This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: dklart Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.researchresources.brick-20-walls/119.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Matt, You're a newbie searcher, correct? New searchers get frustrated and confused because they lack the basics skills to research, these things can be learned. In short course you can get up to speed, but learning basic skills can't be skipped. This is a basic: Start with what you know and HAVE documented, and work backwards documenting as you go along. You learn by doing, do have your grandparent's marriage, death, birth, baptismal records? Start with the easiest generation first, because as you go back, the paper trail becomes thinner. The census records are indispensable to rough out a time-line and assess locations but will never give you all you need to successfully research your ancestry. The documentation you need to be looking (at the very least) for are BMD records, and you're not going to find it all on the internet. The data you find in other people trees is not documentation, use it with caution and as a guide only. The best thing new searchers can do is read a "how to" genealogy book. It helps understand all the different resources, where to find them, and how to EVALUATE the information you find in them. Taking the time to learn the basic skills will make your journey less confusing and much more enjoyable. Your local library probably has a good selection to choose from and other resources you'll find very handy in the future. Good luck. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.