Hello Listers...... Looking for any help on finding lost years of my great-great grandfather. Any help would be appreciated. His name was Johann Adam Ripper, He went by Adam Ripper. He was born in Germany in Nov 1837. HE came to America in 1857 with his brother and settled in the Pekin, Ill area, where he married and had one daughter. His wife died shortly after child birth. Adam left his infant daughter MAggie with his brother and his wife, and left Pekin between 1863 and 1865. In the 1870 census, he is in East St Louis, Ill, with his second wife and their two children. He is listed as J. Adam Repper. In 1880 they are in St Louis, MO First Enumeration District, with 6 kids 5 of whom were born in Illinois. We know he married Caroline (Kunniegunda) Hoelzer or Hoelscher in Illinois in 1867. She was born in Illinois, and both her parents were born in Germany. We are sure that their first 3 kids at least were born in East St Louis, Ill area. So, hopefully there are christening records, or birth records somewhere. As far as religion, its another brick wall.......... Adam was born and christened A Luthern. In fact his brother started a Church in the Pekin area. But, he died and was buried a Catholic. All his children married Catholics, but we are not sure of the conversion. It may have been when he married his second wife, but we just aren't sure. So, if anyone comes across them in ANY records, please, please let me know!!! We'd really like to fill in the gaps! Here is the info and dates we have...... Would really love to find theimarraige record, but it doesn't show up anywhere yet! Johann Adam Ripper b. Nov 1837 (germany) D. Aug 22 1922 StL, MO Kundegunda (Caroline) Hoelscher B. 1849 (Ill) D. Jan 2 1930 StL, MO John A. Ripper b. Aug 241868 (Ill) Ferdinand E. Ripper (fred) b. Jan 1870 (Ill) D. Sept 8 1952 StL, MO George Ripper b. Jan 16 1872 (Ill) D. Dec 5 1936 StL, MO Joseph Ripper b. Mar 12 1875 D. Jul 31 1959 StL, MO Mary Ripper b. Sept 28 1877 J. Peter Ripper b. Sept 27 1879 (MO) D. Louis Ripper b. Nov 3 1881 (MO) Phillip Ripper b. Oct 8 1886 (MO) D. Dec 24 1917 StL, MO Maggie Ripper b. June 24 1889 (MO) Helena Ripper b. June10 1895 (MO) There were also 2 more kids, who died as infants, just not sure when!! Thanks for any info! Trisha Ripper Independence, MO