Dean - Try the RootsWeb Dutchess County Web site - is that now USGenWeb, anyone? (I know some RootsWeb sites have left because of the difficulties with Ancestry's takeover of the lists). But each county has a site and volunteers put up information. Do try Cliff Lamere's website Albany and Eastern NY Genealogy http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~clifflamere/ He has a wealth of information there, which includes Dutchess County. Also, he's been indexing the old maps, the kind that show houses with owners' names - am not sure if they are up yet (or if your people owned houses). Also you might be able to look at Dutchess County maps at http://www.historicmapworks.com. They allow some free browsing. (very nice company! I've purchased several of their maps). Good luck and sympathies! I'm your age, and am also stymied by living in CA and not enough $$ to do necessary research! Jean