Hello to Nancy and the list. _The Source_ (revised ed. 1997) is one of the four reference books I use most often for U.S. research (there are also chapters on tracking immigrant origins, native Americans, Hispanics and Jewish-Americans.) The how-tos for all types of records, and the very useful appendixes listing addresses of various archives and societies, are where I go first with a question. What questions were asked in each federal census? Are there Soundex indexes? The census chapter answers these questions. This is not a book I'd recommend for a family-history beginner; it's a great resource for someone who wants to "get serious" about research. For *beginners*, I'd suggest the splendid research outlines from the Family History Library (LDS Church.) You can print them out (free) on <www.familysearch.org,> or buy paper copies at any Family History Center --prices are 50 cents, 75 cents and $1, all U.S. funds. Prices will be similar in other countries. No one asked, but the other three reference books I use most often are: _Handy Book for Genealogists_, Everton Publishers, now in 9th edition _Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790-1920_, Genealogical Publishing Co. _State Census Records_ by Ann S. Lainhart, also Gen. Pub. Co. Usual disclaimer, I have no financial interest in any of these books. Hope this information is useful to some on the list. Cheers, Dolly in Maryland ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On Mon, 11 Dec 2000 NancysCrnr@aol.com wrote: > Does anyone have any information on this book, The Source.? > Ancestry.com is offering this book along with a subscription and would > like to get an idea if anyone thinks it is really worth the cost. I > believe the book is at least $50.