Hi all, I was so inspired by Valerie's success, I thought I'd try again to add to the info on my gg grandparents John and Caroline WINKLER. This is what I know: John b. 17 Jan 1827, Germany; immigrated to US 1853 / poss. naturalized 1860; d. 17 Feb 1924, Cuba, IL; bur. Cuba Cem. There was an article about him about 2 years before his death in a local paper, but I have no idea which one or how to find out. His wife Caroline had died in 1896 and he had been married to 2nd wife Mary Catherine HOWERTER since about 1899. I'm sure there was an obit, but where? His surviving sons were Herman and John F. Winkler. I found a note I had made to myself that reads "Joannes Georgius WINKLER / b. 17 Jan 1827 / christened 1 Apr 1827 / Roemisch-Katholisch / Germersheim, Pfalz, Bayern / fa. Michaele WINKLER / mo. Margaretha HENZLER" I not remember making this note and have no idea where the info came from. But, I have learned that Roemisch-Katholisch is Roman Catholic and that Germersheim is a village in Germany near Mannheim on the Rhine River. Pfalz is the area around there and is today called Rheinland-Pfalz. 150 years ago the area belonged to the Kingdom of Bayern or Bavaria. That all makes sense, but I'm not sure where it leads me. I can't find how John came to this country, but I believe he landed in Philadelphia around 1853. I don't know when or how he met my gg grandmother, but they supposedly met after each had immigrated. Both were supposedly from Bavaria. My gg grandmother is a real puzzel. She too was born in Germany 28 Dec 1829 and immigrated to the US. She are John were married in 28 Mar 1856 in Peoria. The info on the marriage lists her maiden name as MANDANS. The Cuba Cemetery book has MATAUS. One of the censuses says she was born in Bavaria. She died 29 Jul 1896 in Cuba and is buried in Cuba Cemetery. I can't even be sure what her surname was. Someone out there must have a clue, but I have yet to find them. There are no WINKLER descendants in that area from this line as both surviving sons each had only one daughter. John F. m. Mary Jane HICKS and had a daughter Anna m. Lee Edward Gray. Herman m. Mary Margaret "Maggie" HENDERSON and had a daughter Avis. I'm hoping there are still relatives in the area who could shed some light on Caroline's surname or add other info about John and clan. I know he came over with other members of his family -- just not who they were. The article I have on him mentions the recent death of his last remaining sibling, a sister, but not her name or where she lived. My mother seemed to think that several WINKLER siblings and possibly even his parents immigrated, but I have no way of knowing. Any help would be greatly appreciate. You see, my own great grandfather, Anton WINKLER, John and Caroline's youngest son, died in 1896 after moving his little family to south Alabama. His young widow and their 3 children maintained contact with John and the brothers after Anton's death and the children were mentioned in John's will in 1924, each receiving $5000. After John's death.... I hope to find a missing cousin out there who can help, or at least some kind soul who can point me in the right direction. Carol in Knoxville, TN