I would like to find out what the spelling was and why it was changed and then how to go about the tracing back. Seems it was Maier from Germany Went to Ottawa and Rock Island, IL. Heard name was Maier to Mier when son went to school. Then it was spelled Meier, Myers and .......... Meyer in the City directories. I have Joseph Valentine Maier b. 19 Dec 1854 Germany Came to America 1860-61 Naturalization paper reads Myer Married Mary-Marie Helena Scheuermann-Sherman. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to go about finding them before this time frame? I have been looking at passenger lists and message boards. Thanks Judy