Good Morning Group!
I have finally managed to track down the birth place of my great grandfather. From his Letter of Intention, dated 22 April 1913, Joseph Preis states he was born in Munich, Germany on December 18th, 1863. He arrived into the port of NY on the vessel CANADA on 19 October 1883. I have this passenger listing. The Letter of Intention states his last residence was Oron(sp?), Switzerland and that he emigrated from Harve(sp?), France probably after a stay with an older brother (name unknown) who was living in France at the time (or so the family stories say. Kinda contradicts the Switzerland item on the Letter of Intention, doesn't it?). He settled in St. Louis, MO. and I have all census listings of his family and his brother's family, Matthew & Theresa Preis, as well as all death certificates from the State of Missouri Death Certificate DB.
From Joseph's marriage registry entry in St. Nicholas Church (Catholic) in St. Louis, MO. his parents were Joseph Preis and Anna Marie Jocham. Anyone have any ideas on what or where to search next to get information about the family in Germany? Family history film to try? On line researches for Munich Germany, perhaps? Family lore says Joe was towards the end of the line in a large family (maybe 10+ other siblings). Matthew Pries, Joe's brother, was born on 06 May 1856. There seems to be a number of other PREIS's in St. Louis. MO in the early 1880's but I have no idea if these are related to my great grandfather.
Thanks in advance for the suggestions.
Joe