Hi All, Years ago when I lived inSanta Cruz, CA our Gen Society sponsored spring & fall genealogy seminars. I taught beginning colass with examples of my own work, how to gather materilas, importance of copies of records for: birth, death, marriage, land military cemetery, etc. and support each fact from 2-3 sources. Like birth: baptism, birth certificate, headstone, military etc. Always had at least one person who said "Oh, ours is all done, by my great-aunt...." Then I would ask did she quote records, Vols, page, courthouse, etc for facts or supply actual copy & invariably person would get Any thing valuablepoofed at me!. I know every patriotic society requires proof of gen-gen thru records in order to be accepted as member. Some are hard to complete & they give you 6 month to year to complete an application. I had to prove back for 10 generations when I joined the Jamestowne Society. But it is another way to have your records there for anyone to see. Andything worth while is worth working for. take care, Meredith G.