My Purple Rainbow wrote: > My family immigrated 19 May 1845, > ship "Iowa", and 20 May 1847, ship "Francis Depau". Both were said to > have come from Switzerland, via Havre, France, to port of New York. > Various records indicate/alternate between Switzerland and Germany as > location of births...Is > there any way of determining where they were born, what village, town > or area? How can I learn of the family left behind to gain family > connection?The family surnames were: ZIMMERMAN(n) and VOGT (Foght, > Fought, Vaught, Voght, Voight, Volk, Vought). In the time period in question, ships' lists contain only crude information on the origins of the passengers. You'll have to rely on other (American) sources for that information-- family legend, obituaries, church records, vital records, naturalization records, newspaper articles, local history, etc. Although none of those records are guaranteed to contain the information you seek, the possibility is there for each of them. If a thorough search of the records doesn't pan out, it's important to expand your efforts to your ancestors' social group. Many immigrants joined other family members or neighbors from their hometowns in this country. Find out where others in their neighborhood came from. Examine records for siblings of your ancestors. Leave no stone unturned. Good luck! Kathy