G G Grandfather from Prussia: how to trace

[Sparkletoes]

Happy 4th:

I am looking for info on my great great grandfather, who from all accounts emigrated from Prussia (perhaps Berlin) in about 1848.  I do not know if the last name he used is the same as it was in Prussia, although it could be because I have found others with that surname.

I cannot find anything at Ellis Island (he settled in New Jersey, where I can find plenty of records) or any other port. 

From a German coworker at work:  German records were likely wiped out during the World Wars, and it is possible that there is nothing to find in Germany (formerly Prussia).

Any one else encounter this?  Any ideas?   Thank you.

[t mo]

hi st and welcome to rootschat 
2 sources that may help family search the Mormon site have several Prussian series of records , on home page click on browse all published collections and scroll down to germen records .
also find my past have germans to America that also may help, if you care to post a name maybe we can help as well .
regards
trevor
ps hope your 4th of july went well .

[shellyesq]

Ellis Island didn't open until 1892, so that explains why you can find nothing there. 

You can try http://www.castlegarden.org/.  www.familysearch.org also has some New York and other passenger lists.  Some people sailed to whatever port was the least expensive for them, including Canadian ports.  From that era, the passenger list will probably give, at most, the country he was from, an occupation, and what country/state he was going to.  If he became a naturalized US citizen, the naturalization records may give a bit more info. 

Did any of the New Jersey vital records give the names of his parents?  Or did he have an obituary that mentioned any other family members?  Searching for any siblings or other relatives who came the US may lead to more clues.

[JustinL]

A vast number of records did survive WWII, so there is every chance that you may be able to trace his lineage in Prussia.

However, you will need to determine his place of birth from the US records such as naturalisation papers.

Can you tell us his name, or the name he used in New Jersey?

[KGarrad]

Don't forget that Prussia included areas that are now part of Poland, Lithuania, Russia and even parts of Denmark, as well as Germany.

That's why it's important to know where the family came from.

It might be worthwhile looking at the Anglo-German Family History Society (www.agfhs.org).

[gmichaelking]

Don't forget that Prussia included areas that are now part of Poland, Lithuania, Russia and even parts of Denmark, as well as Germany.

That's why it's important to know where the family came from.

It might be worthwhile looking at the Anglo-German Family History Society (www.agfhs.org).

KGarrad, thank you for the above website.

Due to your mention, I checked it out, used a couple of links from the site and found Internment records for my wife's Great Grandfather. His internment was a complete blank up until today.

Thank you once again.

Graeme

[KGarrad]

As always, happy to be of service.