Search Nationwide Records A few foreign countries kept nationwide records. Where available and indexed, these records are an excellent tool that may identify your immigrant, even if the record itself does not focus on emigrants. For example, British countries have excellent national records, many of which are being indexed. You must, however, have enough identifying information to recognize the immigrant. Most such records were kept by the government, so in some modern countries, such as Germany or Italy, it is essential to know what former, smaller, country the immigrant came from, at the time of departure. Even distinguishing between Prussia and Bavaria may help when seeking such records. Of course, if the modern country did not exist in its current form when your immigrant left, then there will likely not be nationwide records for that time period under modern boundaries. Search Departure Records One thing is certain, your immigrant did leave their home country, that is what this aspect of research is all about. When they left, records were generally created, and many have survived. Remember, when they left, they were referred to as emigrants (those who leave a country). It is only in the new country that they are called immigrants.