1 - not using family sheets and pedigree charts. We get lazy sometimes when doing "computerized" research. A majority of us have a genealogy program that thankfully hooks all our names together - husband and wife, their children, their parents, etc. But have we taken time to have that program print off a pedigree chart or family sheet like we used to before the computer era? Or, if we still do our genealogy the "old way" do we skip those forms? It's amazing what we can see (and what we have missed) sometimes. Mistakes will show up if, for example, the father is younger than the son or a marriage took place 30 years before the first child was born (or the mother was 85 when the child was born!) I am totally amazed as some of the family trees on line. As I have mentioned before, one record shows me marrying my husband three times - the last time a year after his death. 2 - Not contacting relatives for assistance. I know it gets discouraging when we e-maill, call or write relatives and they show no interest. Been there, done that as they say. But, with gentle persistence, the researcher can stumble on that kissin' cousin who IS interested. They might just be the one who inherited the family Bible or has a photo album tucked away. Don't give up! 3 - Assuming that no one else is working on your line. This ties in with #2 above. No matter how small your family tree might be, there likely is a twig out there who is working just as hard. As an example: While my parents-in-law were living, I was pretty well forbidden in researching their family. Maybe a skeleton might be found and besmirch someone's reputation. So I had to be very careful in my "snooping" with family members. It was discouraging! After their passing, family came rushing at me. They wanted to know, they were interested and they had information that I was missing. They were just afraid to rock the boat earlier. More later! Sandi --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com