Dear Oldenburg List:
I wish that I could read German! However, I'm still hoping you can help me.
I am researching my great great grandfather - Frederick A. Gerken. He was
born about 1822 in the Duchy of Oldenburg. I believe he immigrated to the
United States in 1839, probably leaving from Bremen and arriving in
Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He settled in Cumberland, Maryland, and was
naturalized in 1847. He moved to Taylor County, West Virginia, USA, in the
early 1850's, and died there in 1879. He is buried in the Old Catholic
Cemetery in Grafton, West Virginia.
I believe he had two brothers who also immigrated to the United States.
Henry H. Gerken was born about 1823 in the Duchy of Oldenburg, and
immigrated to the United States in 1842. He, too, came to Cumberland,
Maryland, and was naturalized as a citizen. He eventually settled in
Nebraska. John William Gerken was born about 1826 in the Duchy of
Oldenburg, and immigrated to the United States in 1849. He was also
naturalized in Cumberland, Maryland, USA, and later settled in Baltimore,
Maryland, USA.
Any help you can provide as to the origins of these three men who I believe
to be brothers, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Todd Gerkin
tgerkin@gmail.com
Greensboro, North Carolina, USA