Hi, I'm new to this list. My Great Grandfather came to America around 1872 as best I can tell. His name is listed as Jacob Rei in the 1880 Census for Hamilton, OH. His wife was Anna Hermann. They came from the city of Lucerne. Their oldest child was named Anna. She was born in Switzerland. My Grandfather, Joseph Matthew Rei (my name sake), was born in Hamilton, OH in 1876. The two younger daughters were Frances and Elizabeth. I've always been told that my Great-Aunt Anna had the name changed from "REY" to "REI" in the late 1890's to get the pronunciation and spelling to sound like "RYE." But when I went to Hamilton, OH in July of 1999 and saw the 1880 Census showing Jacob's name as "Rei" in 1880, I didn't know when the name was changed if it was at all. Can anyone tell me if "Rei" is a common surname in Switzerland, or would it be "Rey?" Also, if anyone has any info on my line I'd really appreciate it. Thanks, Joseph Thomas Rei