Glad to see I'm not going to be kicked off the list <G>! I hope I didn't come across as being some "know it all" person who's never made a mistake, because I've made some big ones! I've been on the other side of my "speech" when I first began a few years back. I wanted to respond to some of the comments that have been made... <<<When I started out I "collected" everything and anything off the web and treated the information as "possibilities" and didn't want to lose it. Unfortunately, I also didn't realize the importance of footnoting at that time.>>> So did I! But didn't we learn fast! <<<If everyone waited to post their family trees online until they were totally documented then how many would ever make it online>>> I'm not saying don't put it up there! Just don't put what you don't know as fact! Leave it out. <<<I would rather see Bopeep Unknown than to be thrown totally off by someone so bound and determined to fill in a blank.>>> Exactly! <<<Just family knowledge>>> This can be a dangerous thing (<G>joking here!) But there were several inaccuracy in my own grandmother's bible. It still has to be verified and documented. Or at least put it down as such... Family knowledge, story or legion. <<<Don't know how you keep others from posting your material to internet!!>>> You can't. <<<but to me unless you see the source yourself it has not been checked..this means you have to look at those census images not someones' extraction.>>> Yes! <<<However, I think it is entirely likely that the sources that have stuff wrong meant no harm and would like to be corrected.>>> In most cases, your absolutely right! But one of the people that has the information about one of my families is SELLING his GEDCOM on a CD. I contacted this person 2 - 3 years ago and they are the one that "couldn't recall" where they got the information. <<<"What do you consider your proof positive information when you recieve it?">>> When you see the source with your own eyes. <<<I have found 99 per-cent of people we get a chance to talk to are great..! (Where would we be with out each other! I can't imagine doing this without all you guys.) Some of these people are not able to go to cemeteries and travel, everyone should remember that too., they are either handicapped or not financially able to travel all over the place .>>> That's very true. My mom is disabled so I understand that more than I wish I did... But you can always get out the old pen and paper and write to courthouses, etc. and I've found that historical societies are some the absolute most wonderful people to ask for help. They'll usually go above and beyond to help you find what you need. <<<And you are right - not everything is totally correct in my database either. But.... I note that in my notes and sources. I indicate "I believe this to be so..." or "based on this information it would appear that.... " and when I share that information I tell folks that this is the "best guess" at this time. >>> Right on! <<<I don´t even bother with the "ancestry world tree" ...>>> Ain't the truth! I hope it's all right to recommend a certain publication. I sure wish I'd known about it when I first started out. "Evidence! Citation and Analysis for the Family Historian" by Elizabeth Shown Mills. (No, I don't know her, work for her or have anything to do with it's publication!) This book gives you exact examples on how and what to use to document your research. Like I said, I didn't do a very good job when I began, but luckily, I have copies of most ever single document I've cited (yes... I have one room full of notebooks and papers... don't we all!) so now I'm working on going back and doing it properly. What a job! THANK YOU ALL for letting me voice my thoughts and opinions and I truly appreciate ALL of your ideas and insight. I think we all have a long row to hoe and it's a never ending adventure! Joyce