Gloria, My replies are inserted in your text. Gloria wrote: Bob, here are two books. Jews of Brooklyn (Brandeis Series in American Jewish History, Culture,  and Life) (Hardcover) (found on google books) by Ilana Abramovitch (Editor), Sean Galvin (Editor) The Jewish Community of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY (Amazon.com) George Kranzier Publ. Columbis University, 1954 1136 pgs I'll track these down. googling: http://www.brooklynjews.org/ Lain's Brooklyn Directory for the Year Ending May 1st 1892 two Leopolds, both butchers  These listings mark an interesting point of confusion that could catch any of us.  Both of these Leopold Blochs were butchers, both were from France, both had wives named Fannie and 3 children.  The first is 15 years senior to my great grandfather who is the second. What was the sister's name? If she married would she be living nearby?  Check first names near her brother on the census. The Leopold Bloch, butcher, in Brooklyn census (France) has a young  wife Fanny; also in 1880. Is he your great-grandfather?  He is probably my great grandfather but he is a roomer and I can't be sure.  No sign of sister, Sara What part of the Jewish religion did he belong to? You might see what  synagogues existed at that time in Brooklyn; perhaps one would have  records of marriages, if the sister married, or deaths.   The family synagogue (Reform Temple) is Beth Elohim, the one I grew up in.  It moved; the family remained in the congregation.  I have the LDS film of the early marriages.  No hits.    Thanks for your thoughts.   Bob Teitelbaum