This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.de/stellen.europa.deutschland.schleswigholstein/6407.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Schleswig and Holstein are two different areas, so yes there is a difference. And even Prussia was another area. It all depends on the time period you are researching in. The wiki link below explains Schleswig-Holstein quite well. Good luck! Barbara