Kathy, These are all pretty great clues as to the origin of your grandfather. The town of Mitrovica also "Sremska Mitrovica" (today located in Serbia - do Google Maps) was called Mitrowitz in German. As part of the Austrian, then later after the "Ausgleich" with Hungary in 1867, as part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, the area was known by many names: Syrmia (Syrmien), Slavonia (Slawonien), Military Frontier (Militaergrenze) and today is part of the Vojvodina province in Serbia. Given the spelling of his name that you provided, it would make sense that he spoke German. While the majority of the population in this area was Roman Catholic, it is a possibility that he was of a Protestant faith. Just starting out, however, I would assume RC. Given a birth date of around 1870, there's probably a good chance that there are governmental records of his birth. There is almost certainly a church record. Happy to help with more info, if desired. Regards, Mike > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2018 22:38:59 -0700 > From: Kathleen Kennedy <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Subject: [DVHH] Roll Call: Simon > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > > This has been my brick wall for more than 25 years. > > My grandfather Johann Simon emigrated to the United States (through > Canada) in Nov 1905. He left a very complete trail from the time he arrived > in North America until his death in 1937. But I am completely clueless > about anything in Europe. Various documents indicate that he was born > around 1870. His emigration record says his last place of residence was > Mitrovitza. The 1920 US census says he and his parents were all born in > Slavonia. The 1930 census says he and both parents were born in Hungary. > The mother tongue is listed as German. When I got his death certificate, I > found that his fathers name was Nicholas. His mother?s maiden name was > blurred but looks like Koilen. Very old oral history states that he may > have had a sister who emigrated to Philadelphia. I have tried following > that lead but it led nowhere. I have no idea what his religion was. > Do these meager clues fit anyone else?s Simon family or does anyone have a > suggestion as to another direction I could take. > Thank you. Kathy Kennedy from the dry Southwest > Sent from my iPhone > >