I am researching my paternal grandfather, Nicholas LOTZ who was born 10 December 1840 in Hesse-Kassel (per US Census Records) and died 30 May 1895 in New Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, USA. I am seeking any information about his place of origin in Germany and his ancestry. The first definite record I have found that places him in the US is his marriage record: St. John's (Burry's) Evangelical Protestant Church New Sewickley TWP, Beaver County, PA. 9 December 1866 Nicholaus LOTZ of McKeesport, Allegheny Co., PA and Anna Margaretha ZAHN of New Sewickley TWP, Beaver Co., PA. Witness: Nicholaus ROSENBERGER & Johannes LOTZ Minister: E.F. Winter I think that perhaps Johannes LOTZ was Nicholaus' brother and there is a record for his marriage at the same church about a month later: Johannes LOTZ of McKeesport, Allegheny Co., PA and Catherine ROSENBERGER of New Sewickley TWP, Beaver Co., PA. Witness: Nicholi ROSENBERGER & Andreas ZAHN Minister: E.F. Winte Curiously, two other men named Nicholas LOTZ trace back to Seidenroth, Hessen, Germany. They both lived in New Sewickley TWP, Beaver Co., PA. The first.... In the 1850 Census for New Sewickley Township, Beaver Co., PA., there is a family listed as follows: Nicholas LUTZ, age 39, shoemaker, born in Germany Justina, age 32, born in Germany Catherine, age 12, born in "Atlantic Ocean" Mary, age 8, born in PA Margaret, age 5, born in PA NOTE: There is a marriage record for Nicholas LUTZ and Justina SCHUBENEL at Burry's Church (now St. John's United Evangelical Protestant Church) for 16 January 1848. Therefore, Justina is probably not the mother of the children listed with Nicholas in the 1850 census. The link to Seidenroth is contained in the passenger records for passengers arriving from Bremen at Baltimore, MD, USA on 3 September 1838, including: Nicolas LOTZ, last residence Seidenroth, occupation is shoemaker, age 27 Anna Magretha LOTZ, last residence Seidenroth, age 26 Anna Magretha HAUP, last residence Seidenroth, occupation is "old mother," age 60. The second.... Nicholas LOTZ found in Rochester Borough (adjacent to New Sewickley TWP), Beaver Co., PA, USA in the US Census for 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930. Although most census years, his birthplace and that of his parents is listed as Germany, the 1920 census lists his birthplace as Sidenwort, Germany. He was born in September 1867, immigrated in 1883 or 1885, and married a Pennsylvania woman. Aside from my primary question about the place of origin and ancestry of my Nicholas LOTZ, I am wondering if anyone can tell me for sure if Seidenroth was originally part of Hesse-Kassel. Thank you in advance for any assistance. Nancy Myers nancy.a.myers@worldnet.att.net