In a message dated 3/9/2003 11:06:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: > I live in Georgia, USA and I'm just beginning my research in Bavaria, > Germany on George (or Jacob) PETERMAN b. c1716 Bavaria, Germany; d. 7 Oct > 1791 DE, USA; m. Betia SPRINGER c1734 Bavaria. My PETERMAN line eventually > settled in Taylor Co, GA, USA. Questions: > > Any suggestions as to how I should begin my search for this PETERMAN line > in Bavaria? > > Are there other PETERMAN researchers on this mailing list? > Hello Donna: As mentioned is a previous reply, LDS would be a good source, especially the people search at the on-line site. Also, you can check the Rootsweb Mailing/Surname lists to see if anyone else is researching the family. You will have to determine the town in Bavaria where the family came from before you can start researching the German records. Start with the latest info you have, and work backwards in time. Some records that might mention the town are the ship passenger lists and naturalization records (if you can find them for that early period), marriage, death/obituary, church and cemetery records. The local historical or genealogical society might also be a good source, as they sometimes have information about the early settlers in an area. If there is a possibility that family members fought in the Revolutionary War, those records might be helpful. Records are unfortunately sketchy for that early period, but your local Family History Center might have a copy of the book "Source - A Guidebook of American Genealogy," which contains information about available research sources for this early period of immigration. I'm sure others on the list will have more suggestions to assist you in your research. Good luck with your search. Paul C. Miller