Cory, Stophel was a common nickname for Christopher. It's seen quite often in eastern PA in early records for Germanic immigrants. While I don't doubt that the Hessian Stophel was indeed most likely Christopher Oeste, potentially for lack of time and/or perhaps in consideration of an audience who wants entertainment rather than analytical details, the genealogist's explanation was lacking. >>The episode was very interesting and close to home (although I didn't understand how 'Christoph Oeste' all of a sudden became 'Stophel Hesion' - I assume the DAR genealogists made the connection but didn't have time to put it in the episode).<< Susan