Hi,
I am wondering if could be Herssum parish in Holte? Have seen similar Arens, Ahrens data with ties to St. Louis, Missouri. Have seen the name Ahrens mentioned Emslanders.com. but Borssum (parish in Aschendorf) Per the webmaster.
I wonder if Hildesheim is nearby?
Silly as I think this reply might sound, (and probobly is), I look at names at this website which match my family surnames, or known ancestors inlaws.. many are secondarily from St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois, and click the link to the surname when/if there is one..and I sometimes notice surnames I recognize as witness' or relatives (guessing) to some of my own ancestors. Often I think..well, if not a relative..I'm pretty sure sure my people knew that family, or were neighbors.
Just by looking at known names..ancestors or indirect ancestor names,even without being linked sometimes seems coincidental. And I hink..Coincidental..sometimes coincidences do happen.
Also, am interested in information on arranged marriages in the 19th century.
Barbie
St. Louis