I was doing some digging at Rootsweb and discovered this list. I am hoping my question falls in the category of 'acceptable' for this list. If not, I apologize in advance! =-=-=-=-=-=-= I have been trying to find both the when my great great grandparents arrived in the US and where they came from. I stumbled across a database of baptisms from a church in Chicago stating they came from 'Trier'. I have someone researching for me in Germany but she's not having much luck. I understand Trier is both a 'region' as well as a very old and very large city. One of the daughters-in-law came from the area as well. My researcher came across a large population of those with the surname 'Faymonville'. So far, she's not had much luck with finding Mathias Brand or his bride, Anna Marie Franzen. What I know about Anna Marie is that she also had a sister, Clara. The ladies could have had a brother named either Mathias or Mathew. They could also have had a cousin with a surname of Boesen. I am certain Mathias Brand and Anna Franzen married in the US (but this is still a guess on my part...) From looking at their death certificates, I am also guessing they arrived in the mid 1850's. What is interesting about this couple is that they named one of their sons, John Valentin(e) Brand. I have found a few references to the given name, Valentin and/or Valentine Brand but have no way to connect them with my ancestors. Unfortunately, the only record I am aware of which would provide ALL my answers was destroyed in the Great Chicago fire of 1870. I'd love to hear from anyone with suggestions. Better yet, I'd love to hear from anyone with a connection! Jeannette Harper Email: [email protected] Web: http:freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~budlink

Hi all, I got stuck with my great-great...grandfather Christoph Heidenreich. He came to Ixheim, near Zweibrücken, in 1783 and died there on 26 January 1794. But in the churchbook of Zweibrücken the priest wrote that he was born in "Niegend = Novigadensium, Erzbistum Trier". According to a relative who made researches on him 20 years ago, this is not possible and must have been an error of the priest. He rather thinks Niegend could be Noviand near Bernkastel-Kues where closely resembling names can be found, but he is not sure at all. Has somebody any idea about towns called "Niegend"???? Thanks for any help Barbara France