Jim, It would appear that the map of Prussia that you looked at was of the old Duchy of Prussia, which was acquired by the Electors of Brandenburg. Essen is in North Rhine-Westphalia which was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia since at least the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1815). If he arrived as a cabin boy, then it's likely he deserted from his ship, as the usual crewing practice is to sign on for the round trip. Have you searched the relevant "government or police gazette" as deserters were normally reported to the authorities. If his desertion was reported, then it'll also give you the name of his ship. The key to seaman's records is to know the name of the ship and the year involved. The largest merchant navy in the world at the time was the British, which employed thousands of foreigners. It's how my German Great Grandfather ended up in England. There are good records for seamen on British ships. Denmark and Norway are also maritime nations and I believe that they too have good seamen's records. Also, have you thoroughly investigated the Church Records (presumably Lutheran) where he settled? Often there are "arrival" records of new members of the Congregation. Regards David Armstrong Maylands, Western Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim To: [email protected] Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 11:07 AM Subject: Re: [PRUSSIA-ROOTS] Help with surname WORMELL Some other questions I might include are: - What other records might I search that survived the wars, e.g., military records (his father may have been in military), census, district registrations, etc. - Did ships sail to America from Stettin in 1856...or did they sail only directly from other ports,e.g., Copenhagen, Amsterdam, etc. - Were there records kept of seamen in 1856. - I think there were records of people emigrating to the US kept in Prussia during this time. Would he, at 16 years old, bothered to fill one out...if in fact emigration was his plan? Even though he gave up his allegiance to Fredrick William, King of Prussia (as required on the Naturalization papers), he did name his second son after him 25 years later:). Thanks again, Jim > > On Sun, Aug 2, 2009 at 5:39 PM, Jim <[email protected]> wrote: > >> According to my great grandfather's naturalization papers, he arrived >> in Boston, from Prussia, on 29 FEB 1856. He was 15 years old. Family >> story says he worked his way over from Germany as a cabin boy on a >> ship. He never spoke about the "old country". My father said he >> thought his grandfather came from Essen or Stettin. In looking at a >> map of Prussia of 1850, Essen was not part of Prussia so it appears >> that Stettin, now Szczecin, Poland, is possibly a starting point for >> my research. >> >> This is my last line and brick wall of my tree which I have been >> researching for 40 years. I have only come across WORMELL as an >> English name and any records I have seen for Germany/Prussia do not >> show the name. >> Interestlingly, the both witnesses on his naturalization papers were >> from Denmark. Both worked in shipping industry...one as a captain, >> the >> other as the owner of a "employment agency" for the shipping >> industry. >> Both also lived near him in East Boston. My great grandfather was a >> sea captain. >> >> Thank you, Jim Wormelle ("e" added on early 1900's)