Thanks for responding, Phil. Andreas Joa left Germany in 1868 or late 1867 depending on the length of the voyage. He is said (by family members) to have been a stowaway, found too late to turn back and arrived in New York (???) on or about March 19, 1868. Since he was presumably awol from the Bavarian army and didn't want to serve under the Prussians, he point or origin becomes very cloudy. I have exhaustively researched the Immigrant Ships Transcribers and have looked in several volumes ie Immigrants to America. His naturalization papers contain no information other than renouncing allegiance to the King of Bavaria. He came west upon arrival to become a farmer and as far as I know had no military record. Taxes? Where? If I sound desperate, I am. I've just about given up on his crossing. Anyway, thanks for your suggestions. Roseline in Alberta