegal here to store, gather, and publish / make available personal data, unless the person in question gives his or her okay.

I'm really sorry that this is no real help.

Neutraubling is just a few miles east of Regensburg, in Bavaria. It is quite a small place, just off the main highway I suggest you send a letter to the office of the mayor (burgomeister) of the town explaining your quest.

>Anyway... here in the US, it is pretty easy to find people but I have no idea how to find someone in Germany.
Is there an easy way?

The only way to find someone is if this someone wants to be found (or just by googling him/her). Otherwise it is illegal, as Cowboy

Having said that... I do not want to pay to search.

>Anyway... here in the US, it is pretty easy to find people but I have no idea how to find someone in Germany.
Is there an easy way?

The only way to find someone is if this someone wants to be found, by publishing the own name in the phone book (or just by googling him/her). Otherwise it is illegal, as Cowboy1968 said. Data protection is taken very seriously.

Sorry for double posting

Contact the Einwohnermeldeamt (registration office) in Neutraubling. They have the address data and pass it un UNLESS the person concerned has forbidden them to do so; in that case they'll probably inform her that someone from Texas is looking for her.