Heinz - thank you! I have contacted the church and also found the websites
for St. Bartholomew and for the town Essen (Oldenburg). This area looks to
be Moorland similar to the Meppen / Twist area in Emsland where my mother's
family is originally from.
In 1872, what is the most likely route from Essen to St. Louis? I do not
know what would be the most likely exit port. Most going to St. Louis
sailed to New Orleans. I know many records were destroyed, but I thought I
might try to locate a ship record.
I read that a person departing in the 1870s would have had to get
permission to leave and also show they had completed military service.
Would there be records for that? What would they be called?
Teri