My family bible has a character who went to America for 2 years and returned and

Question:In the 1840's .What records would there be of this and is there any records which would show his business going there?
Where will these records be found?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: In the 1840's .What records would there be of this and is there any records which would show his business going there?
Where will these records be found?

Look for passenger lists on ships. He should be listed by name and also destination. It will give his occupation too. During the 1840's there was a huge gold strike in California. Many Australians left Australia and traveled to the West Coast of the US in search of their fortunes. This is possibly one of the reasons your character went to America. Try searching the net. You could start with

www.theshipslist.com/ships/passengerli...

or

members.aol.com/rprost/passenger.html

Ancestry.com is a subscriber paid site ($300) per annum but may give you the info you want. You can also check the archives in your state capital.

You must have a different bible to me.
Mine finishes in 33 A.D.

First, contact older members of your family and ask them if they know anything. They might have been told the stories growing up and can offer you some assistance there.

Othewise, try your local courthouse. Everything is in databases now, so you could search that way. try by name and dates. The people that work there are really helpful too.

Hope that helps! Oh, and hold on to that Bible. That the records are in there at all makes it very special.

Try the web sites below they might just help.

Good luck and good hunting