In the state archives for lower saxony, there are several mentions
of Pleiss families with the following concentrations from just south
of Hannover:
Dassel
Krimmensen
Lauenburg
There is also several mentions of Dransfeld which is further south.
Likely, there are Pleiss families all over this area. Additionally, there
are some families listed in Leer (Aurich) and Haseluenne as well
as few other towns.
It is interesting to note that in 1880 the family was living next to a
Conrad Bangemann who came from Süpplingen (near Brunswick).
Has the family been located in the 1870 census? Who are their
neighbors?
Has anyone in the family researched the church records in Steubenville?
Baptisms, marriage and burials for the mother, Louise, the marriages of
the brothers, or the baptismal sponsors of their children?
Has anyone checked the German newspapers in the area for obits
for the mother and two brothers?
Have they found the passenger list records for the twin brother and
mother yet?
Just a few more ideas on how to pin this family's origin down.
Bob Behnen