If you haven't a living relative who can provide that information, check archival sources. The world's largest genealogical collection is that of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). The central collection is in vaults deep within the mountains near the church's headquarters in Utah, but local LDS libraries are linked with the main body of material and are open to the public. Look in your local phone book for the LDS Family History Center near you (there are more than 1,000 in the country). The larger centers have microfilmed records of not only U.S. birth records, census records and the like, but copies of foreign genealogical records as well. The centers are not equipped to help you by phone or mail, so make time to visit in person and allow some weeks in the event you can order copies of records.

The National Archives have immigration records including ships' passenger lists dating from 1820. You can write National Archives and Record Service, General Services Administration, Washington, D.C. 20408, and ask for its leaflet "Genealogical Records in the National Archives." You can also check your regional branch of the archives for microfilmed copies of such records. Libraries also sometimes carry published volumes of National Archives records.

Others have, of course, gone before you. In addition to general introductions to genealogy, the following might be particularly helpful for travelers: "In Search of Your European Roots," by Angus Baxter (available from Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21202; 301-837-8271; ask for their complete catalog). In addition to the general "Locating Your Immigrant Ancestor," by James C. and Lila Lee Neagles, you can obtain books and research tools (such as publications of shipping lists) on specific European countries and regions including Scandinavia, Italy, Germany and Britain, from Everton Publishers Inc. For a catalog, write to Box 368, Logan, Utah 84321, or call 800-443-6325.