Although it might interrupt the flow of the festivities, consider keeping a small notebook on hand at holiday gatherings. You never know when some interesting bit of family history will come up in casual conversation, and relying on memory for when you get back to your computer (or where ever you keep your research) is dicey at best. Old family recipes can be a source of research if you know what you're looking for. They give clues to ethnic heritage, and often give the names of other cooks -- friends, family and neighbors -- which could lead to more avenues of research. Happy Holidays! Wendy Boughner Whipple ----- Creating an Heirloom: Writing Your Family's Cookbook http://www.CreatingAnHeirloom.com