Lurking on the rootsweb lists, I receive and read the posts, and I've seen so many lose the faith, going so far as to unsubscribe A month gone by, and my-oh-my , not a hint of my family do I find So I prod and pick at random, someone else's brick to break... <BG>This has got to be the world's worst prose, but I just want to remind everyone on the lists that it feels GREAT to volunteer, and thanks to a lady in SD who needed material from my neck o' the woods, I have just had the thrill of breaking down a brick wall, and even if it wasn't mine, the feeling is still the same!!! I plan to do this more often, and because I had forgotten how good it feels I thought I'd share some tips on how you can help, in general or in particular, especially since most of my lists aren't too hoppin' right now... If anyone else has good tips on what to look for I would love to hear from you. Go to your local library and look at old obits, and copy a few to post to the appropriate lists Go to a Historical museum and look at the collections, then go to the county genweb and post the contents, entrance price, and research fees, if any are available, so that other states can know what the museum offers. Go to a funeral home that has been in business for many years and ask if you can transcribe some of their oldest records for the surname, state, or county sites. Go to your local county clerk and ask what kinds of records are available from that office and from what years, and post to the county. Make phone calls locally to find out which cemeteries have caretakers on site and if they have a records office , and the hours of business for those who need help finding a grave site, and post to lists. Go to a local monument maker and find out a general price list for simple markers and post to the county involved, so that people can place a marker on their ancestors unmarked graves. Pick a surname, any surname, and go around looking for all you can find in your town about the people who had that name long ago, and post it. I do suggest one thing if you decide to do something on a volunteer basis. Put" FYI only, no relation" in your posts, and if you are willing to send someone a copy of something you have found , say so. Spring is coming, and I hope you all find the elusive ones in your family...and in someone else's!!! hugs gloria in WA state, land of liquid sunshine