This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: TOPLIFF - WEBER - HERSHEY - TREASTER - MCCRAE - GRAHAM - CUNNINGHAM Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/DYB.2ACE/2368.4.1.1 Message Board Post: Frances - As for why they came to the U.S. - I've been avidly researching Germany the past three weeks to find why my ggrands came to U.S from Germany in 1848. Actually, there was no Germany at that time. The area that became The German Empire was divided into small principalities/districts before 1871. The area had been decimated by continual warfare, laying waste to homes, crops, etc. That is why there was such a huge German influx into other countries, including the U.S. Young men were conscripted to fight for the local prince, much of the population was consumed by starvation and disease. Have you looked for a passenger list with your ancestors, or an 1880 Census list? If not, write me offlist at [email protected] and I will share some urls with you and addresses where you might write to find the information you are seeking. Jan T.T