With permission from Kathi Reid who posted this to GEN-COMP-TIPS-L: I've recently descovered a great new tool for using Google. Google Alert lets you automate your Google genealogy queries, sending you an email whenever any new content about your query is added to the Google database. This makes it easy to keep up with your Google genealogy searches. Simply create a set of keywords, and Google Alert will run a search each day, and will automatically send you an email alert when the query produces new results. You are limited to 3 queries, but you can use quotes, math signs, etc, as you would in a regular Google genealogy query. The first alert will send 150 results, and after that, only new content will be sent. I've been using Google Alert for a little while now and have been pleasantly surprised at the results. Not only have I found previously unknown webpages that fit my query, but also Rootsweb mailing list archives that I never would have thought of searching. To take the fullest advantage of the service, use the search settings page to change the number of results you see for each query (although you will only get 150 total results for all of your queries). You can also use this screen to have searches be run automatically each day, or manually when you click the "run now" button. You can also take advantage of Google's advanced search options, by clicking the "more" button next to each query. This displays a form with many advanced search features, allowing you to include or exclude terms, and filter by language, etc. Google Alert http://www.googlealert.com/ For more Google hints for genealogists, go to http://www.searchforancestors.com/archives/google.html -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton