I KNOW the policy and about the superb work of the Medieval group that cleared this particular sector of names. The background discussion I heard was about WHEN the vast majority of Europe began keeping records. It's tangential to the policy, but helped me understand how things developed the way they did. I just can't remember which pope. The Internet sites I've visited suggest that the struggle between Henry VIII, his marriage issues, and the pope of record led to a general order that the parishes must keep records. That would be about 1520-1530 or so. If, so, then in a backhanded way, we owe Henry VIII and the pope a thank you. (Not that it wouldn't have happened anyway.) 1500 was also pre-Renaissance, pre-Reformation in England, when Europe was beginning to emerge from the Medieval Age, so these events may not have been directly related. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2108400/Vatican-exhibition-The-threa tening-letter-sent-Pope-asking-annul-Henry-VIIIs-marriage.html There's an exhibit of documents from this period of time as well. Thanks everyone Jerry ------------------------------------------------- The actual policy is: Pre-1500 names. Because there is already much duplication of this work, members can submit names of persons who lived before 1500 A. D. only by contacting FamilySearch Support at contact.familysearch.org. This does not apply to individuals born before A.D. 1500 in China, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, or Malaysia, who may be submitted without permission. Please continue following Church policies regarding temple submissions, since these still apply in the new FamilySearch. For example, pre-1500 names need Family History Department permission; pre-200 names need permission from the First Presidency; individuals born in the last 110 years need permission from the closest living relative (order: spouse, children, parents, siblings). Refrain from submitting famous people, royalty, or Jewish Holocaust victims, and refrain from submitting names with estimated information or no date or place, which increases the likelihood of duplication. It is better to take more time researching before submitting inaccurate or estimated information for temple work. Shanna __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 6929 (20120301) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com