Jerry wrote: "Can you help me by giving me an idea of how to start to trace my family history?" Jerry: Do the censuses first. Do you live near an LDS Family History Center? Purchase some family group sheets from them and a pedigree chart - five cents each. Then I would start by finding as many of your ancestors as possible by using the census indexes online at Ancestry.com. It costs an arm and a leg BUT I believe all the Family History Centers have subscribed to Ancestry.com. So, use their computers to locate your people on the 1930 census - then the 1920 - and so on. Print them out and put them in a binder. Be sure and tell the FHC volunteers that you are a beginner and need help. Otherwise, they'll leave you alone to do your research. By the way, there is no proselytizing (of the Mormon religion at the FHCs) - not unless you ask. In our area - the FHCs are open the middle days of the week - Tues, Wed, Thurs - in the afternoons and in the evenings. Some are open on Saturdays. If you are not close to an FHC then try a short subscription at Ancestry.com and use it like mad to find your people on the censuses. If you have living grandparents, aunt & uncles then you'll have people to tap for info. Tell them that you would like to build a timeline for your grandparents or whoever. If you have a tape recorder - set it on the table between you and let them talk. Do you have a scanner. Ask to scan their baptism certificates, marriage certificates, etc. and return them immediately - same day if possible. Or take your relatives to Kinkos where you can copy their items while they still have possession of them. Regards Nan 71532.734@compuserve.com