I recently received family history info from a now-deceased aunt regarding our Holtz ancestors. I am trying to trace them back to Germany but am having difficulty. I am enclosing the following info as it is recorded in her packet but she often does not list the source of her information. Could someone please steer me in the right direction? Thank you.

Lewis Holtz dob 07-03-1836 in Mecklenburg, Germany (probably city of Schwerin)

Immigrated to Ohio Valley region, was Union soldier and lived/died in Wood Co., WV.

Father: Frederick (sp?) Holtz dob 03-15-1795 Germany
Mother: Frederica Kreuger dob ?-?-1800 Germany
Holtz/Kreuger married ?-?-1834 Germany

Lewis' brothers/sisters:
John Holtz dob 08-04-1838 Germany
Sophia (Holtz) Kornhoff dob 09-08-1840 Germany
Christinia (Holtz) Mooseman dob 09-10-1842 Germany

A typed copy of Lewis' obituary states he immigrated to the US in 1857 at 21yoa. There is no record included of ship/port but my sister has said that Lewis and his father came through Philadelphia. It is unknown if any other family members accompanied them at the time.