I would hope the list could tolerate several different approaches to helping someone get started with genealogy. No matter how clearly any of us write, we probably frequently don't ask the question clearly or answer questions as clearly as we might. And we have all just plain missed the point of the question at times. In my opinion starting a pedigree right within a computer program is probably the easiest way over trying to do it the old fashioned way with lots of papers that do nothing by overwhelm one after awhile. If someone is new and looking for a program, I recommend RootsMagic at www.rootsmagic.com One can download a demo and start right in to see how it works. Obviously the basic principles are the same whether one uses paper or computer for the record keeping. It's just that the computer helps us organized better. When I see people in the library with big notebooks, I am so thankful for my laptop computer which lets me take most everything I might need with me. About research strategies, I have a set of genealogy research guidelines. Anyone who would like them, please let me know and I will forward them on as an attachment. Margaret Scheffler