"----Original Message Follows---- I went to the library and looked for Rittberg on German maps and did not find Rittberg what did Rittberg change to ? It was Rittberg Prussia in 1840 I think it is near BONN Germany thanks for any info Audrey Seattle acbowne1@yahoo.com Audrey, You're trying to go too fast. You can't just jump into German records with some census and muster roll data, and info from a death certificate. Genealogy seldom is successful in going from point "A" to point "D" without visiting points "B" and "C" first. Success comes from being methodical. Researchers have to know three things about an ancestor in order to delve into German records; 1.) Name and birthdate of the ancestor, 2.) Place of origin from a reliable record in the immigrant's new country, and 3.) Names of parents and possibly siblings (as confirming data). This info is needed in the form of "primary evidence," and census data is not considered such. Death records are only primary as to the date and place of death, not to any birth information (or anything else). Finding those three things in census or on-line isn't enough. Researchers have to follow up with research in American records, if only for confirmation purposes. While genealogy requires a ton of common sense, it also requires learning about record types and how to research. How can researchers find the answers they seek if they don't know what record types hold those answers and how to find them? We're not born knowing these things. Checking out a good genealogy "how-to" book from the library is what I always recommend first. If a researcher finds themself getting hooked on it, as many do, then buy a book on American genealogy. Every researcher needs to learn what is considered primary evidence and what is not. If the data needed to find the ancestor in German records is collected, then a knowledge of German records will need to be learned. German record types are different from records in other countries. There are several good how-to books on German genealogy. While you have posted many good questions, a HUGE part of genealogy is learning about the geography and history of the area where ancestors came from. That can't be done asking questions. There is much on-line that can answer those questions by using a good search engine. Obviously, doing the research at a library is even better. On-line genealogy research, for now, is only about 5% to 10% of the work needed if a researcher wants to prove their foreign origins and find the relatives left behind in the old country, much less the current day family. To answer your original question, you should go to the nearest LDS Family History Center and look up Rittberg in "Meyer's Orts." But, truthfully, I think that's being premature for more evidence is needed on what has already been found. Proof is everything. Genealogy without proof is only mythology. Good luck, LGO" Great and calming reply, LGO. Audrey, are the names you're looking for spelled the same on all your documents? I know my GFs name prefectly well, but every document I've received so far (marriage licenses including her own, death certificates, obits, SS applications for 14 children) ALL have a different birth surname for my GM. Some are similar, some aren't, but no 2 match. Grrrr! The only agreement is in her first nick-name. She never went by her formal given name, another complication. My cousin was supposed to help me with the cost of documents by getting the immigration documents and the children's birth certificates, but never did. That'll be my next order to place. Each census and the ship manifest for my GF has different, vague origin information: Pertrikan, Prussia, Germany (I'm told by another lists' members that there is no such place in the German Empire as "Petrikan"). And I've been at this for about 4 months now. I have my mother's side back into the early 1700s in CT and MA as that appears to be well-trod ground, but my father's side is only back to 1891 when my GF arrived in Baltimore. I have so much to do to chase down his 14 kid's doings and families that overseas searching is probably premature for me. I'm here on this list trying to gather how-to advice and learn about resources to seach when I have enough information. Trying to pin down the (fairly) correct name and the real place they came from is crucial. You now have links to at least 3 places to look for current town names - when you're ready. All the best to us both (we make are our luck, I think), Julia _________________________________________________________________ Download Messenger. Join the im Initiative. Help make a difference today. http://im.live.com/messenger/im/home/?source=TAGHM_APR07