My ancestors hail from the Saarbrucken/Mimbach area. What is particularly intriguing to me is the apparent high mortality of their progeny born in Germany during that period. According to the 1900 US Census, it appears that only 1 of 6 children survived through 1882 (daughter Caroline, born in Saarbrucken just prior to her emigration).

Can anyone suggest some rationale to explain that terrible survival record during that period? I assume that whatever the cause, it was probably a factor in their decision to emigrate to the U.S.

Ancestor: Henrietta Pflug
Birth: Feb 1855
Location: Mimbach/Saarbrucken?
Spouse: Christian Horch
Marriage: ca.1874
Residence: Saarbrucken ca.1882
Children: 9 total, 3 surviving in US 1900 Census
Daughter: Caroline - Christened St. Johannes Basilica, Saarbrucken (Jan 1882)
Emigration: ca.1882 to New York City (preceded by spouse in 1881)
Residence: Manhattan
Death: 28 Jan 1905