Jim, I have found 4 relatives by searching the hungarian phone book http://www.magyartelekom.hu/english/main.vm and writing letters to people with the same surname within say 20 miles of my grandfather's birthplace. I do not speak or read hungarian, so I wrote the letters in English. There was enough interest that they found a translator and we have been corresponding (slowly) over the past 7 years. None of my relatives speak or read English, but have found someone nearby to translate my letters. In one case a woman my age is now learning English. Also one of my first letters went to someone that was not related, but they knew the family and gave the letter to a person related to me. I have not had any luck with any message boards or emails....my best luck has come from old-fashioned "snail mail!" My family that I have found is in small villages where internet and computers are just now becoming popular. Hope this helps! Tina Fuzi-Southwick ----- Original Message ----- From: jim575@peoplepc.com To: HUNGARY-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 4:40 PM Subject: [HUNGARY-L] Visits to Hungary/Slovakia Now that this subject has been mentioned, perhaps someone can give me some guidance. I have been to Hungary (on tours, cruises, etc.) which whet my appetite to pursue genealogy of my ancestors. I have detailed records of 2 of my grandfathers' families up through 1895.. but since they both left about 100 years ago the family ties have been broken. As I know of the actual villages, how do I make a fruitful contact with someone there? I do not speak Hungarian but have ventured on my own there and am not hesitant to pursue any realistic path. I have another opportunity to go, but don't want to wander around in strange villages trying to find someone to guide me. Have others found techniques to make the trip worthwhile? I am open to suggestions. Jim Lakatos