MabelHello Everyone.. Hope the New Year is treating everyone well. Might anyone have an idea where the name PITTROFF originated? I understand that names could come from a region or an occupation. My great grandfather was born in Danzig West Prussia in 1861 but I can find ZERO trace of him and/or his family. He died in Paterson New Jersey in 1943 after working in the silk mills (like everyone else at the time I guess!) and I'm wondering if that may be a link to his history in Prussia. Thanks to anyone and everyone who may have a clue.. 'cause I sure don't! Sincerely, Stephanie W. Pack animalloverz@comcast.net

Stephanie, You did not give the first name of your great-grandfather, so I don't know if this is the right family or not in the 1900 and 1930 census. But, if it is, you might want to look for a marriage record of him and his wife Barbara, circa 1894, possibly in Passaic County, New Jersey. The name of the husband in the 1900 census was indexed as Denard, but on the actual record, it looks like Benard. The name of the husband in the 1930 census was indexed as Mariana, and on the actual record, it also looks like Mariana, but was a male, with wife Barbara. I am sure that this is the same family in both census. I couldn't find them in 1910 and 1920. I would check for a marriage record because if the immigration years are correct for both persons, 1892 for Benard/Mariana, and 1891 for Barbara, then they most likely married here in the U.S. I would also check for immigration papers for Benard/Mariana. Even if he didn't become naturalized (final papers), he may have started the naturalization process with his declaration of intent (1st papers), and petition for naturalization (2nd papers). These 2 papers would hold the most genealogical information. In the 1900 census, Benard stated that he had filed 1st papers, probably in Passaic County. Hope this helps, Ruth Pokorny ------------- 1900 census Paterson Ward 6, Passaic County, New Jersey Denard (Benard) Pittroff, head, age 39, married 6 years, born January 1861 Germany, parents born Germany, emigrated 1892, 1st papers Parbert (Barbara) Pittroff, wife, age 33, married 6 years, 4 children, 4 living, born January 1867 Germany, parents born Germany, emigrated 1891 Alma C Pittroff, daughter, age 5, born July 1894 New Jersey, parents born Germany Annie P Pittroff, daughter, age 3, born February 1897 New Jersey, parents born Germany William P Pittroff, son, age 1, born July 1899 New Jersey, parents born Germany Ellise Pittroff, daughter, age 1 month, born May 1900 New Jersey, parents born Germany ---------- 1930 census Totowa, Passaic County, New Jersey Mariana Pittroff, head, age 69, married age 32, born abt 1861 Germany, parents born Germany, emigrated 1892 Barbara Pittroff, wife, age 63, married age 28, born abt 1867 Germany, parents born Germany, emigrated 1891 William Pittroff, son, age 31, born abt 1899 New Jersey, parents born Germany Elsie Pittroff, daughter, age 29, born abt 1901 New Jersey, parents born Germany Martha Pittroff, daughter, age 26, born abt 1904 New Jersey, parents born Germany George Pittroff, son, age 24, born abt 1906 New Jersey, parents born Germany

Stephanie, I just found the same Pittroff family in the 1920 census in Virginia. I am sure this is the same family. They had a son, John born in Virginia in 1910, so they may have moved from New Jersey to Virginia during the 1910 census. --------------- 1920 census Norfolk Madison Ward, Norfolk (Independent City), Virginia Meiron Pittroff, head, age 58, born abt 1862 Germany, parents born Germany, emigration unknown Barbara Pittroff, wife, age 53, born abt 1867 Germany, parents born Germany, emigration unknown Alma C Pittroff, daughter, age 24, born abt 1896 New Jersey, parents born Germany Elsie M Pittroff, daughter, age 19, born abt 1901 (indexed as North Carolina-actual New Jersey), parents born Germany Martha M Pittroff, daughter, age 15, born abt 1905 (indexed as Germany-actual New Jersey), parents born Germany George F Pittroff, son, age 14, born abt 1906 New Jersey, parents born Germany John G Pittroff, son, age 10, born abt 1910 Virginia, parents born Germany ------------ Have you looked for an obituary for Meiron/Marion/Bernard Pittroff? How about his wife Barbara? ------------ **It looks like Elsie Pitroff never married. Maybe her obituary would have some information. Social Security Death Index Name: Elsie Pittroff SSN: 155-20-1427 Last Residence: 07522 Paterson, Passaic, New Jersey, United States of America Born: 19 May 1900 Died: Jan 1972 State (Year) SSN issued: New Jersey (Before 1951) -------------- **This Frederick may be the William listed in the census. Social Security Death Index Name: Frederick Pittroff SSN: 143-07-2800 Last Residence: 07522 Paterson, Passaic, New Jersey, United States of America Born: 15 Jul 1898 Died: Jun 1973 State (Year) SSN issued: New Jersey (Before 1951 ) ---------------- **This may be the George listed in the census Social Security Death Index Name: George F. Pittroff SSN: 143-09-7930 Last Residence: 07470 Wayne, Passaic, New Jersey, United States of America Born: 9 Sep 1905 Died: 18 Oct 1988 State (Year) SSN issued: New Jersey (Before 1951 )