Hi, Gary, thanks for the response to my Horstkotte/Horstkotter/Harstkotte question. But your reply brings me to another question then: Would the guy's NAME have been simply "Horst" with the "kotter" part added on to designate the geographic/property aspect of his landholdings once he got to the US? In other words, I've never been able to figure out where they came FROM, so perhaps he arrived in the US simply as a "Horst" and not as a "Horstkotte" which is what I've been using so far?? (By the way, the A stands for Auguste as far as I can tell.) Any thoughts or leads gratefully appreciated and welcomed. (But I'm going on vacation for a week....so you won't hear back from me for a while if you do give me info!) Gracias~ Sue In a message dated 6/18/08 7:25:38 PM, [email protected] writes: > Hi Sue > There were two Horskotter's (A. and William) who were founding members of > the North St. Louis Chorus which was originated in 1856. They participated in > the North American Saengerbunds (singing clubs) and German festivals. There > was a listing for Hortskotter William, blacksmith, Ws. 16th b. Cass Av. and > O'Fallon Ave.   > Those, whose land was too small for a farm, were called Kotters.  They > generally had no livestock, but only a garden.  > Good hunting > Gary > ************** Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)