Hello to all - I've been thinking. (watch out! <g>) A little bit back, I posted some thoughts about ways to contribute on a GenForum message board... and followed with a similar message on the "methods" newsgroup that then mirrored back to the methods rootsweb list. My intent was to brainstorm ways to "volunteer" / "contribute" - via transcribing or creating information (indexes and the like) - for online genealogical use - and "from a distance". Have received several replies - both public and private. Well.. what I had in mind was ways to contribute - for Niagara County, NY. So - "duh" - I remember it being asked here on this list - what each of would like to see at the county website. And again, "duh", if I'm thinking that I'd like to contribute to our mutual knowledge somehow of Niagara County - why in the blazes aren't I just writing a note to this list?!? (so here I am...) Here are some things I've thought of... would any of these be feasable or useful? Are there other local records that are more "needed"? What is easily done from California? And what "format" is best to submit information? Before getting ahead of myself... let me toss a couple of ideas out... and see what you all think... 1) I have a copy of volumes I and II of the Wilson Sketchbook published by the Wilson Historical Society - Niagara Co, NY. I could transcribe the gazillions of names in the index of each.. then if folks wanted them, they could order them locally. 2) I could create a database (searchable) - of full names (and select specific fields of information - like birth date, location - death date, location - cemetery name - plot number) - taken from commercial records at a local funeral home. Can't see that I could do actual cemetery stone transcriptions from a distance... but this type of index might work. I could get local paper files online from a funeral home or burial association. (providing "they" are willing!) 3) I have an interest in Wilson because of my own ancestors - so any local records I could transcribe or index would be a plus. I'm thinking about church records - esp any that aren't available on FHC microfilms. (and there "are" some not there!) Some other type of records kept in govt offices? Land? (we have Holland land records - but what of the names "later" as the property passed along?) Probate? (seems like probate is covered by access to sampubco.. although "dates" would be useful... now it is name and location, but not dates) 4) For published works - that include local biographies in the county - might I not again create an index? Hmm.. on idea one and now this one... if the published work already "has" an index... then I can't just "transcribe" it...if it is copywritten, right? But I "could" create one if a book doesn't have one? Is the Landmarks of Niagara County already indexed? It's out of print, but is it still under copyright? Seems like it would be a good candidate, since it's hard to get ahold of! Ok. Will stop the freeflowing brainstorming here. Did anything sound useful? Something I could do "on the side - in my own time - from a distance"?? I want to "start small"... and contribute.. taking baby steps... and see it happen... then take on another project... what do you all think? debbie CAhobbies@aol.com