This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: walckfamily Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.carbon/164.341.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi It is believed that Conrad Meckes, the immigrant ancestor of the Meckes/Mackes family in America, came from the Pfaltz region of Germany. In 1744 Conrad made his way to Rotterdam where he boarded the ship "Muscliffe Galley", commanded by Georg Durell, for the voyage to America. The ship stopped at Poole in Dorsetshire, England, and arrived at the port of Philadelphia on December 22, 1744. On the same day, as required of foreign immigrants, Conrad signed the Oath and Qualification to the English government at the courthouse at Philadelphia. Conrad signed his own name as "Conrat Meckes". Many of the other passengers could not write and signed their names with an "X". (Source: Strassburger & Hinke, "Pennsylvania German Pioneers", vol. I, pg. 359 and vol. II, pg. 379.) To date, Conrad's name has not been found in any other records to indicate his whereabouts after arriving in Philadelphia. It is highly likely that he left Philadelphia since his children, Valentine and Eva Cather! ina, and his wife, Anna Christina, appear in church records in Hamilton Township in what was then the northern portion of Northampton County a little over 20 years later. However, Conrad's name never appeared in the same church records and he could have died in Philadelphia. Conrad was my great, great, great, great, great grandfather John A Walck Jr Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.