This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: aaronschnell Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.schnell/195.6.2.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I cannot confirm the town, but my Schnell Ancestors originated in the Pricipality of Isenberg where they left in the mid to late 1700's to migrate to Russia under Catherine the Great's invitation. Many of the volga deutsche people were from this part of Hesse. As were many of the mercenary Hessian troops that fought in the US revolution - several Schnells included. As it is, Isenberg is now a part of Hesse, and we see that Neu-Isenberg is now a part of Frankfurt. The old Isenberg is to the northeast of Frankfurt and surrounds the town of Giesel. I have an old map that demarks this region saved on another computer and may be able to provide it. I have also heard (but cannot confirm) that Schlitzenhausen was a source of Schnells, which is very close to Giesel. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.