JD, I need to qualify things just in case my e-mail was misleading. I did not mean by my use of the of the word "shepherd" that this was the surname but rather that it was the occupation for my ancestor. I am wondering if your 1773 town census for the Schneidemuhle area lists any KRUEGER, PRIESKE (PRISKE) or STEINKE persons. Is this a list that I can access online? Bette > Bette, > I have a 1773 town census from the Pila area and it lists a > shepherd. (Schaefer) > It enumerates him, his wife and one child. > It also states that all of the families enumerated had a garden, plow, > wagon, scythe, > and a sickle. > > One might conclude that he stayed in one locale. > Check for church records to see if the family stays in one area. > > Hope this helps. > > JD