Ken, I had ancestors in Itzehoe. I obtained excellent information from the church holding the parish registers. I sent them an enquiry letter in German. There are some Web sites that provide standard enquiry letters in German. Be sure to ask about not only your named ancestor but also any of his or her family in their records. I also enclosed two International Reply Paid postage certificates. They charged a fee of DM80 (4 hours at DM20 per hour) but that was over 10 years ago so maybe someone else on the list could advise you on current charges in Euros. Here is the address for the parish records: Kirchenbuchamt des Kirchenkreises Muensterdorf, Heinrichstrasse 1, 25524 Itzehoe Germany. Good luck. Warren in sunny Brisbane, Australia KEN'S E-MAIL wrote: Just another newbie. Julie, do you have any information on Holstein? My ggrandmother was from Itzehoe,Holstein, Germany (Anna Bertha Stabe), and immigrated to Davenport, Iowa, around 1869-70 with her husband Robert Wilhelm. [snip]