The program allows entry of dates with or without the qualifiers "before", "after" and "about". What possible difference does it make which method you use? Standardization will never happen - it's hard enough to get two teen agers to sit down for dinner, let alone at the same time, so how can millions of family historians be standardized? Just enter it your own way and forget this silly discussion! Earl B. Akers, Sr. Puyallup WA <A HREF="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~banyantree">The Banyan Tree</A>