This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/IWg.2ACIB/552.574.583.584.713.917.1 Message Board Post: Joann, I originated this thread. The Charles Gross I am researching was located in Erie, PA.

I have a lead on some Gross' that match up with what I am researching, from an 1880 census entry that I found but the people were born in France and Alsace. I know that this area is a mixture of German and French and occupation has changed many times over the years. We were told by my husband;s Great-Uncle that the family came from Germany - maybe Black Forest and they were definitely German. So I am leery that this could be who I am looking for. Perhaps there is a chance that the area of Alsace bordering on the Black Forest was occupied by France at the time these people were born. This would be circa 1850. Can anyone direct me to a website or the correct information for that time frame. The name is Martin, or Jacob Martin Gross born in Germany(?) settled in Pittsburgh, PA around 1870. Thanks. Gina