Wow! It seems like this is a very common surname, either because of the size of the family, or because everyone decided to adopt the name.

So far, though, I have found no connection to my own family, though.

Here is what I know as fact: My grandmother's name was Minerva/Mickey/Minna Osterman. She was born on October 20, 1922, and passed away January 20, 1991. She lived in Philadelphia and married my grandfather, Herbert Rothman, and after WWII, lived in Levittown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They had two children, Joseph and my mother, Cyndi.

Here is what I have found, though it is somewhat unsubstantiated. I know that my grandmother's mother was born in Maryland. According to the 1930 U.S. census, there is a Joseph Osterman who lived in Philadelphia, married to an Anna. Joseph Osterman was born in Spitalfields, Middlesex, England to Samuel and Julia (nee Van Gilder) Osterman. They had a daughter, Katherine.

Samuel Osterman's father was Louis Oesterman, Originally from Holland, emigrating to England sometime before 1861. Samuel had ten siblings (that I know of); Rebecca, Martha, Joseph, Solomon, Lipman, Amelia, Juliea, Annie, Issac, and Otto.

Most of this information I had gleaned off of another family tree, the Bensusan family tree, and therefore do not know how accurate the information is. I do know, however, that the Bensusan family is very involved in genealogy and have even published a book.

Nevertheless, I was wondering if anyone has any confirmed connection wtih my grandmother, and if they can substantiate any of this information.

One more point. Though I have noticed that many of your relatives have come from Austria/Germany/etc., I have also found some that have mention that their ancestors had emigrated there from Holland. Interesting.

Anyway, I am very interested in finding my roots. Thank you.

(If anyone does have information about Joseph and Anna Osterman from Philadelphia, I have hit a wall as to Anna's maiden name.)