You may get a lot of information from his naturalization records... you did not mention that you had gotten them yet. Massachusetts (I have heard) is one of the few states/places that put an exact place of origin on DOI (Declaration of Intent) and naturalization papers before it was standardized and required by the Federal Govt. in 1893 or 1896. Naturalization records , particularly after they were standardized, are a good source of place of origin. Even if they don't give you the place (just the country) it will give you a time frame you can use to determine what year they arrived. A person had to be in the US for two years before they could file DOI and most did on schedule, tho some waited many years. On the Helpful Hints page the email addresses of all NARA branches are listed. There are many ways to get naturalization papers (local courts, microfilm thru the FHC and NARA), but I have found for myself, to email NARA branch with a request and have them tell me if they have it is quick and simple. If they don't have it , usually they tell you the name of the local court who does. Different branches charge differently, Waltham MA charges $10 for up to 10 people's information at a time, NY charges $10 per person. They will let you know. I have heard that people in the city of Boston do not have their records at Waltham, you have to contact the CIty of Boston for them, but I have no information on that. Just this morning I got a reply from the NY-Varick St Branch (which I need to update as they now take email requests but answer snail mail) where I gave them the info I had on my great great grandfather James McGlynn in Brooklyn -- didn't have much, where he lived in the 1870 census, 1870 listed him as naturalized and a ballpark year of birth. They sent me copies of two cards who matched that info, and yes, one of them was him!! I will be sending my $10 to them on Monday and , while it may not tell me what county he came from (this is not my Waterford branch) it will let me start looking at passenger lists and things with a year of immigration in mind. Most of your sources for place of origin tho are going to be family records , obituaries etc. You may want to check the online courses available thru the IGW home page. Hope this helps you (and the list) Maura ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maura Petzolt Mobile, Alabama USA mpetzolt2@webtv.net ================================= IrelandGenWeb home page http://www.worldgenweb.org/ireland/index.html County Waterford home page http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlwat/waterford.htm Helpful Hints for Successful Searching (under construction) http://www.worldgenweb/ireland/instruct.htm