Dear List Members,
A great thanks to all who took the time to answer my query re the German term "Riemengeselle" especially Diether Caspritz, Jane Rasmussen, Frank Horn & Wolf Z.
Based on the explanation of the term I am somewhat doubtful that the passenger list entry that I found & that I am considering as the entry for the emigrant of my focus, is the correct entry and therefore the correct emigration database.
It has always been my understanding that the emigrant of my focus, William (Joh Friedrich Wilhelm) SCHWANDT born 19 February 1836 was in some way connected to the Prussian military before he emigrated to North America ca. 1850-1864.
Perhaps I am looking in the wrong place, for his emigration information, when I look at the Brandenburg Emigration Passenger Database, since I believe SCHWANDT to have been born in the area of Stettin, Pommern; perhaps in a place named "Brusewitz".
Best wishes,
Bette