G'day from Oz, I think it's up to the individual on how far to go with researching side families, but I was reading an article some years ago by an author of family history books, Janet Reakes if I remember rightly, and she said "Why stop at a branch or a tree, when the whole forest is available". I think that if you have the time, space on your computer program and a way of keeping track of all the people from the many families, then go ahead. I have many cousins who are only too pleased to be kept up to date with a family that maybe way off line for my own family, but not too far away from theirs. Also it is possible that you may be able to help out others, who you make contact with at a later date. Ian Cunliffe [from a very unseasonably warm, Victoria, Australia]. ------------------------------------------ * My Main Surnames Research: BILLS (Lancs. 1800-1850) CLAYTON (Yorks. & Notts 1830-1891) CUNLIFFE (Lancs. 1790-1912) CUNLIFFE (Yorks. 1871-1888) CUNLIFFE (Australia 1913 to now) FEARN (Derbys. 1750 - now) PARRY (Lancs & Wales 1850 to now) STOPFORD (Lancs.1850 to 1901] WILSON ( Scotland, Cheshire & Lancs. 1877 to now) * Scottish Connection Names: CUNNINGHAM / LITSTER / GOURLAY / HOPKINS / CARGILL / CLELLAND ( Fife, Scot. 1700 to now) * Other Scottish Names: ANDERSON / BARCLAY / BELL / BROWN / BUDDO / CHISHOLM / CRISP / DICKSON / DUNCAN / DYE / FINLAY / HARLEY / HIMMERMAN / KIRK / LANGLANDS / MARTIN / McVICAR / MENZIES / MOIR / PALLAS / POXON / ROLLO / SCOTT / * Tasmania, Australia Connection: BARKER (Eng. to Tasmania 1840) BRAINE (Berks. to Tasmania 1820 - 1850) EDMUNDS (Notts. to Tas. 1870 to now) MARTIN (Wilts. to Tasmania 1820 to now) NAILER (Berks. to Tasmania. 1720 to now) * Victoria, Australia Names: CHAFER (Lincs. to Victoria 1700 to now) EDMUNDS (Vic. to Tas. to Vic. 1900 - now) EDWARDS (Victoria 1870 to now) GRIFFITHS (Vic. 1870 to 1900) HIMMERMAN (Vic. 1920 to 1980) LEES (Vic. 1850 to now) MARTIN (Vic. 1900 to now) POPE (Vic. 1853 to 1920) * New Zealand Connection Names: EAGLE (Eng to NZ to Aust 1880 to now) GANNAWAY (Eng to Aust. & NZ 1730 to present) MARTIN (Tas. to NZ 1850 to now) + Many Others........ * ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ *