Dear Group, I am new to this site, but not new to genealogy. I am looking for a needle in a haystack. Because of the 1906 earthquake and fire in San Francisco, I have very few documents to search. I am looking for the area of Germany (possibly Bavaria) where the name MAESS originates. This is the maiden name of my grandmother . It is spelled just that way in the church books at Zion Lutheran Church in Oakland, CA . However, I have at least 6 other spellings including :MAES, MAAS, MAASS, MAS, MAYS, MACE, MAESE, etc. Her father was a blacksmith who was, for a time, in New Orleans. My grandmother was born there, but have not been successful at finding any documents there for birth or baptism. She was born in 1847--Yes--that is correct, my father was born in 1885, the youngest child of the five that lived, he died in 1964, leaving no hints or clues as to where his mother's people came from. Sometime between 1847 and 1850, they came to CA on a covered wagon. A child was born to the family in CA in 1853 ( census of 1860 ) no city of birth listed, only CA. Origin country for the father and mother just listed as Germany. We were in Salt Lake City last year, and came upon a record (ship passenger list) of a family named MAESS who came in the year 1833 , destination New York. Cannot seem to connect the family. Although the names are eerily correct, the ages do not seem to work. They are listed as coming from Byram, last permanent residence Byram, name of the vessel, Charles Carroll. Date: 1/5/1833 . Has anyone ever heard that name before ? Can you help ? Thanks in advance. Dee Dee Ross