This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: The_Cohens Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.maryland.counties.baltimorecity/1528.3/mb.ashx Message Board Post: If you are having trouble finding Ellis Island Manifests, then try finding naturalizations records. The Declaration of Intention and Petition for Naturalization are supposed to say town born. And also should include name of ship and date and port of arrival. In my own research on other families, I am finding manifests on which the surnames are totally mistranscribed, but if you know which ship and the date, you may be able to find someone on a manifest by looking at the full passenger list. But be aware there are other blatant mistakes on the manifests as well, so it is best to get more than one record that includes birthplace. Another place to check are Hamburg passenger lists if they embarked from Germany. And if any male ancestors were born 1872-1900, look for their WW1 Draft registration cards. Some versions of that form will tell you town born. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.