I'm back on line after being off for a while. My new email address is forenjuv@attbi.com I will try to find out exactly where our relatives lived in Germany so as to respond to you Jan. I believe it is Hanover. The records from Germany dating back to 1770 and 1880 show the family was born and married in Haste Hessen Schaumburg, Germany. They belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hohnhurst. The first generation immigrated to the United States in May of 1849. I hope that is helpful. I'll email more later