Colleen: Hi, Genealogy research is so much fun and you learn quite a bit about history along the way. I thought I was good in history until I started researching my family. Boy, have I learned a lot! :) You had ask about not requiring birth certificates before 1904 and social security. My mother was born in 1925 and did not have a birth certificate until 1975. It makes you wonder how many of our relatives who may have been born without any type of documentation at all. Maybe some who may not have worked or applied for social security. Make the search even more challenging, as if we need more! Good luck in your digs! I know on this list, there are a bunch of good people just waiting to help when they can. I hope to be one of those who can contribute one day! Paulette Middle Tennessee Surnames: Cathey, Craft, Summers, and many more to be found :)