Dirck Dietr Gerdes family village?

ow-preussen-l
1

I need help. How do I go about finding the town of this family?

ship manifest information.
embark: Bremen, Germany
     debark: New York
     ship's name: Jenny
Arrival Date: 16 Apr 1869
  Dirck Dietr Gerdes 50 farmer Prussia Ill
     Gretje 53
     Gebke 25
     Ventje 22
     Talke 17
     Dirk 0/11m

I have a lot of information about Gebke and baby Dirk, but no information about what town they were born. I have one 1870 USA census that lists the parents as from Hanover, but no children are listed. Obituary information only lists Germany as their birthplace.

They settled in Woodford County, Illinois

Thanks for any advice. It's all appreciated!

Laraine Wilson Wessels
Peoria, Illinois
lwessels@yahoo.com

2

Dear Laraine,

Subject: [OWP] Dirck Dietr Gerdes family village?
I need help. How do I go about finding the town of this family?

the last name GERDES is still today found mainly in the northwestern corner of Germany, close to the northern part of the Nederlands.
Check for yourself:
Go to Geogen Deutschland (Onlinedienst) - christoph.stoepel.net and enter Gerdes, then take the top option for the display.

That also jives nicely with the first names (Gretje, Gebke, etc.).
If you have the energy, go to a list that covers the province of Hannover [Preussen, Provinz Hannover] (in the neighborhood of the cities of Aurich, Emden etc.)

Good luck
Hanno V.J.Kolbe
France/Old Europe