Available records show a possible ancestor came from "Duchy of Nassau" to USA in about 1870-1875. I understand most of the former Duchy of Nassau is within Hesse now. Were birth/death records collected from the smaller towns and villages and kept in the larger cities in the 1850's ? If so, what would be some of the main cities or towns in Hesse where birth records might be located for the smaller towns and villages of the former Duchy of Nassau ? Dave F