The wild Rufkahr's

I started looking for my Rufkahr ancestors about 15 years ago. Since then, I have discovered where we came from (Algermissen, Hannover, Prussia, Germany) and that there are 3 branches of the family. The Ohio branch spells their name as Rofkar (pronounced Rafker), the Missouri branch (my direct line) who spells it as Rufkahr (pronouced Roughcar) and an Arkansas branch spelled Rofkahr (pronounced Rofker). There is also an off-shoot spelling of Roughcore from my Missouri line. The family gossip is that he had been in the army and spelled it the way they heard it. Kinda like the stories you hear of name changes at Ellis Island. So while doing reasearch for someone else I stumbled across the military records for my missing great-great uncle. I know people curse census takers for their spelling but this beat them all. The name was spelled as Roefcar, Rofkar, Rofcore as well as several other attempts at spelling the name. All within about 8 or so pages of Civil War enlistment and roll sheets. Oh well...at least I found him. Now if I could just find out where he and his brothers were born I would be a truly happy camper.

It seems that Frank's enlistment papers state that he was born in Maryland (didn't have the courtesy to say where in Maryland), a couple census forms record his birthplace at Ohio, Pennsylvania and Missouri. I joke and tell people I've heard of being born again but 4 times is a bit much! His death certificate, filled out by his son, lists Pennsylvania as his place of birth. Needless to say I can find hide nor hair of his birth in any of these states. Maybe a seance wouldn't be such a bad thing after all! I've tried asking St. Anthony but he's not speaking to me right now.

So if any of you out there know where Frank or his brothers were born please let me know. I'll be in your debt forever!