I am attempting to trace my family ancestry. Two of my gr-gr-grandparents - Henry Plaenker (b.1837) and Mary Schwader (? Schweduer) (b.1838) - emigrated (he from Prussia and she from Hannover) to the U.S. prior to 1860. They settled in Baltimore, where they had children, including my gr-grandfather, whom I knew as a very young child. I am unable to learn the vessel on which they came to America or the town(s) in Germany where they lived. Can anyone suggest how I can continue my search, please?
John Welch
I suppose that if would be helpful to know where you gave looked for info.
The historic German church in Baltimore is Zion /City Hall. They might be of some assistance.
John Dornheim
NY
Henry died after 1870 and before 1880 as Mary is listed as a widow in
that census. I could not find immigration records for either. Both
Henry and Mary were born in Hanover according to 1880 census. They had
five children: Minnie, Tillie (Matilda) (never married), Johanna,
Henry and Emma. Between 1900 and 1910, Mary remarried a Horst.
Henry may have had a younger brother named Frederick (born in Siglotz,
Germany) who also emigrated to Baltimore with his wife, Elisabeth and
children.
John Dornheim
Hello John,
I would say your ancestors are not easy to find. However, the name "Plaenker" or "Plänker" is somewhat common in Germany. You might look at this:
Foko These are persons who emigrated to the USA.
The German Telephone lists quite a number with that name: http://www.dastelefonbuch.de/ You can see where some Plänkers live in Germany. I'm sorry I can't find much more. I'll keep your search in mind.
Good luck,
Barbara