
Have you looked into the immigration and naturalization records for your ancestors? It is possible your grandparents came through the port of Philadelphia. My own grandfather emigrated from Zhitomir parish in Volhynia via Hamburg, Liverpool and Philadelphia and worked in the coal mines of Western Pennsylvnia before moving on to Wisconsin in 1913. Often the Germans from Poland and Volhynia sought to settle near other Russian-Germans in the U.S. and often stated as their contact in the U.S. someone from the same village. In the 1890s the ship manifest might have also given a hometown as well as the name of a contact in the U.S. The declaration of intent to naturalize often indicates the name and date of the ship and port of arrival. Even a marriage record might give names of parents, which could help you further in your search in databases. If they were born in Russia, the St. Petersburg index online might indicate their births, but if they were born in Poland in the 1860's you could end up searching endlessly unless you know the parish or town, as there is no general digitized index for Polish births.
Karla Walters

----- Original Message -----
From: Jill Palko <jillbripalko@gmail.com>
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 9:47 am
Subject: [Ger-Poland-Volhynia] Geisbrecht/Giesbrecht/Giesebrecht

> Hallo to all members
> I am new to this site. I am researching the surname Giesebrecht with
> alternate spellings. According to the pastor of the Zion 
> Evangelistic Church
> of Johnstown, PA, the original spelling of my ancestor's name was 
> WilhelmGiesebrecht. He was born 1867, emigrated 1890 from Russia 
> Poland. He was a
> coal miner laborer who lived most of his life in Brownstown Boro
> Pennsylvania USA. His wife was Maria Goertz born about 1864, 
> emigrated 1896,
> died 1917.
> According to extensive searching, and by queries made in Germany, 
> my surname
> is found in the databases of Sochaczew/Warschau and Volhynia. I 
> think I am
> in the right place. If this is not the correct mailing list, I 
> apologizesincerely.
> My ancestors have left me little clues as to their origin, and 
> they have
> become lost to me. My great-grandfather, Wilhelm, disappeared 
> after the
> Johnstown flood of 1936, and I have not been able to locate his 
> place of
> burial.
> If any one has any information about this surname or can offer any 
> help, I
> would very much be appreciative. This has been a long, difficult 
> and lonely
> search. I could really use a hand.
> Thank you to everyone.
> Jill Anne (Geisbrecht) Palko
> 
> 

