This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: rworthington Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.software.ftmmac/114.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: gathompson, There are books that might get at your question(s). My first suggestion is to Use all of the Help menu items in FTMM-1. Start with the Free Tutorials. Watch the Family Tree Maker archived Webinars. They are not specifically for FTMM-1, but will help with Family Tree Maker in general. There are a couple of things in the PC version that are not in the Mac version, but the Webinars are very helpful, addressing the questions you asked. After the Webinars, and Tutorials, Read the Companion Guide in the Help Menu. Another Resource, not addressing, specifically, your questions is the Online Help Center / Knowledge Base website. Awesome resource. Learn how to use the Help Menu. It is designed to give you help that is based on where you are in the program. That should get you started. Back Up Often. Test your Back Ups. Before deciding on how to do something, try it out. For example: How do you want to handle an Unknown Name? Each of us has a way to do that. Or at least some of us do, but how do YOU want to deal with it. Try one way, what ever your choice is. Does it work for you at Data Entry? Does the Output work for you? How easy is it for you to find a person who you Didn't know that name for, but think you may have found the right name. Try a couple of ways to handle an unknown name and determine what works best for YOU. Cite your Sources !!!!!! Hope that helps. Russ Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.