I do not know about Russian records - but if you ask at your local FHL when you go in - they should be more than happy to assist you in any way they can. Try looking in the Family History Library Catalog - available both on the computer (easiest to use) and on fiche under Russia. This should give you a list of what records the library has available. These records may be books in SLC or may be film/fiche you have to order. But it may also list items available in the library you are in. As for the census records. The FHL you visit should have alot of those films. Ask the librarians to assist you in using the soundex index to try to locate your family. The librarians do not really have time to answer questions over the phone as there are usually many people in the library who need assistance. But they should be willing to assist you when you come in. In our library (Sacramento, CA) you can call and make an appointment to have one of the librarians give you a tour and assist you in whatever way needed. You might try this. Now on to your last question. I do not know about GENCOM. But GEDCOM is a program used to transfer genealogical information from one system to another. For instance, if you go to the library and find information on their computer Ancestrial File or IGI, you can either print the information out and then transcribe it, or you can save it to a disk and use your genealogical computer program at your home to review it and add it as necessary to your own files. If this is your preference (as it is usually mine) you may want to take a floppy with you as I find the library (they can sell you one) is usually out of them. Good luck. Deborah Donegan info@buyersmarketplace.com -----Original Message----- From: McCarthy (by way of Genealogy Records Service <info@genrecords.com>) <ga.mccarthy@mci2000.com> To: GenTips-L@rootsweb.com <GenTips-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, June 22, 1998 11:29 PM Subject: Newbie seeks advice >I joined the list several days ago and have enjoy reading and learning from >all >the postings from the group. I guess it's my turn to jump in too! > >I am researching my father's side first. My paternal grandfather, Charles >FERBER, was born in Kiev, Russia. He came into the U.S. at New York as a boy >with his parents(names unknown at this point) and his sister Pearl. He married >Fanny JOSEPH (American born) whose parents emigrated from Hungary. Charles >died on 11 April 1960. Fanny's Family name might have been JOSEPHOWITZ or >JOSEHWITZ before they entered the U.S. Fanny and Charles FERBER had 4 sons: >Edward, Morten, Harold, and Lawrence. Harold died at birth. My grandmother >Fanny died when my Dad was about 12 (1939?) so we have very little >information >on her. I am awaiting delivery of my parents birth certificates. Any advice >or leads would be very much appreciated. > >There is a LDS - FHC here in Lawrenceville. I plan on going down there this >week. I keep trying to call and get their hours (the center is staffed by >volunteers) but no one ever answers the phone! > >Specific Questions: >1. Anyone have advice or leads on getting records from Russia or Hungary? > >2. What is the easiest and cheapest way to get access to the 1900, 1910, >and 1920 census records? > >3. I see alot of abbreviations and acronyms, I'm trying to learn them as >fast as I can :) What is GENCOM? > >Thanks for sharing ! Barbara ><mailto:ga.mccarthy@mci2000.com>ga.mccarthy@mci2000.com > >______________________________