Thanks, "fhheld," for your message. Just to let the "List" know... Yes, I'm descended from one of the "western Pennsylvania" MECHLING families, and know the "bookstore" MECHLINGs of Butler PA. Briefly, my search for possible records at Lampersheim, stems from perhaps a typo, Lambesheim vs. Lambersheim, however, when one has "hit the brick wall" for as many years as "we / I" have, one tries any and all possible clues. Specifically, "we / I" seek the residence of the family of Debold and Eva (RIEDINGER) MECHLING after they left Hoerdt, Alsace, in 1700. They sold their house, meadow, and forest, and left. No reference has been found to date, saying WHERE they went. Among their children, they had two sons, Diebold (Theobald/Dewalt) and Jacob, who COULD be the two young men that arrived in 1728, at Philadelphia, PA. Lampersheim is in an area heavy with MECHLING people, some since the early 1700s. So, if anyone has any online research suggestions, I'll be OVERJOYED to hear! Best wishes to all, Caral MECHLING BENNETT MECHLING Historical Association Reunion Greensburg, Westmoreland Co., PA August 4-6, 2000