Geography of Germany for Dummies - Part 2

Of course when you search online for information about Germany, you will find a plethora of information.  It really all depends on what you are looking for.  I am still trying to figure what aspects of German geography and history will help me on my quest to pinpoint the location of my ancestors. 

I found a great map online referencing the administrative divisions of Germany.  In other words, I found a map and list of all of the States of Germany.  I am putting the link right here to Wikipedia States of Germany and feel that it is important to list the states below too in case the link gets moved.

Baden-Württemberg
Bavaria
Berlin
Brandenburg
Bremen
Hamburg
Hesse
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Lower Saxony
North Rhine-Westphalia
Rhineland-Palatinate
Saarland
Saxony
Saxony-Anhalt
Schleswig-Holstein
Thuringia

For my own research, I found that North Rhine-Westphalia was formed by two territories of the Free State of Prussia - The Rhine Province and the Province of Westphalia.  I find that Bavaria is the largest state and is found in the south of Germany.  Another southern state is Baden-Wurttemberg.  This is a location where one of my husband's German family lines originates. 

So now that I have some practical understanding of the states and area of Germany, what should I look at next?  I may, in fact, need that language lesson soon.