Contents include: 1) Struggle for a better life - life in preindustrial Europe; The shift to the cities; New hope overseas. 2) Starting a new life in America - the settling of America, the ocean voyage, Ellis Island and entry to America, Michel Index to marriages. 3) How coats of arms were granted - heraldry and history, the symbols and meanings, searching for heraldry around the world. 4) How names originated - the intriguing story of surnames, what the Michel name means, the Michel coat of arms, the Soundex system. 5) how to discover your ancestors - How to write for official records, searching for your ancestry around the world, the pedigree chart and family history questionnaire. 6) the international registry - the Michel international registry, Michels in the world today, further statistical information about Michels, Michel international directory 7) Bibliography, ISBN13: B0113BDVVY ISBN10: B0113BDVVY Material Type: paperback