This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Hi.2ADE/1057.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: I've got some information for you! I am sure that we are distant relatives with the Holderith name in common. The Holderiths were neighbors of the Ebbings in Sand Creek Township, north of North Vernon. The other neighbors were Streits, Didlingers, Daegers, Hills and Haags - all of which I understand were cousins either through blood or marriage. They were all German/French Catholic families who belonged to St. Anne's Parish and many came from the Alsace Lorraine area in France. The earliest ancestor I have is FRANCIS HOLDERITH, born in Alsace on June 7, 1815. He arrived in Jennings county sometime between 1835 and 1845. Naturalization papers show he left France and arrived in new Orleans in May, 1845. According to oral history he came to the area around Long Branch Creek, returned to France to get his fiancee, Magdaline Henry, and then came back to set up a farm in Campbell Township. (MAGDALINE HENRY came over to Jennings County with Francis as well as her brothers, Peter and John.) Francis is buried in the cemetary at St. Annes. I believe Peter and John settled in the area too. Francis and Magdaline Holderith had a number of children: Frank, GEORGE, Mathias, Mary, Peter, Barbara, John and Margaret (my line is from Mary or Marie Ursula Holderith, so our great grandparents were siblings). George Holderith married Lizzie Ley (b 12/16/1874): Lucy (2/14/1894), Clara (3/22/1896), THERESA (4/3/1898); Albert (11/27/1899), Edward (4/30/1902), and Florence (9/20/1907). Becky Burkert, who lives somewhere near you I believe, states in a family reunion book that I located at the Jennings County Library, "My mother's aunt, Theresa Holderith married an Ebbing." Burkert's Holderith family is the same as mine. We have Francis and Magdaline Holderith all in common. I have lots of information about siblings at the different levels, if you are interested. I envy your being so close to the library and St Annes. I think that if you go to either of those places you could find more information. I'm happy to share some "life on the farm" stories about Francis and George if you are interested. I have Family Tree Maker and can send files if you have same. Please let me know if you can fill in any holes beyond Francis/Magdaline Holderith or if you want some more details.