Through an old family document, "Permission to Go Abroad", issued by the Ev Lutheran Church, Sudargen/Sudargas, Lithuania, I was able to find a film for this place. It was an index film and had the birth info for my grandmother and my great grandmother and children. It is the only film for Sudargen on FHLC. Can anyone tell me if Sudargen was ever part of East Prussia? Sudargen is right on the border. Gustav Halbe (Halb) emigrated in 1868 and said he was from Koenigberg and his wife (listed as Emma) emigrated in 1871 with daughter Johanna and said she was from Lasdehnen (or at least these were their last residences). These towns are now in the part of East Prussia that was given to Russia after WW II. I have researched all relevant documents in the US and only find "Germany" as where they emigrated from. I am hoping someone can tell me how or where to write for earlier records for Sudargen. I have looked on the Meyers-Orts Lexicon and do not find Sudargen nor on Kartenmeister. Can someone give me a clue as how to decipher the info printed in the Meyers-Orts? You can now access this on Ancestry. It lists 7 towns for Lasdehnen and one of them, at least, seems fairly near to Sudargen. I am looking for Lutheran church records. There seems to be little I can find to do research in the Russian East Prussia. Anyone have some links? Does anyone know where the old Ev Lutheran church records might be held if not destroyed in the war or after the war? I understand the Russians did a JOB on this area and I would like to know more about conditiond there now. Are tourists going to this area and is it safe to travel there? Would there be a prime area in present day Germany where the Germans from East Prussia fled to after the war where I might write? Researching HALBE/HALB and PIECK (PYK) Homesteaded in Dakota Territory and lived later in Swanwick, Perry, IL Thanking all who might help me. Lois, Concord, NH --------------------------------- We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love (and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.