Hallo
I am searching for the origins of my gg grandfather, Johann Franz Firle. This much I know:
In 1852, Franz Firle (aged 14, b.1838) and Joseph Firle (aged 22, b.1830) arrived in New Orleans together on a ship from Bremen. I believe they were brothers. Joseph's trade was wagon making and he settled in St. Louis. Franz settled in Illinois and learned the blacksmith trade.
Their birthplaces, as reported in the US census records, were widely varying. For Franz, it was first recorded in 1860 as "Hesse", then in 1870 as "Prussia" and then in 1880 as "Hesse" again. For Joseph it was recorded in 1860 as "Germany", then in 1870 as "Hesse Castle". And on Franz's citizenship papers, I again find "Hessen" listed as he "renounced his allegiance to the 'Kurfürst' of Hessen".
From a marriage record I know the names of Franz's parents: Jacob Firle and Rosa Whitemueller. Unfortunately there is nothing else to go on. Does anyone recognize these names? Can anyone offer suggestions as to how to proceed?
Many thanks,
Myra