I offer what informaton that I have to help those who may not have access, either time or distance problems, but still want to research their heritage. When I started out a few years ago, I faced the same situation. I was very fortunate to meet a person who set me on my ways and here I am. I do not know if it is against Rootsweb policy to endorse any one product, but here goes anyhow. I use Family Tree Maker Program for my files and reference. why; Once you get the program up and running and have loaded your basic informaton, you can access all the CD's that they produce , from your own home. FROM YOUR OWN HOME. It costs. But by the time you add up high cost gasoline, babysiters, ect to travel to a place with limited hours for your use. It is a bargan. When I mention a CD , like #11, Griffiths Valiation of Ireland wher Fermanagh was completed in 1862,two years prior to it being published. if you are subscribed to their program, just punch in CD 1`88 and you have access to the same informaton on the disk. Is it worth it ?? EXAMPLE' You have a townland name. Thats all you got. With CD 188, you enter that townland in the space provided and it will tell you, the county, the Parish, all the people that lived there in 1862 if they were renters or owners. Another CD is about Irish immigrants.. It gaives a manifest number for each ship and will list everyone on that ship to see who sailed with your ancestors. No more travel time to be scheduled, and it is on teh web 24 hours a day, no matter where we live in the world. The basic program is 29.95. includes their three disk index of everything that they have produced. Make sure you get the latest version, 8.0