Hi Bill, I couldn't agree with you more. Having visited less than one tenth of the number of courthouses, etc that you have (at a guess), you are right on target! The amount of "destruction" done in the name of research is appalling. One of the reasons I haven't had to go to as many sites as you for my research is because you and others have already done it for me. And, I am eternally grateful! If the genealogical societies can keep afloat by selling CD's of information that was given to them by volunteer researchers, I'm all for it! Many of us find it difficult to travel to where the records are archived. Even if we can do so, having a CD that we can pop into our computers in the middle of the night is very appealing. Thanks for all you do and please, don't ever be shy about "telling it like it is". The truth never hurts anyone. Iris Iris F. Reily ifreily@member.isa.org ~YELTON~List and Message Board Admin. YELTON-L@rootsweb.com http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=surnames.yelton