I have recently begun searching for family information on Yost/Jost GOETZ/GATTS/CATTS/GETTS/GATES in and around Rowan Co. Here is what I have so far. Yost/Jost Goetz, born Prussia. Immigrated to US and dis-embarked probably in Philadelphia. He was married to Anna Maria, (Mary) and her surname is believed to be Walpurga. This couple had 4 sons, Michael, George, John and Philip. Philip I am fairly certain was my 4th great grandfather. Philip's christening record was recorded at the Christ's Evangelical Lutheran church in York Co PA. He was born in 1781. It is believed that when Philip was approximately age 4 years, the family left PA and went to the Rowan Co area. Yost/Jost died in Rowan Co about 1798. I am hoping to find any information about this family in NC. To my knowledge all four sons married in the Rowan Co area. I believe 3 of the sons married sisters by the name of Groves. Philip married Elizabeth "Betsy" Bullion in Rowan Co in 1903. After the death of Jost/Yost the 4 sons left Rowan co, settling for a time in the Muhlenburgh Co KY area. Michael, George and John eventually settled in the area of Sangamon Co IL. I believe that George died at a rather young age, leaving small children. Philip seems to have settled for a time in IN. It was somewhere in Indiana that Michael Gates and wife Catherine Ann (Caty Ann) had a son named Simpson Franklin Gates, born 1837. Frank, or S.F. as he was also called, was my 2nd great grandfather. In 1850 the family of Philip and Michael were both recorded during the 1850 Wayne Co IL Federal Census. By 1860 the family (minus Philip) is found in Lawrence Co MO. After the Civil War ended most of the Gates had moved on to Randolph Co AR where some of the family still lives. I would like to find documentation of Yost/Jost and family prior to his death in NC and or PA. I would be most grateful for any information about this family. Thank you. Gena Gates Lally