We're Krauts

We've always believed Stroock was a Dutch name. Well, after extensive research we can find no evidence that Samuel Stroock* (arrived Philadelphia, 1856) was Dutch. In fact, on the 1880 US Census, Samuel listed his birth place as Filehne Germany**, to Schlomo and Mina Struck.  

This is in direct contradiction of written Stroock family lore which states Samuel left from Rotterdam. Also, Stroock is an obviously Dutch name we have been told by various Dutchmen. At this point we theorize that Samuel changed the way he spelled Stroock, and the Dutch thing is just a coincidence. There'd be no reason why in 1856 someone would want hide being German, and certainly not in Pennsylvania of all states. Also, we believe Samuel booked passage from Rotterdam only. Which makes some sense.

The other names in the family tree, Neuberger, Loeb, Herzog, are blatantly German. Guess we're all Kraut now.*** We feel a vague but persistent urge to drink beer and don some really sharp Hugo Boss German army outfits. 

*Great, Great grandfather who begat Mark Edwin Stroock I, who begat Irving Stroock, who begat Mark Edwin Stroock II, our grandfather

**It's Poland now

***On our mother's side we are Brit all the way, English, Scots, Scotch-Irish, and some Irish