Just a quick comment. If you physically type in something in that field then it will show up in reports. If you just let the system insert the "unknown" it won't show up in reports. BUT... if you physically type in the word "unknown" it will show up in reports. <sigh>.... Confusing isn't it. I learned this when I made the mistake of actually typing in the word of unknown one time...<g>. Take care - Emma In a message dated 5/28/2005 12:36:26 AM Central Standard Time, geneamarm@if.rmci.net writes: I think your case is one of those extreme exceptions, perfectly legitimate but not fitting any pre-existing template. How about creating a person for the father figure, named "Not Yet Known" or some variation? The program does not care what is put in as a name. And for all we know, either in this life or the next, your niece may find an eternal companion who will be a father to her children. So his name is "not yet known", rather than the pointing finger "Unknown". Unfortunately, the term 'unknown' was probably used only to indicate that the program did not yet have the information on the person's identity, but because there are so many real life situations where the biological fathers are not known, it comes across in a more negative manner.