This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/jI2.2ACIB/200.2.1.1 Message Board Post: Dani, You are correct on many of your facts about heraldry… but in the last thirty to forty years there has been a renewed interest in genealogy and family coats of arms. It has only been in the last couple of years that I have looked into designing a family coat of arms for my branch of the Morales surname. I will tell you that I have played with many different designs but have not come up with one that my family and I all can agree on. “Decision and action by committee is a slow and arduous path”! :-) I can only provide information and links to sites that can better inform people about learning more about heraldry. These links can address your questions and provide you with more detailed information. Let me know if this helps... Ipsa scientia potestas est = Knowledge itself is power http://www.americancollegeofheraldry.org/acheraldry.html#intro http://www.heraldica.org/faqs/mfaq http://www.theheraldrysociety.com/services/prog.htm http://www.ihgs.ac.uk/ http://www.heraldrytoday.co.uk/\ http://www.heraldica.org/topics/usa/ http://t.webring.com/navcgi?ring=heraldryring;list