Colleen, Please let all the "newbies" know how it was in the "old" days. Many of them out there don't remember life before computers. Personally, I began in 1960 with handwritten letters to all relatives, using pencil carbon & onionskin so I had a record of my questions. Didn't even have a typrwriter! True, believe it or not. As always gung ho for my project, I worked both sides of my family at the same time. In six months I had a stack of letters & replies six inches high. It finally came to the point that I designed charts on which to record my findings (strongly resembled forms in use today by libraries & genealogical societies). Lucky for me, I lived within 60 miles of Clayton Library in Houston (now one of the premier genealogy libraries in the country). Also very lucky for me, my husband was very interested in my research. All our vacations for the next 10 years (he died in 1970) involved visiting court houses, distant cousins & tromping thru cemeteries with our Polaroid and a box of chalk. Oh those were great field trips. Lots of chiggers, brambles, & barbed wire fences. Sites we could not have found without help from locals. Anyway, through the years, I finally developed the courage to computerize. Took some time, believe me to put 30 years research onto PAF. Was amazed at how many questions were answered simply by having the ability to flip back & forth so readily. Still have MANY puzzles & unanswered questions. Trying to learn how to use tools available with new computer, scanner, etc. Main message to folks just beginning is "You are in for the thrill of your life watching it all come together". Stick with the 4 H's and forge through the brick walls. You'll be glad you did. We have a great family and and a fantastic gal heading up our Digest. Thanks again for the wonderful Christmas tree. Dorothy HOWELL Carroll ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, 06 January, 2002 12:49 PM Subject: HOWELL-D Digest V02 #6