To America It appears that some time in 1850, when he was 18 years old, Philipp Neff made the decision to emigrate to the United States. Before he left, he asked the pastor of his church for a copy of his baptismal record. A marginal note [Randvermerk] in the Geburtsregister that includes the record of Philipp Neff's birth and baptism indicates that on 18 August 1850, he was provided a certificate of baptism [Taufschein] prior to his emigration.
To the right is the marginal note added to Philipp Neff's baptism record by the pastor in Höchst im Odenwald. In German it says: "Taufschein zur Wanderung, 18 Aug. 1850." Translated this says: "Baptism certificate to emigrate, 18 Aug. 1850."
Even though Philipp obtained a copy of his baptism record in 1850, it appears from official records of the Grand Duchy of Hessen that he did not receive permission to leave until some time in 1853. Saying farewell to his sisters and aunts and uncles, Philipp would have traveled cross country nearly 500 miles to the French port of LeHavre. There, Philipp boarded the ship Globe and along with 353 other passengers began what would be a long voyage to New Orleans. (No image of the Globe has been located.)
	As the ship Globe prepared for its voyage to New Orleans, a list of passengers was prepared. Included in it was a "Philipp Neff," age 21. This person was from "Bavaria," embarked at "Havre," and was listed as a "farmer."  Philipp Neff would have been 21 years old and likely was a farmer.  He was not, however, from Bavaria. It seems highly likely, however, that this was Philipp Neff from Dusenbach. Copies of pages from the passenger list can be found here: page 1, page 4, page 9.
A newspaper notice in the ______ __________ of _________ shows that the Globe arrived on 7 November 1853.	Newspaper item image to be added.
Philipp Neff was now in New Orleans. It is not clear if it was his intention to go farther, such as up the Mississippi River to meet relatives in the Midwest, but regardless, Philipp Neff remained in New Orleans for the rest of his life.
Go to next section: Life in New Orleans, Part I (1853-1862)
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