I sent a couple of posts last week that never got there, so here goes. I'll try again. I must have done something wrong twice before, but maybe this will be better. I wanted to give some support for the internet research, but I'm sure the thread is over. Anyway, I do approve. About today's letter. I agree that many of us in the past have been just plain sloppy in our research. I am trying hard to raise my standards and learn to do proper recording and documentation. I think the idea of working together to improve our research is an excellent one. What shall we do first? I know that my biggest problem right now is keeping track of odd bits of information that may someday be useful. I need a way to keep it, sort it and find it. For example, with a family name like Johnson, it is difficult to know which Henry and which Robert I am looking for. I am collecting all the Johnsons I can from the localities I know my ancestors lived in. I figure someday, some of the odd pieces will fit. I am struggling to find a system that will work for me. Maybe this isn't the kind of problem you had in mind, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has an idea or suggestion for me. I used to use RDF on the old PAF, but I want something better. I think it was on this list that someone mentioned the cost of obtaining all the documentation. It is not absolutely necessary to have a hard, certified copy of everything. A copy or a transcription along with a statement of where the original is seems okay to me. Caroline House mscldy@dcn.davis.ca.us -- >From the desk of Caroline House http://house.simplenet.com/mom