Hi Alistair Others have already said the same things that I was going to but one that I don't think has been mentioned is your non responding back ups Have you tried them in other computers? I have found that some media can be finicky in that it will not open on one PC but will on another, worth a try When you get round to it do use the Ancestry census transcriptions as it can cut down the unnecessary expense on scotlandspeople Best wishes Nivard Ovington, in Cornwall (UK) >I hope this is the right department. If not, silence will confirm it. About >a year ago faced with brick walls in four families, and getting back no >further than the early 1700's, I decided to give it a rest. Some three >months ago after a computer crash in which I lost my entire family tree >programme and all family data, not even being able to view my carefully >preserved CD back ups, I was tempted to scrub the lot, but after following >some threads in this group a spark of enthusiasm was raised. I bought the >latest Family Tree