A Genealgoy Research Example Using FamilySearch.org

A friend messaged me on Facebook

Michael XXXXX - b1809 Germany d1908 Ohio, came to the US in 1841. How do I find source info on his immigration?

He added: 

I can't put this stuff down. Found more info. He and his wife and looks like child - came over in 12 aug 1841 on the Albert ship out of Bremen Germany and arrived in Baltimore. The find references a national archives series number and microfilm roll. 

Now what. How do I get this?

I am guessing he found some of his information on Ancestry.com

https://www.familysearch.org/ Can give him more detailed help. Here is how.

Fill out the basic Search info First and Last name, Country of birth, and year of birth. Good searching technique uses a range not just the exact year. I went 1 year each way.

A new very helpful feature is to select type.

Using "Type" gives better results.





One result was delivered when I clicked search. It was his ancestor. It has an image copy of his naturalization about 7 years after arrival. Pretty cool I say.

Ohio, County Naturalization Records, 1800-1977

birth: Bavaria naturalization: 1848 Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States

The image is the naturalization form. Having this provides all of the information he needs to go and find the full file of his naturalization which will give detail about his history. He should locate the naturalization court named.

Also the entry for his ancestor was the last one on the page. By clicking to the next page we find what is likely his wife and son. His sons name is abbreviated.

There are names ahead of the wife and son, these might be friends or relatives traveling with him.