Dear Fellow Barton Researchers, So much discussion has been shared regarding people having "IGI Sheets" for various states that I think the time has come to FULLY explain the benefits AND limits of this wonderful genealogical tool. The IGI or International Genealogical Index, is a personal name index that is alphabetically organized and that covers persons in all states of the U.S. and many other countries as well. The source of information that is included in the IGI is twofold: first, there are names supplied by members of the LDS (Mormon) church for various church related purposes; secondly, there are names that have been supplied by persons who extract information from SELECTED available records, sometimes county, sometimes state, sometimes census, etc. The IGI contains millions of names, and CAN aid in locating AREAS where families of certain surnames were, and may continue to be, living. The IGI does NOT begin to contain the names of every BARTON (or any other surname) who lived in a particular state or country. The absence of a BARTON name does NOT mean that a particular person did NOT live in the place where records of that person have been located. The inclusion of a BARTON name (or any other surname) with the appropriate given name, MUST be treated with great caution, since the IGI is NOT a primary source of genealogical evidence, and since there have been hundreds of name repetitions from generation to generation. Search the IGI (now available on microfiche and through the Family History Library web site), remembering that it is the largest compiled index in the world, yes, but is ONLY one of many genealogical research TOOLS. Be sure to check the source (batch number or source reference number) of any entry that is followed, and ALWAYS make sure that you take the time to locate the ORIGINAL source of the information. Happy searching, dear Barton cousins..... Sincerely, Janet Ketchum Armbrust At 05:41 PM 10/06/1999 -0700, you wrote: >My gggrandfather, Robinson W. BARTON (b. 9-3-1845), served in the 109th NY Volunteers during the Civil War. This unit was formed at Binghamton, Broome County, NY. He married Sarah Melissa HILL or HILLS around 1870, her death certificate indicates she was born in NY. Another BARTON researcher tells me that the 1870 census lists Robinson, age 24, "farmer", living with his mother Rebecca BARTON (age 58) in Owego Town (Apalachin PO), Tioga County, NY. Also listed are sisters Eunice, Kate and Hattie. Have not been able to determine a birthplace or father's name. Am anxiously awaiting Civil War Pension Records from NARA in hopes more specific info will come to light. In the meantime, I saw a posting regarding the IGI sheets for NY and, while I don't know for sure what IGI sheets are, I wondered if they may reveal anything for me!! I appreciate your time and assistance! > >Lynne Barton Baldwin > > >==== BARTON Mailing List ==== >Any list problems or questions can be sent to the listowner, Christi Calvert Brogan at brogan@idworld.net > Janet K. Armbrust Mount Vernon, WA janetka@fidalgo.net