In case you haven't been blessed with several emails on the subject, Ancestry.com has extended free access to the immigration database through the end of the year. I wouldn't wait to the last week if you are interested. What you get varies by source. Sometimes it is just a listing which they have transcribed. Sometimes it is a copy of the microfilm. Hint: to avoid endless offers which force you to sign up for a "free trial" if you want to copy the microfilm right click and save image as. You can print it later if you feel the need for another piece of paper to file. Remember, the databases at Ellis Island and, before Ellis Island, Castle Garden, are free all the time but they only go back to 1830 and only for people who came in through NY. http://www.ellisisland.org/ [1892-] http://www.castlegarden.org/ [1830 1913] I do not know why Castle Garden has some records to 1913. Mostly they are through 1890. I suggest using Stephen Morse's search tools for your on your own searches of public databases. http://stevemorse.org/ Cheryl Rothwell