oldenburg-l - Nachricht 2006-09 00019

[Jazmyne <Jazmyne(a)aol.com>]

I just reread your post, and have a few suggestions:
 
1-    does the ship manifest for Ellis Island give a town of  origin?
2-    go to FamilySearch.org and do a search on the soundex  of Woeltje, and 
see what locations they come up with in their records, then  cross reference 
to come up with film numbers, which you can rent at your local  Family HIstory 
library (Church of Latter Day Saints/Mormans).  If you can  find the records 
for towns for the time period of the birthdates that you  already know, you may 
find your trail.   It may take several films for  you to ''make a hit'', but 
the practice in reading the German church records  will be much needed for you 
to continue back further in your search.  
3-    don't be too concerned with the spelling  issues........prior to 1870's 
in Germany there were no set rules on the spelling  of names.  Pastors tried 
to be consistant, but is was done phonetically  since there weren't very many 
written documents to refer to, and most of the  populas could not read or 
write anyway.
 
I've emailed you personally about my line of WOELTJE's in Illinois.   Please 
don't hesitate to write if you have more questions or would like an  outline 
of what I have on that surname.
 
Linda Schwiesow Nycum
North Palm Beach FL