I have traced my family name (Fredericks) back to 1846 but have now hit a brick wall. Francis Fredericks (surname sometimes listed without the 's' as Frederick) married Jane Traynor (widow) in Plymouth 9th Nov 1846.
In censuses after this he is listed as a Naturalised British Subject born in Nassau Germany around 1820. On the marriage certificate his father is named as Joseph Frederick. Both were mariners according to the document.
How can I go back further without visiting Germany? Are there German ancestry sites about?
I couldn't find him in the 1841 census which leads me to believe he came over shortly after that.

Once he settled in Southampton in the early 1850's he never sailed again, instead he worked as a Docks Labourer.

Cheers,
Dave Fredericks