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Archiver > PAALLEGH > 1997-05 > 0862599472


From: <>
Subject: Re: Rebecca Street/ALGEO
Date: Fri, 2 May 1997 14:57:52 -0400 (EDT)


Hi, Betty:

This is a long shot, but why not try looking for the name under B not P?
Sometimes, in early records, the p and b in German names are interchanged
even by native Germans, as are d and t. If someone who was not familiar with
German (such as a census-taker) heard the name Poppenger spoken in a thick
dialect for example, it could have sounded to him like Boppenger, and that's
how it would have been written. If the immigrant didn't know how his name
had been spelled on the census, he would have no opportunity (or perhaps
inclination) to correct the census taker.

I caught on to the possibilities of interchangeable letters while researching
Colonial-era German church records in Eastern Pennsylvania. There were many
instances where the p and b letters were interchanged, etc. Also, many
German names were spelled phoentically by English-speaking officials like
Naturalization officials, etc.

It might be worth a try. The only other suggestion I could offer is to go
through ALL of the 1870 census reels which include the North Side wards
(Allegheny City). A line by line search is sometimes the only way to locate
someone who was not a head of household, but who was living with a family who
was enumerated. The 1870 Census has been published in book form, and there
is a copy at the Carnegie Library in Pgh., in the Pennsylvania Room. Perhaps
someone at the library would be willing to look up Boppenger for you....Wish
I could be of further help. Good luck!

Best wishes,
Laura Cutshall

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