If my ancestors were from Alsace or Lorraine were they French or German?

in fact...genealogy makes no attempt classify persons being of particular "nationality". can leave banging head brick wall.
assume (for example) grandpa born in town ..in given year, when town under german rule. but..50 yrs before that...his grandfather born in exact same house, , town (obviously)..but @ time,the town under french rule.
answer not defined being either one. might have spoken french lead "being" french. or..they spoke german. and, can argued (at time) french citizens or german citizens.
hard core persons..what want identify.. factual things person..he born on date..and father , mother in fact, whoever were.
jurisdiction , citizenship political tags, , can debated, or some, changed legal process. born in japan technically japanese..until migrate , become citizens. still have japanese ancestors..they still born in same place, become "american" citizenship.
best advice can offer you...don't sidetracked issues of "is" or isn't. when trying trace ancestry, have work non debatable facts.

some of ancestors came alsace lorraine in 1600-1700s mean french?

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