Thank you. I find the name Nordfriesland of interest. Both the umlaut and the Ronkendorf look suggest a nordic root. There are Rönkendorfs in Denmark as well. That is why I questioned whether the name was German. I have received coincurrance from both sides that the name is German. I have not looked at a map yet but is Tating close to France? I ask this because my Rönkendorfs moved to French Canada in the last half of the 19th century. When I was a boy, the older folks ( born before WWII) on that side could only speak French. I just find this to be a little curious. Old man Rönkendorf never spoke French in my mother's presence and his wife could only speak English in his presence. This was after living in the US for more than 40 years. I suspect his French was better than his English. His English was thick with Geman accents.