I am still searching for my elusive Grandfather Franz Gajtkowski.  I have found everything I can about him here in Philadelphia, PA, USA.  He is listed as being from Prussia or Prussia/Poland on every document I find for him in the USA.  However, I cannot find him in Poland and I have spent a lot of time and money searching.  1.    At this point I am concentrating on areas of Poland that would butt against Russia.  Is there a possibility that he lived so close to        Russia that the family church was in Russia and not Poland? 2.    My mother told me that Franz had a brother Valentine who was conscripted in the Russian Army.  How do I go about looking for        records or is looking for the town Franz was born in first, the way to go?  I know nothing else about Valentine.  That was the only        time I ever heard about him. I don't know if he survived his time in the Russian army or died while in the army.   3.    I also think that my grandfather was living on manorial lands.  Reason:  My mother said that the male children in Poland who lived        on the Pon's (spelling?) land, were taught to read and write and were taught a trade.  Franz could read and write Polish and was a        blacksmith by trade.   I am planning on going to our main library in Philadelphia to meet with a man I have gotten to know well.  He works in the Map Department and has helped me many times in locating areas that have changed countries, names, etc.  I am going to ask him the same questions and try to find maps for 1861 (the year my grandfather was born, and prior maps.  My thoughts are that I may find some town that have now been searched.    I also mention that in addition to Polish, my grandfather spoke German and I am assuming that is because he was raised in Prussia and not "Poland."  (We all know it was Poland with a fake name!)   Any help that anyone can give would be appreciated.  I am most anxious to learn how to access manorial records.    Thank you.