The main objective in researching women is to leave no stone unturned. You never know what record will provide you with information. And you never know what record about someone else will provide you with facts on your female ancestors. If you think of your grandmother, for example, in terms of some of her roles in life, you can broaden your research: daughter wife widow mother grandmother sister niece granddaughter friend neighbor Char's note: say in a lot of the revolutionary records, there was usually a neighbor or two that had to witness they knew the person... As a daughter: there may be mention of her in records on her father or mother: check for all records of her husband that may likely name her, such as pension applications. As a Widow: her legal and social status changed, so she may create records under her own name. As a mother: look for documents on her children, such as death certificates that give the mother's name. As a grandmother: she may be living with one or her grandchildren and can be found on a census in that household. As a sister: you may find mention of her in a sibling's diary. As a niece: she may be an heir to an unmarried uncle. As a granddaughter: she may inherit something from a grandparent. As a friend: she may be discussed in a letter. And as a neighbor: she may own the adjoining property and be named in a land deed. ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com