Posted on: Dakota Co. Mn Query Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Mn/Dakota/10658 Surname: Hammes ------------------------- My great great grandfather John (Joannis auf deutsch) was born 3/17/1797 in Gillenfeld, also in the Eifel. How distant are these villages? Is it likely that Georg and Joannis are related one generation further back? Also do you have any clue as to where your family migrated to here in the USA?