There appears in the 1880 census a family headed up by one John Starr living in Toledo, Ohio. His wife is Elizabeth and there are 2 children and what appears to be a brother-in-law named Gottleb Esinger and another young man named Christian Ranknecht. John Carl's birthplace and that of his parents is listed as Wurttemberg. His age is given as 46, meaning a birth year of 1834. This would appear to be your man. I wouldn't be concerned about the lack of exactitude in the census record. They just aren't perfect, at least that has been my experience with them. Hope this will be helpful. Eric Schaal, p.s. I grew up in the Toledo area where there were many Germans from Wurttemberg, including my own family. -----Original Message----- From: baden-wurttemberg-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:baden-wurttemberg-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Cathy Neall Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 10:25 AM To: baden-wurttemberg@rootsweb.com Subject: [BW] Sterr I've hit a wall - maybe somebody can help with this. According to family letters my gr.gr. grandfather John Carl Sterr was born in 'The Kingdom of Swabia' about 1832. My understanding is that at least part of that kingdom was later known as Baden-Wurttemberg. Correct? He married Anna Elizabeth (or Elizabeth Anna) Eisinger mid 19th C., then he came to America before the Civil War, the family following in 1867. They ended up in Toledo. I would like to know a town/district or county where he came from. Haven't been able to find any immigration or emmigration records. Any thoughts? Thanks! Cathy Neall ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BADEN-WURTTEMBERG-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Eric, Thank you! That could explain why I could never find him in the census - I knew he had to be there. I can't get on Heritage Quest right now to confirm, but it seems right. Also, I can't find a Johann Carl Sterr on familysearch.org - but there are other Sterrs (Johann Jacob) from Neckarhausen. What am I doing wrong? I really appreciate your help. Cathy

Kent, Eric, Klaus, Fred, Annette - Thanks for the help finding my Sterr ancestors in Neckarhausen. It was way more than I hoped for. And that is him spelled wrong (Starr) in the 1880 census. Mystery solved. Thank you! Danke! Cathy