My German-American Ancestors

I'm racing the clock to post this before the end of October and German-American month.   Below is a list of my known German-born American ancestors.  It includes their names, birth and death dates, countries of origin, and the sources that gives those locations.  I'm aware that all census information may be inaccurate, depending on who responded to the census taker's questions.  

John Froman  - b. ~1841, d. December 1871

• Hessen - Passenger list of Bremen ship "Julius," arriving in Baltimore, Maryland, on 4 August 1856.  Surname spelled Frommann.  Johann (as he was identified on the passenger list) traveled with Werner, 54; Maria, 21; Anna, 12; Elisabeth, 7; Heinrich, 5; Caspar, 4; and Christiane, 23.  To date I have been unable to document a familial connection between John and the Frommann passengers.  Werner could be the father or uncle of John and the rest.  Or not.
• Hesse Cassel - Naturalization document, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, 9 October 1868
• Germany - 1860 U.S. Census, Hickory Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.  Living with Werner, 58; Henry, 10; and Casper, 7
• Prussia - 1870 U.S. Census, Pymatuning Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania

Frederick K. Gerner - b. 28 September 1848, d. 26 March 1926

• Germany - Passenger list of ship "Cotton Planter," arriving in New York in June, 1853.  Fried., age 4, traveled with [uncertain name], 26, farmer; Anna Marie, 6; Elisabeth, 2; and Carl, 1/2.
• Prussia - 1860 U.S. Census, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
• Prussia - 1870 U.S. Census, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
• Germany - 1880 U.S. Census, Putnam County, West Virginia
• Germany - 1900 U.S. Census, Butler County, Pennsylvania
• Germany - 1910 U.S. Census, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
• Germany - 1920 U.S. Census, Butler County, Pennsylvania

It is entirely possible that the "Fried." in the passenger list mentioned above and the Christian of the passenger list below, are not my ancestors but I've found no other individuals that more closely resemble my great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.

Christian Gerner - b. ~1820, d. 16 February 1899

• Prussia - Passenger list of ship "Hungarian" departing from Havre, arriving in New York on 10 May 1852.  He traveled with Th. Daniel, 28, and Elisabeth, 25.
• Prussia - 1860 U.S. Census, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
• Prussia - 1870 U.S. Census, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
• Prussia - 1880 U.S. Census, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania

Henry Carl Meinzen - b. 25 July 1837, d. 30 December 1925

• Prussia - Naturalization document of 9 October 1871, Jefferson County, Ohio
• Prussia - 1870 U.S. Census, Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio
• Hanover - 1880 U.S. Census, Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio
• Germany - 1900 U.S. Census, Cross Creek Township, Jefferson County, Ohio
• Germany - 1910 U.S. Census, Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio
• Hanover, Germany - 1920 U.S. Census, Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio

Catherine Saylor (wife of John Froman) - b. 5 June 1844, d. 20 December 1928

• Baden - 1870 U.S. Census, Pymatuning Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
• Rhine-Bonn - 1880 U.S. Census, Pymatuning Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
• Germany - 1900 U.S. Census, Lake Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
• Germany - 1910 U.S. Census, Lake Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania
• Rhineland, Germany - 1920 U.S. Census, Stoneboro, Mercer County, Pennsylvania

Elizabeth (or Mary) Stahl (wife of Christan Gerner, above) - b. ~1824, d. after 1880

• Prussia - Passenger list of ship "Hungarian" departing from Havre, arriving in New York on 10 May 1852.  She traveled with Christian, 32, and Th. Daniel, 28.
• Prussia - 1860 U.S. Census, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
• Prussia - 1870 U.S. Census, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
• Prussia - 1880 U.S. Census, Fairview Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania

Knowing the country of origin is good.  Knowing the city or town would be better.  I'll continue research.

--Nancy.

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