Just a note to reiterate what Narda and Beth have said.... I often have offered to help people from America who have no way of getting photos of gravesites or accessing records book which have to be manually checked here in Europe. So don't be afraid to ask! Sometimes just a friendly request will get you a long way. Of course it is always nice when people offer to pay for gas or postage also but for the most part, I do what I can when asked. As an American that moved to Europe, I can tell you that it is not easy and there are so many things you miss the first time around. I came here specifically to find the information of my ancestors. (that was over 4 years ago!) The first time I visited the village where my Great Grandparents were born and married, I thought I had hit a gold mine!! I got copies of their birth, marriage and baptism records as well as all the records for their parents and siblings! But when I returned just for a vacation a year later I realized how much I missed just by not talking to the local town people! There were stories, old friends and relatives to talk to and even fotos!! So even when you think you have it all, look again, and TALK to people! Oh and don't worry about bad language skills... most people in Europe speak at least a bit of English and if you at least put forth an effort to communicate in their language, they will reciprocate and use what English they know for you. Phone books are a great resource but in Europe they are not always reliable. But the local Rathuis is! Everyone in Europe is required to sign in at a local registry when they move into an area and then carry a slip of paper that shows to what zone they belong to. For instance, when living in Berlin if you move from Postdam to Charlottenburg you have to sign out at the Potsdam Rathuis and sign in at Charlottenburg. Best of Luck to everyone! Pamela Splettstoesser <http://www.palettemasters.com/>