On Tuesday 17 June 2008 5:06:49 am Kenneth Lampel wrote: > I just joined this group, after hearing from my Great Aunt this weekend, > that the Lampel line of my ancestors came over from Alsace-Lorraine area. I > found a Leonhard Lampel that would match my Great-Great Grandfather if I > could find out where he came from. I searched and searched and found he was > on the ship SS Herder, came into CastleGarden, and left form ports Hamburg > or Havre. Does Alsace-Lorraine have any census records like the United > States does?? I am willing to learn French, I know German so sites in those > languges are fine. Thank you for any help. Hi Kenneth - there are a few census records, but nothing like we rely on in US, UK and Canadian research. Finding the village is the crucial bit for success in European research, and you'll need, most likely, to find it here in the US. More on that here: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/02/european-research.html I have collected the best Alsace research links and hints here: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/05/alsace.html I hope this is helpful, Valorie