My grandfather Peter Hilgers was born in Aachen Rhineland Germany in 1873. He came to the US with his family when he was 12. His father was Johann and his mother Helena Mary Henks Hilgers died on the trip and was buried at sea. He had a brother that ended up in WI. When I was little we went to WI--I think Racine--to visit my mothers cousin who would be the daughter of my Peter's brother, but I don't know off hand his name. My mother,Margaret Hilgers Huestis, corresponded with her cousin until 1999 for around 70 years. I'll look up her name and e-mail it to you. Peter is such a common name but there could be an indirect connecton if not a direct connection. Let me find my mothers cousins name and send it to you to see if you know her. Thank you for the reply. It's possible my Peter could be a cousin of your Peter. I'll try to send that info to you tomorrow.