This website has several great free links to help you find the town in Europe your
ancestors came from and relatives still living there. It also offers you a useful and inexpensive research guide to help you
co-ordinate your search, find basic information, and understand the information you find. It focuses on Germany, but the basic approach has
wider application possibilities -- for example: some documents (esp. those in the U.S. ), the letters in English for getting
information from abroad, and some links, e.g.
"Detailed Maps of All European Countries", "European Genealogy Sources", and "Telephone Directories on the Web: Europe" found under "Great Links" below.
Finding the town your German (and other European) ancestors came from and your rela-
tives still living there may be easier than you think. You may only have to visit a
few links, make a few phone calls, and / or write a few letters, especially if you already know the name of the
town(s) your ancestors came from. If not, this research guide will give you several suggestions on where
to
in Germany (or Europe)
The Author
Your Ancestors Came From The Club
and Relatives Still Living There Great Links
New! This website provides links to more than 20 other exceptionally good free websites
(see great links)
with practically all the information you need and offers you an inexpen- sive research guide
that provides additional information you can't find in the Internet. It tells you where to find basic information about
your family's history, gives many ex- amples of documents and the information contained in them, and helps you
co-ordinate your family history research.
It tells you how
to get the names, addresses, zip codes, and telephone numbers of people with your family name still living in that area. There is a
good probability that some rela- tives are still living there and you can get in touch with them. This is especially true if
your family comes from a small town or village, which is usually the case. There was rela-tively little immigration to small towns
because there was less work there so the people living there with your family name are very likely a part of your family that
stayed there. This book is written specifically for researching German ancestors and relatives but this method could also be used, I would think, to research
ancestors and relatives from / in other European countries. Our book (about 100 pages long) tells you how to trace your roots and
find out exactly where your family came from and tells you how to get in touch with that side of your family still living there. It prepares you for an important,
exciting, and love -filled family adventure. It lists archives, documents, internet sites (see below*), and many other resources
both in the U.S. and abroad to help you in your quest. It tells you where to find them and, in many cases, actual examples
and explanations of the documents, forms, files, (telephone) books, and other material you will need in your search. It also shows you how to read
old German script, if necessary. And it provides sample letters to churches and government offices asking for
information ( in German and in English ) with blanks to fill in the name of the family you are looking for and other in-
formation that may help them in their search. If the church is expected to do the re- search for you, they
may request a small fee to cover expenses. We have included an explanation as to the amount usually expected and how to pay it.
Our book will also give you advice on where to look to find the name and location of the town your ancestor(s) came
from online and / or on paper. Then it will show you how to access name, address, and telephone
number information online
and or get a tele- phone book for that area from AT&T so you can find your relatives still living there. All in all, it is an excellent research guide and well worth $10 (U.S.).
If you would like to buy a copy for yourself or as a present, you may do so by email:
sending a check or money order for $10 + $2.50 S & H (total: $12.50) to:
DANK - FINDING RELATIVES
Attn: Beverly Pochatko
750 EAST TENTH STREET
ERIE PA 16503-1414 USA
Tel. (814) 456-9599
DANK is a national German-American
organization with local chapters. It is dedicated to the preservation of the German language, culture, and heritage. Mrs. Pochatko is one of the national vice
presidents. You can also get information about DANK from her. Please note: this book is intended as a do-it-yourself guide. We are not in the business doing research
ourselves. If it is necessary to return your telephone call,
we will have to do so collect - i.e. at your expense.