How can I find a lost relative?

Question

My greatgrandfather immigrated to the States in 1914. My father's family had no idea if he had ever reached New York. That is up until 2 months ago when I was able to trace him in the Ellis Island passenger records.
However, I didn't manage to find anything else. Can anyone give me a clue of how I can find more info?
Of course he is not alive, but it would be cool to find his offspring!

I' m positive he changed his last name. I say this because since I got your answers I've searched all sites and couldn't find any info about the name I gave. It's logical if you come to think of it. The name is not easy to pronounce in English.
So, what else can I do?
P.S. Thanks for your support.

Answer 1

If he came through Ellis Island then the odds are great that you can find his naturalization records and find out all names he ever used in the US since getting off the boat. If you want to send me his name and all details you have about him, I'll see if we can't find out what's up with him and help you get the records you need. Just click on my profile to send me the email and I'll be glad to snoop for a while.

Answer 2

Hey Amelie,

Wow. Try looking for his death record in Family Search.com and then follow it up with SSA. From those, you get locations, and then use the Living search tools for living family members say in the same town. There are a ton of thoughts in my head about how to approach this problem. GENFORUM, perhaps someone in the family is doing GENEALOGY and is on a surname forum. His records would show if he was traveling with anyone on the Ship Manifest from Ellis Island, that is Free to find. Get his DEATH Certificate if you get a find from SSA or Family Search. The location will be given in Family Search. Then start looing for OBITS in the paper where and when he died. Next of Kin are always listed!

Most of all, do not give up. He had to leave a paper trail. He had to work, his kids had birth certificates, went to school, had a home, etc. Naturalization records for Citizenship, Military records. These are all possibilities. Come back here if you need more help.

Answer 3

Begin with known living relatives, gathering all the information you can about births, marriages, and deaths. Trace this information as far back as you can. Someone may have a record of something they don't even know they have. Family bibles kept with personal information may be helpful.

Contact the State of New York Vital Records Department for any information they may have, and may be able to send you, about anyone with the last name of your grandfather; i.e., property owned, voting registration, cemetery records, etc.

Don't rule out the possibility that you may have to travel to a few places to get any information.

The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints has an extensive geneological library, (these records are not excluse to membership in the Mormon Church)located in St. Lake City, Utah, accessible from some other large cities. Check your Yellow Pages for a Latter Day Saints' church (Mormon), call them, and see what you need to do to access their records.

Good hunting!

Answer 4

Go with Genevieve's answer. The paper trail is out there but don't be discouraged as it may take some time. The net can only go so far and is not the be all end all.

You have his original name right? Post a few queries on the message boards. And most importantly did he ever contact anybody at home?

Answer 5

go to www.genealogy.com or www.myheritage.com i found some great stuff on those sites. but i think to actually see the info on the first one, u have to get a membership and pay for it.

Answer 6

WWW.genealogy.com