Yes you can write in English. No do not send a self-addressed envelope and an international reply coupon. Since you know her father name you can ask for a copy of the page from the Family Book showing 3 gererations of Bertha family. They are allowed to do this only for a direct ancester that is why you must say she is your great-grandmother. Keep the letter short. Kent In a message dated 2/10/2009 4:00:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, niamh343@earthlink.net writes: In a message dated 2/10/2009 11:44:40 AM Eastern Standard Time, niamh343@earthlink.net writes: Hello, I am researching the family of my great-grandmother, Bertha Russ Fukan, Her father was named William (I presume Wilhelm) Russ and my grandmother told me she was from Stuttgart. According to her 1949 Scranton, PA death certificate, Bertha was born in 1872 and I have passenger manifests of 14 year old Bertha Russ, from Stuttgart, coming to the USA in 1885 as well as 20 year old Bertha Russ of Württemberg arriving in the US in 1890. I believe either of these young ladies could be my great-grandmother. I would be truly grateful for any information at all that anyone might be able to give me on Wilhelm and Bertha Russ. Many thanks for your time! Best regards, Rebecca Olenchak Since Bertha Russ was born after 1871 her birth records should be available from the Stuttgart City records. The cost is about $10 which you pay after receiving the records base on what I paid a few years ago. State that she is your great-grandmother and try to give the month and year of birth. There address was Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart Standesamt D-70161 Stuttgart Germany Kent Schach >> Many thanks, Kent! I don't speak, read or write German; will they accept requests in English? Also, did you include a self-addressed envelope and an international reply coupon with your request? Thank you again! Rebecca **************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards. AOL Music takes you there. (http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi00000002)