Kuhn Immigrants to America

Nikolaus Kuhn and Catharina (Schumacher) Kuhn were released from Prussian citizenship for the purpose of emigration to the State of Ohio in North America. The release certificate was signed on 27 April 1886 by the Royal Prussian Government in Trier. The Release Certificate stated that the certificate would "be ineffective if the released persons do not move their place of residence to outside Federal territory within six months from the day of issue of the Release Certificate, or acquire citizenship in another federal state."

Rhynland, Red Star Line steamship - courtesy Norway Heritage

Photo above is part of the Heritage-Ships collection

available at Norway Heritage.

Nikolaus and his family boarded the S.S. Rhynland in Antwerp, Belgium, to start their new life in America.  The journey from Antwerp to New York took one to two weeks in conditions that were far from being first class for most immigrants. Castle Garden was America's first official immigration center and was the predecessor to Ellis Island. Castle Garden records state that the Rhynland arrived at New York on 10 April 1886.

Why is the date of arrival earlier than the date of the release certificate? That seems backwards to me ... it's a head-scratcher that I hope to figure out one of these days.

According to the passenger list, all of the Kuhn family were citizens of Germany, had begun their journey from Wallerfangen, Germany, and had an intended destination of East Liverpool. On a ship manifest totaling 347 passengers, they were numbers 145 through 150 with the following information:

• Nic. Kuhn, age 37, male, a laborer
• Cathe. Kuhn, age 36, female
• Anna Kuhn, age 12, female
• Adam Kuhn, age 11, male
• Mathe. Kuhn, age 9, male
• Cathe. Kuhn, age 5, female

You can read more about their life in America in my Glassworkers series.