What is the best way to go about getting information about ancestors from other countries?

This is a great question.  Once you find the immigration of your ancestors, how do you find things past that?  It is difficult, and it depends on the specific area and country, however some basic tips:

1) A lot of countries didn't keep civil records for a very long time.  However, they didn't do it, because they were relying on the churches to do this.  Once you find a hometown (even from secondary-source documents), check out what parish they were in.  Also, know the predominant religions of where they came from  Generally, those from England are going to be Anglican, those from Scotland or Northern Ireland will be Presbyterian, those from Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium or parts of Germany will be Catholic, those from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and parts of Germany will be Lutheran, and those from Holland, Switzerland, and the last part of Germany are going to be Reformed Calvinist.  Those from Eastern Europe will probably be Russian Orthodox, and those from the Eastern Mediterranean will be Greek Orthodox.  Be aware that Jews will be found throughout, but an especially large outcropping existed in Spain (the Sephardic Jews) and Northeastern Europe (the Ashkenazic Jews).

Oftentimes, these religions correlate to where they immigrated in the United States.  Many Baptists and Episcopalians are found in the Carolinas, Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, etc.  Also be aware that Episcopalian is the American equivalent of an Anglican (at least, traditionally), and so Anglicans would be drawn to that.  Congregationalists were predominant in New England (this is the later, American equivalent of a Puritan, so if you have Puritan ancestors, be aware of this possible change).   Roman Catholics commonly settled in New York City, Chicago, Boston and other large areas.  Quakers went where people wouldn't kill them, so Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and New Jersey were the best bets for them.  Lutherans had a tendency to want to get way from cities, even after they immigrated, and an inordinate number of them can be found in Wisconsin, rural Illinois, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa and Washington.  So, if you have their state, look into if you can find their religion, and then maybe preliminarily look in those countries.  Not the best option, but it can help.

2.  Write to the town.  Ask their city clerks what they've got.  It is polite to get someone to translate the letter to the native language, even though the city clerks oftentimes can read English.

3.  Go to the specific section for your specific country in the SLC Family History Library. They know a lot about that country and can point you in the right direction for that country's specific culture and history.

4.  Maps are useful.


Provo YSA 18th Ward Family History, signing off.  Enjoy your Sunday, and give us more questions.