I am seeking any information on the family names of Kühntopf and Gruenkowsky.
Kühntopf is the spelling on the Hamburg Emmigration documents. Kientop is the Americanized version of the name. Variations of the name are numerous: Kientop, Kientopp, Keintop, Kientopf, Kintopf, Kientoff, Kuehntopf, Kuhntop, Koentup.
Heinrich (who came to be known as Henry in America) was born in 1823. His father was a Russian General who reportedly defaulted to Japan during a conflict and returned to his homeland of Prussia after the defeat. He lived near Friedeberg, Brandenburg.
It is unknown who Heinrich's parents names were or their origin. It is also unknown if Heinrich had any siblings.
Heinrich was reportedly a member of the Royal Imperial Guard (Hussars) before leaving his homeland.
He married Victoria (Flora) Gruenkowsky it is believed in 1859. She was catholic, but they married evangelical lutheran. Her family supposedly fled Russia or Prussia (Poland) during a dangerous time. It is assumed they fled because they were catholic. The family was said to be of royal heritage, with her mother being the Lady in Waiting to a Prussian princess who became a queen. Family researchers believe this was Princess Charlotte. However, this is speculative.
Henry and Flora immigrated to Creston, Iowa, USA in 1877. They came with two children, a son Franz b. 1860; and a daughter Anna b. 1868 (who was called Minnie).
The last name could be Greenkofsky, Greenkowsky, Greincoffie... Gruenkowsky is as listed on Anna Marie's emmigration papers from Brandenburg in 1872.
Victoria Gruenkowsky was born 27 Jun 1836.
Anna Marie Gruenkowsy was born 12 January 1833.
Victoria had a sister Anna Marie Gruenkowsky, who married Karl W. Adolph Pontow. They also immigrated to Creston, Iowa, USA in 1872.
If anyone could assist in identifying any connection, I would be grateful.
