From: Keithabrook@aol.com > Many thanks to Nancie and to Gilbert.Valerie for their rapid responses > to my queries. Not having had any children of my own, I was unaware > that the maiden > name would be on a child's birth certificate. I am very grateful for > the > information.> With the greatest respect, Keith, and I mean this as kindly as possible, if you didn't know that a birth certificate always contains the mother's maiden name, you really ought to treat yourself to a decent book on genealogy and family history, otherwise you will struggle to proceed much further! This is absolutely the most basic information and I suggest it would benefit you to do a little homework. You cannot learn everything about genealogy by asking very basic and fundamental questions in a group like this. You need to take notice of the experts. The best book is widely acknowledged to be Ancestral Trails by Mark Herber. You may also find it useful to look at my Newbies' Guide on the Internet. -- Roy Stockdill Professional genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE