As a new member of the list I would like to introduce myself. I am Jerry Dittman of Boonsboro, Maryland; born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. I am researching my grandmothers ancestors in the Wipperfuerth area. My grandmother was Mary RAAB daughter of Kilian RAAB and Emilie ZELZ. Emilie married Kilian 30 Jan 1860 in Allegheny City, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Emilie ZELZ was born in Wippperfuerth, Koeln, Germany 08 Dec 1840 a daughter of Henry ZELZ and Cath. HUCKENSTEIN. I believe that they emigrated to the US about 1858 when Emilie was about 18 years old. I have a photograph of a gentleman taken in Pittsburgh in the late 1800s. This photo is identified as a 3 great grandfather ALPERT, no first name given, of Mary RAAB. I also have a reference to a Feargott ALPERT in Kilian's Civl War Pension application. As far as I can determine this Alpert would be the father of the mother of either Henry ZELZ or Cath. HUCKENSTEIN. Looking for anyone researching these families or who may have some information on them. Also would appreciate any assistance on researching these names in Wipperfuerth or Koeln, Germany. Jerry Dittman Boonsboro, MD