The John Perz family was from German-occupied Poland - Posen/Poznan. They spoke Polish. In the 1910 census, it was required to write Germany as country of origin, Polish as language; In 1920, it was required to write Poland as country of origin. In the 1900, 1910 and 1920 census, they are living in Angelica, Shawano County, WI; 1900 says Prus Poland; 1910 says German Polish; 1920 says Polish. There are a few Perz records at the Wisconsin Vital Records pre-1907 site which can be ordered. http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/vitalrecords/ Mary the cohens wrote: > There is a separate column in each census that indicates native > language, and also nationality as a separate question from where born. > Did you find this? > > I am interested in Tina's response to your question as my ggrandfather > also sometimes said Prussia, sometimes Germany in records between > 1890-1900. > > On 1/16/10, rinny1@new.rr.com <rinny1@new.rr.com> wrote: > >> Yes, there were several, one said German Poland, one said Prussia and >> another said just Poland, >> >> >>> On Fri, Jan 15, 2010 at 8:52 AM, Tina Ellis >>> <polska.research@gmail.com>wrote: >>> >>> >>>> In the census records you found, did they give you a country and their >>>> ethnic group? This will give you hints on who was ruling their home >>>> country. Remember Poland was not Poland for ca 1920 years. >