Hi Joe,

I think we might be related. My gg-grandmother's name was Susanna Boch, and I think she may have been John Boch's sister. She was born in Hesse, Germany in 1826, and came to America in 1846 with her father and brothers and sisters. She lived in Pittsburgh and married my gg-grandfather Philip Kunkel there around 1848. I think she may be related to your Boch relative, since at the baptism of her first child John George Kunkel, the baby's godfather is listed as John George Boch, and there are no people of that name living in Pittsburgh at that time. However, Allegany County Maryland is very close to Pittsburgh, and was just down the B&O railroad line from the city. That's what makes me think that the John Boch living in MD was the John Boch that attended the christening. Also, my Bochs were Catholic, as were yours. Do you know if your John Boch's middle (Ruf-name) was George? I also have a question about John Boch's birthdate. I see that his tombstone says he was born in 1819, but your data gives his birthdate as 1824. Which do you think is correct, and why?

So happy to see your post. I've just found the Boch passenger record, and have been able to make a little more progress on this former dead-end.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Kathleen Lordson