I have also seen researchers write that they had encountered a priest who did not want to look up family records. That is our case - if my father-in-law's sister had not worked in the rectory for 30 years or so, the priest would not have looked for any family records. I know this for sure, because he said so directly, along with a "don't bother me again." This was not a church in Poland, either, it was in Pennsylvania, USA. (I say that because I understand that some Europeans don't fully understand our interest in our roots - that they have lived in essentially the same area for hundreds of years, and don't feel this need to 'connect.') And yet, there are many priests who understand our interest. So, I am asking two things: First, is there a priest who might write something for us to send along with our requests, reflecting a personal experience regarding genealogy research? Perhaps someone has helped reunite a family, or something like that. Secondly, is there a Catholic perspective, here? I know why the Mormons want to identify their relatives, but aren't there Catholic interests in family, roots, heritage, tradition, etc.? What would Rome think about genealogy research? That it is a frivilous effort that takes priests from their work, or that this is an important part of that work. (By the way, I enclose some money along with my requests, which I learned from the suggestions of others.) Ralph Lewis, Harrisburg, PA - rllewis@usa.net (also RalphLewis@aol.com) ***** Researching these families: (Genealogy is my hobby) CHATCHKALEVITZ/KHATCHKALOVITZ (Latvia,Vilna,Svencionys,SouthAfrica,Silale,Kovno,MA) BRUKARZ/BROOKS, ROCHAKOVSKY/ROCKOFSKAYA/ROCKOFF JACUBOVICZ/JACOBSON (Pultusk,Lomza), SALANT, RUDNITZKY, MATZKIN ROSEN (Switzerland, Poland[Pultusk?] ,Russia), SCZUPAK/LEWIS/LOUIS, STENBECK(sp?) KAMYKOWSKI, LENAR/LENART ---------- How well do *you* know Macintosh? Check out the EvangeList web site at: <http://www.evangelist.macaddict.com/>