My ggg grandfather, Jacob SORG, was born abt 1820 in Baden, Wuerttemberg. His wife, Margaretta SCHNEIDER (SNYDER) was also from Baden. After immigrating to the U.S.(sometime before 1856), they settled in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. I'm told in the 6th Ward, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh 1870 census, Jacob and Margaretta SORG are living with Better SNYDER, age 75, also born in Baden. The informant believes Better SNYDER was "probably" the father of Margaretta. I would love to learn more about this family and also obtain a copy of the above census, if sks has the time to look it up for me. I've been doing research in the U.S. for over 30 years, and have been on several England lists for the past 5 years, but this is my first posting on the German lists. I did manage to pick up some maps for Baden while on a tour of Germany back in 2001, so I do realize what a big area I'm searching. Any help getting started would be greatly appreciated. Best wishes, Sherry Shallenberger (from a very snowy and bitterly cold Pennsylvania) samc123@zoominternet.net

http://members.cox.net/hessen/hsstory.htm .........covers all of Germany. :-) Don

Hi Roger, Thank you for sending me the information from the 1870 census. Yes, it does look like it could be Jacob Lerch, Maggie Lerch, Jacob Lerch, Charles Lerch and Retta Snyder, Male age 75. However, I can see why my friend thought it was our Sorg line, Jacob Sorch, Maggie Sorch sons, Jacob and Charles and possible father-in-law, Better Snyder. The birthdates and places of birth match for our family, with our Charles born in Pennsylvania and his brother, Jacob, born in Baden, but it's definitely a stretch to say it's them. If anyone else cares to take a look and offer their opinion, it's the 1870 census for the 6th Ward, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, page 13. A comparison of the other enties listed with first names starting with L's and the first names starting with S's might help. Again, Roger, thanks for your help. I'm glad I asked, instead of just taking my friend's word for it. I've been burned more than once that way. I'm sorry, but I really don't have enough information on our Snyders at this point to know if they ever migrated to Minnesota or Montana. Best wishes, Sherry

Just as a follow-up to Roger's comment yesterday on how the 1870 Allegheny County, Pennsylvania census for the 6th Ward looked like it could be Jacob Lerch, Maggie Lerch, Jacob Lerch, Charles Lerch and Retta Snyder, Male age 75, instead of my Sorg family, who we believed were living with wife's father, Better Snyder (Schneider). In a letter from my source, he writes: "Yes, I have assumed that Sorch was the 1870 census taker's error, since the 1870 City of Pittsburgh directory listed him as Jacob Sorg, laborer, living at 44 Sedgewick - which is in the 6th Ward in the city of Allegheny. I am amazed that (Sorch) is a real German name. I have found Pittsburgh census records as Sorg, Sorch, Sorge, Sorgg, Sorogh, Sorgs, Sorigh, Sory and Sorrich." Therefore, still seeking information on Jacob Sorg (Sorch) born 1820 in Baden, Wuerttemberg. Also his wife, Margaretta (Maggie) SNYDER (Schneider?) born abt 1820 in Baden, their son Jacob Sorg (Sorch) born 1847 in Baden and Maggie's father, Better (Betta? Retta?) Snyder (Schneider?) born 1795 in Baden. Best wishes, Sherry Shallenberger samc123@zoominternet.net