Lessons in the "Tracing Immigrant Origins" series have encouraged you by both the methodologies introduced and the wide range of sources that may identify where your immigrant came from in the old country.

These forty - one lessons have only opened the door to the wealth of sources and strategies available, because more sources are being made available, located, or reconstructed every day. Still a few summary techniques might be in order.

Start with the Easiest Immigrant

Begin with the most recent and easiest immigrants. Don't spend too much time on the really difficult cases. You will learn as you go along. Evaluate the case studies of others who have researched an immigrant from the same country. Such case studies can be located in periodicals covering those countries. There are also periodicals which cover immigration studies in general, the names of which were given in these lessons.

Explore the possibilities for each of your immigrants and pursue the ones about whom you have the most information. Over time, more and more indexes and databases will be available to be searched. More records will be microfilmed, and more doors will open (including a door to that overprotective relative who won't share any records with you, yet!). You will in the meantime have become a better and more experienced researcher. Keep your information organized in a safe and obtainable place. If you must pause for now, because your country doesn't have many sources at this time, next month or next year a whole raft of information may be available.