Judi, You might also take a look at the wife's family. I show that Jannetje Fries (of of the wives of the various Martinuses) had the maiden name Winterstein. I believe this information came from Bob Smith...but my genealogy software sometimes shifts references on me! The first entry in the Knowlton listing is for Anna Gertraut, daughter of Martinus Fries and _____, witnesses John Wilhelm _____ and Anna Gertraut, wife of Philip Schneider. I wouldn't be surprise if the wife of this Martinus was Anna Gertraut--and that Anna Gertraut Schneider is her mother. Sometimes it helps to start with a theory, then work to either prove or disprove it. To use Marilyn's metaphor, you pick up a lot of pieces of that jigsaw puzzle before you find a fit! Jan