Hi All My question today is "how far from the main trunk of our family tree's should we research? Currently I am out to 4th and 5th cousins, is this too far? I appreciate that the answer could be in the eye of researcher, however, what do you greatly experienced researchers think? Thank you John Mandurah Western Australia

John wrote: > My question today is "how far from the main trunk of our family tree's > should we research? > Currently I am out to 4th and 5th cousins, is this too far? I appreciate > that the answer could be in the eye of researcher, however, what do you > greatly experienced researchers think? You set your own parameters. There's no right or wrong way to research a tree or how far to take it back or sideways. I'm currently working with three cousins on a quite complex branch of the family. Two of those cousins are 4th 1 R (4C1R)and one's a 5th. My mother considers a tree should be straight back on the male line only and NOTHING sideways or any females who've married in. There was a researcher who announced on one list he'd completed his tree and was unsubbing. He'd got back to 1837 and the start of civil registration. Since following back some 30 different branches and twigs, some of which are only related by marriage, I've found some fascinating families. Some of them have glorious names, some have interesting lives and some have very convoluted, complex intertwined families. The choice is yours :)) -- Charani (UK) OPC for Walton, Greinton and Clutton, SOM Asst OPC for Ashcott and Shapwick, SOM http://wsom-opc.org.uk http://www.savethegurkhas.co.uk/