find out who my great-great-great grandfather really was

Hey, I’m looking for the name of my great grandfather.
Probably in France or Belgium. Does anybody know any good websites for this particular search? I live in Australia now.
I thought it would be easy to find his name but I can’t even find my father in any of the searches.

Much obliged for any hints stearing me in the general direction.

Take it easy =)

Andrew

My paternal great-great-great grandfather died when his children were very young, leaving almost no trace of his history. All we know is from family legend, which has it that he ran away from home when he was a teenager and was cheated out of a silver mine in Nevada. There’s even a rumor that he changed his name. Who was this man? I want to find out!