Whitehead's brother, John (Johann), states his brother, Gustave (Gustav), left Germany 1889 or 1890:

The date stated by John Whitehead for Gustave Whitehead having left Germany (1889 or 1890) matches the length of the apprenticeship (2 years) and Gustave Whitehead's own statement (see below). Gustave told his brother, John (Johann) that he left Germany at age 15 or 16. Gustave Whitehead turned 15 on Jan. 1, 1890.

Differing dates have been mentioned for when Gustave Whitehead (Gustav Weißkopf) left Germany. They range from 1887 (when he was 12) to 1889/1990 as shown above (when he was 14-15). The problem is, after both parents died, the Weißkopf children were divided up and placed with separate foster parents.

Gustave first stayed with his aunt in Fürth. Then, during his machinist apprenticeship, he boarded in Augsburg. He stayed with his grandparents in Ansbach during school holidays. His younger brother, Johann (John), stayed with another family in Ansbach throughout his schooling and "had little contact with" Gustave (see below).

Gustav began his apprenticeship at age 12 or 13. It lasted two years (until 1889/90). Official administrative records show that after his apprenticeship ended, he lived in Höchst am Main, Germany, at the house where the whole family had last lived together, during the summer, from June 28 until August 27. Shortly thereafter, he left Germany.