I am looking for whom I think is Johann Becker, which was Americanized to Baker. He came to New York in 1847 with his daughter-in-law, Catherine nee ?. His sons Conrad, Johann, and Heinrich, Heinrich's wife, Mary Anna or Anna Maria nee Walter or possibly Getschler, and their daughter Catherine (born April 2, 1846) came to America through New Orleans. With all this exact information, I am trying to locate where in Germany they came from.
According to the censuses, they were from Germany, Baden, Old Bavaria. The sons of Heinrich stated that the parents were from Rine bier. (Don't chuckle. At one time there must have been a region known as Rhein Bier because many German people have stated that as their place of origin.) In a later census, a son stated Anna Maria or Mary Anna came from Waltzhime. (I am guessing that is the way the census taker thought it was spelled.)
From the recollection of a relative who was in World War II in Germany, the name of the village sounded sort of like Stockpot. The nearest I can guess is that maybe Storchhof near Waldürn, Baden-Wüertemberg. Does anyone have a better guess?
I don't speak German so I have no idea which spelling would be closest to the American for Baker.
Thanks for your help.
Mary