Hello Jacques and list, Yes, I knew that the agents were many times (MOST times) in it for the money. I had understood that most of them were "locals" and could easily speak the language of the areas, and were hired by American Railroad officials. My other 3 grandparents - all farmers - came from the Empire of Germany - one around Berlin, the 2nd family from Sokolitz, Posen, Prussia and the 3rd family from Bromburg, Kolmar, Posen, Prussia - then to Russia near Kiev to work on Russian farms. Here is their stories: Each of these families were "enticed" by agents who bought the farmers' homes, paid off any bills, and put the money balance into the Port banks. (The agents were ordinarily NOT paid by the farmers but were paid by the American Railroad Officials, who wanted the farmers to locate and develop towns near their new Continental RR line.) There at Hamburg, my ancestors checked in at the port, were given physicals, withdrew their remaining cash from the bank, and boarded their respective ships. Earlier, Bremen had no rules to organize the emigrants' rights and health issues, and many were robbed and many even died on the sailing trip. Later, a Jewish man redeveloped Hamburg Port. I have his photo in one of my family booklets, but I can't remember his name. New rules were enlisted. Sailing prices were set, there was no gouging, and the emigrants were not taken advantage of nearly as often as in the earlier years. BUT, my great grandfather's trip from Glarus had a different scenario. The councilmen (representatives from each of the towns in the canton of Glarus) had voted to send some of their residents to America; it was agreed on. Since they had sent my shirttail relative Streiff and another man to explore America and find a prime place for the "New Glarus", they handled their emigrants differently. A Swiss "guide" from Glarus, helped the families go from their Glarus towns to the coastal port of Le Havre. There, the guide returned to Glarus to give "orientation" to the next group of emigrants. The families - usually in groups of 45-50 - sailed on the ships and when they reached the American shores, there was another Glarus "guide" - sometimes some one whom the families knew - who met the group and lead them overland to Wisconsin. Ralph Post was the Swiss man who met my family group and helped them get to New Glarus, Wisconsin. (The earlier groups traveled by water on the canal system that went all the way to Illinois, and the later groups came on the new Continental RR that was recently completed.) Of course, there are always exceptions and some emigrants arrived at New Orleans rather than the east coast. Regards from Texas, USA Nellie, a 68-yr-old root PS. Remember too that the agents were so bad...many of the folks from the Empire of Germany and surrounding areas had someone already in America who was writing to the Old Country telling their families how much land was available here, and how they could own land and make a living. Thanks again Jacques for your input. It sounds like there were a few options for the emigrants. Jacques wrote: The road from Glarus to Le Havre was principally through Basel and Strasbourg, first up the Rhine and to Holland, or up to Strasbourg by train starting in the 1860s and then on to Paris. When in Paris, they had to change railroad stations for many years. Special emigrant trains were organized which later left from Saint Louis, (Alsace), now France, and would go directly to Le Havre.