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Ferdinand also traveled to Germany in 1903 and I believe he went by himself.  I believe his first wife, Caroline, died June 11, 1920.

My great grandfather, Ferdinand Maier, was born in Germany around 1863. I believe it was in the village Neuhausen, near Stuttgart.  His father's name might have been, Michael.  When he emmigrated to NY he lived the rest of his life in NYC and the Bronx. He married twice (Caroline 1st, and Dorothy (2nd).  He was a mason (bricklayer) and had four children: Dora, Ferdinand Jr., Henry and Joseph. He died in 1937 and Dorothy was still living in 1940.  I am trying to find out more about his life in Germany before he left around 1881. He would have been around 18. Did he have brothers/ sisters? Did he travel alone? Apparently, the passenger list burned at Castle Garden. Any help/ direction would be appreciated.  As an adult he did travel on two different occasions to visit Germany, but always returned to NY. My father and grandfather never talked about him. I wonder why?

That is good information. Is the record available online? Frank Kiernan was my grandmother's brother.

I have worked on family history and then got away from it. I am beginning again. My father, Frank Joseph Maier (b. January 10, 1920)grew up in the Bronx. His father was Joseph Maier (b. August 13, 1896) and his mom, Mary Kiernan (b. June 21, 1897) . Her father was Patrick Kiernan (b. about 1864 and married June 21, 1894) who immigrated from Ireland. Her mother was Ellen Grimes (b. about 1894) also from Ireland.  I have Bridgett Kiernan as Patrick's mother, but I am not sure. Any help?