In America, unless you are 100% Native American, your family descends from immigrants. Researching your family history includes learning about your ancestors’ homelands. Everyday, items are listed on eBay that can assist with your research.

eBay seller owenbooks is offering today a children’s book, “Johnny Texas.” You may ask, “Why would I want a children’s book for genealogy?” I don’t know a thing about this book, but, judging by the photos and text provided by owensbooks, the author must have known about German-American immigrants. The book may give you a better idea about life in Texas for German immigrants.

• TIP: The above paragraph is intended to remind you to seek information in unlikely sources. I found it by searching for “German Immigrants.”

The same search also brought me to an item identified as a “Primitive German Immigrants domed chest,” dated 1858, offered by antstreetgallery. While there’s no surname inscribed in the chest, I can only hope that somebody has a family photo to compare to the item photos and wins the bid.

Of course, that would assume that the family has a historian searching eBay! Don’t miss out on lost family treasures!

• TIP: After you search for keywords related to your family, click on the link in the top, right corner of your screen that says “Add to Favorite Searches.” Now eBay will email you when any item with those keywords is listed.

Books, books, and more books! My own shelves are full and the piles on my desk keep getting taller! If you’re like me, finding your ancestors listed in a book makes them more real. Beyond finding their names, though, we need books to learn about our ancestors’ lives. John’s Genealogy, Georgia Genealogy, and auby239 are a few of my favorite book providers.

• TIP: If you find a seller that seems to frequently offer items you like, you can save them as a favorite seller. While viewing an item for sale by that seller, click on “Add to Favorite Sellers.” You’ll get emails, if you wish, to alert you to new items from that seller.

Another item up for bid is a book titled “The Irish in Iowa,” offered by iowahistoryiowa. Most states and counties have a “History of,” or similar, book. Do a little bit of hunting! Some sellers may not be aware of the counties that were heavily settled or populated by immigrants, such as Benton County, Missouri.

• TIP: When searching census records, be sure to check neighboring counties and towns. In 1850, the census enumerators in Benton Co, MO erroniously listed several families in the wrong townships.

Immigrants frequently had their own newspapers. Ken’s Historical Relics, among many other sellers, is offering several immigrant related items. Of particular interest to German descendants may be the St. Louis newspapers titled “ANZEIGER DES WESTENS.”

TIP: Do you know the migration route of your ancestors? Search the newspapers! Immigrants passing through or settling in an area was regularly reported in the paper.

Of course, you can search eBay for Ellis Island. Unless you want to hunt through hundreds of items, narrow your search by adding a surname, country of origin, or year. You may even find a photo of your ancestor!

• TIP: Ellis Island was open between 1892 and 1924, according to their website. Prior to Ellis Island, Castle Rock was established in 1855 as an immigration center. It wasn’t until 1819 that the U.S. government passed any immigration laws.

• TIP: Some passengers did not pass through Ellis Island. Wealthy passengers may have been processed aboard the ship and allowed to disembark directly to Manhattan. They should still be able to found on the passenger lists.

Read my blog and other guides for more tips, resources, and items I stumble across during my own research. If you have a suggestion or comment for my guides, please post it on my blog. I am always pleased with feedback!

Michelle (Siler) Roux

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