Ruth, > I am researching the following surnames in Halesowen. > ... > My research includes dates before 1841. Should I subscribe to a Shropshire > List? All lists have archives that one can search. Access to all Rootsweb lists can begin at: http://lists.rootsweb.com/ Included there is an index to the England lists: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/ENG/ And included there is access to the Shropshire page where, under "Archives", are links to search or browse the list archives: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/ENG/ENG-SHROPSHIRE-PLUS.html You'll be able to see if you have missed any goodies and judge whether a subscription to that list is worth it. This holds true for all Rootsweb lists. Paul, Maryland, USA -- Researching Black Country names: WHITEHOUSE, DAVIS, LEES, SPITTLE, SMALL, DITHERIDGE, BEDDOW, TAYLOR, ASTON, ATTWOOD, RICHARDS, PEERS, WRIGHT. Info on these can be viewed at: http://home.comcast.net/~whitehouse-family/ (best viewed in Mac OS X)