Janet - I am an administrator fror the Swiss Surname Directory (SSD). It is usually possible to switch over from one research avenue to any one of a number of other avenues, the choice being determined by the type of data known. Passenger manifests offer one such avenue. Some other avenues are: Other passenger lists Church records filmed by LDS (when hometown is known) Records of passport applications State archives (Staatsarchive) (1876-present) City Registrars (Zivilstandsämpter) (records that are earlier than 1876) Land records (often going back to 1400's). Usually part of notarial records. Notarial records (Notariatsregister) - Includes wills, marriage contracts, mortgages, etc. It is usually a good idea to research thoroughly each line before going on to another. Unless, that is, your available data indicates that another line, or avenue of research, might be more appropriate to the data at hand. For example, since you know that your ancestor's brother came to America in 1854, it is logical that he applied for a passport in 1853 or 1854. Now if you know his full name, it would be appropriate to switch over to requesting a copy of his Passport Document Folder which includes this data: register number application date (d-m-yr) last name and christian name hometown (community of residence) current residence occupation age, height, weight, hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, mouth, chin, face and distinguishing marks, destination, purpose of travel, company, duration, legitimation (certified free of indebtedness). Not all cantons have as complete passport records as the one given above which is for Canton Bern. Also, while Canton Bern has passport records from 1838 to 1864, other cantons will usually have passport records for other periods. While some cantons will have none at all. If you wish to continue your search of passenger manifests let me know and I will send you a list of the URLs for the other webpages. Many of these webpages will provide helpful links to other resources. I suggest you look over each of these webpages before turning to other lines of research. If you wish to switch to an inquiry of passport records, let me know and I will send you the address of the Staatsarchiv having those records (we hope!). In this case I will need to know the canton and, if known, the hometown. Also the full name and age (if known) at time of passport application (estimate the age). Thank you for posting your letter to the List, thereby bringing the DAD webpage to our attention. The DAD webpage looks to be a significant source of genealogical data upon its completion, as well as in the interim. Pete Mattli SSD Admin Clermont, FL [email protected] [3-ggg's] ================================== Subj: [SWITZ] Immigration records Date: 12/7/2002 9:28:08 AM Eastern Standard Time From: <A HREF="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A> Sent from the Internet (Details) List, I'm curious to know if anyone has used the Historisches Museum Bremerhaven Deutsche Auswanderer-Datenbank, www.deutsche-auswanderer-datenbank.de/. to get passenger info for their Swiss ancestors. If so, did you get any information? I know one of my Swiss ancestors went out of Bremen but that was in 1870. I am looking for his brother who came to the USA in 1854. I'm at a loss as where else I can try and get his immigration information. Thank you, Janet