Johann Luken Jurgens Ehmen Goldenstein was born in 1814 in Wrisse, Ostfriesland, Germany, where he died in 1891. He was married in that same location to Tjode Anna Focken (Tammen). Some things I learned about research and life from Johann:

• last names can change. Johann came to adulthood when patronyms were in a state of flu. His father’s last name was Ehmen. His patronym was Jurgens. The name of Goldenstein came from the inn he purchased. It is always important to understand the naming practices of the area where your family lived.
• parents advocate for their children. Johann wrote a letter to local officials requesting that his 16-year old son be allowed to immigrate because he had a sister who had already done so and because the son was too small to serve in the Prussian military.