When I was brand new at researching, I made alot of mistakes.... I WISH I had known to: 1. site your sources; use census records, tombstone data, marriage licenses, obits, and DON'T consider so and so's distant relative who "HEARD THAT" as a reliable documented source, use as a guide, but don't depend upon it just because 'they wouldn't lie about it'.... [OR a county history book, for that matter, when it would have been something given from memory.. memories fail, documents don't!] 2. start with your own family info; use and gather what you know 1st hand, and THEN double check with that person if they are living..... work backwards only after you have all the dates and info on those immediate lines.. Don't assume that 'everyone knows that', when chances are, 'everyone in the family' doesn't!! 3. don't SKIP a generation.... that can lead you into a wrong line with much wasted time on someone not connected. 1st line of defense, is the CENSUS, and if you don't have access to the census, find someone who does! There are many of us out here who love to help others with their documentation 4. when posting a query on a mailing list or message board, or personal email, always put the SURNAME in CAPS so that it is easily scanned... and don't forget some birth years [even if they are 'abt', helps to cypher out what decade we're talking about] 5. When posting a query, NEVER PUT THE WHOLE MESSAGE IN CAPS [LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE YELLING] OR all small letters when a surname such as smith is used and you want to make it readable never forget the punctuation cause the reader may not read it the way you need for it to be read many will not even deal with a query that they don't understand or have to take time to figure out whether its smith or jones or maybe brown that you are looking for 6. Always give credit to the person who shared info with you, as the "source" as well as list their email address... even if you later find that it is incorrect, you can contact them back, or when you are 'called' on that info, you will see whether you can use it as reliable documentation or not [people aren't, legal documents are!] If they sent you the census and their info, don't forget to make a note of both of those notes. 7. Don't get so bogged down with one line that it becomes boring or overwhelmingly frustrating, or a brick wall just will NOT come down! Change to another family line, and then go back to the brick wall when you're mind and eyes are fresher.. Don't forget to research the maternal lines, they're harder, but the families can be just as interesting! If you're not having fun with one line, switch to another. 8. If you can, get copies of actual documentation.... Bible records, marriage licenses, Wills, etc. Sometimes a transcription can be wrong... sometimes someone's signature or handwriting will appear... I know when I saw the handwriting of my gggggrandmother who was the daughter of my American Revolution Patriot, it gave me goosebumps! These people ACTUALLY lived! 9. Don't forget to put your info in an orderly way.. invest in genealogy software that you can enter in the data... keep pictures and printouts in notebooks or whatever easy and orderly way of keeping track of the line....recognize that you will NEVER get done with the line, but even if you can put it in a book form of some sort for family members, most eventually will appreciate it, and some will appreciate it right away...sometimes you can get more stories and pictures when members know you're working on the history of the family. 10. If you have older members, have a real conversation with them! Leading questions such as, "did you know so and so?", or 'what do you remember as your favorite Cmas?" can lead you into very interesting stories that you will want to take notes on... you can even get a tape recorder, and lead the conversation.... some people are intimidated by a tape recorder and become uncomfortable, so be prepared with pencil and paper in hand. They will be delighted that someone in the family cares about their memories and them, and you might be surprised at the closeness you will feel towards this older person... Older people tend to care more about family history than we realize, so they are generally always willing to share what they know. I know there's a ton more that I've left out.... what have you all learned?? Lanita