This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Barlow Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2RB.2ACE/2030.2654.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Keep and eye on typos (I believe you wanted Barlow but you typed Balrow in this recent email). Don't be conversational in the subject lines - *always* have the surname in the subject line. If you have not already done so, talk to your oldest living relatives even if you've never spoken a word to them before. Include inlawas and step-relatives. They may have a stash of information you would love to have that they might would share and other eventually toss out. For good starting tips, go to www.rootsweb.com. There are surname specific message boards (start at www.rootsweb.com) where you can search previous messages by surnames. In your queries include where you lose the trail, relevent dates and places where you lose the trail so that people reading the message can possibly pick up where you lose the trail. Don't give out information on living people but do give othere a starting point. Make every query complete in itself so others won't have to go back several messages to find out who you are looking for. Hope this helps - Russ Sprague Kensington, Maryland