<< Niederkirchen, >> Hello John, I used the LDS films and found some of my MELKUS family living in Niederkirchen after they married in 1832. Then 2 daughters were born in 1833 & 1834. If this is the same town, Niederkirchen, it is north of Otterberg and north of Kaiserslautern. Do you have anything in your books about MELKUS, or the family of Walter or sometimes spelled WALTHER. On my record that I have copied is Franz MELKUS marries Maria Elisabetha Walter 1832-then she died in 1939 and by then Franz moved back to Otterberg (around 1836), &Otterberg seems to be his home town. Have you visited this town of Niederkirchen?