Thanks so much for all the LDS info and the words of encouragement in your other emails. I will definitely write down what I find on the LDS site before I trek down to the library. That's great advice! Do they actually have old documents on file, too? That would be sweet. As for genealogy sites that charge, I was thinking of sites like ancestry and genealogy.com. It seems that they charge separately for access to each and every little thing. If I had a money tree in my yard, that wouldn't be a prob. Also, every time I want a document from a state gov archive, I have to dust off the old checkbook, or else pay twice the amount to order online with a credit card. I sure wish they would put that stuff on the net for a nominal fee. $15-$30 for every document adds up after a while. I'll check rootsweb and cindislist, too. Haven't been on either in quite a while. I've been an archaeology buff since I was a kid, too. That and astronomy. Am a total sci-fi geek. Even worked conventions in CA when I was younger and the Renaissance Faire! Can you believe it? Well, thanks again. Have a great rest of the week! Dana In a message dated 7/7/2004 5:45:16 PM US Mountain Standard Time, [email protected] writes: Yes, there is a LDS located in Mesa. The address is 41 S. Hobson, Phone 480-964-1200, Open M and Sat 9-5; Tues - Fri 9-9. Take 60 to Mesa Dr. exit left on Mesa Dr. to main St. Right on Main to Hobson (next stop light), there's an Arby's on the corner. Take a right on Hobson and the Library is next to Arby's. A suggestion: Get organized. Stick to the archives first. You will save a lot of time by going on online to www.familysearch.com and do a library search. If your looking for census - do a search for the state. If your looking for will/land, look for the state and county if you have it. If you find something on film, write down the film #'s and take it with you. By searching the state you will have a large list of everything that is available on film.You can go directly to the film library and pull the films and start looking for relatives. Many people go in there not prepared and are blown away at the sources available, spend their time bouncing from one wall to another and really accomplishing very little. Believe me, that was my first time experience - I accomplished only that I loved it and nothing more. Above all - stay focused on what you went after.It's easy to get side tracked there is so much there. As far as online sources for genealogy that are reliable - www.rootsweb.com; www.cyndislist.com ;are starting to publish public records online. Some cost, others don't. But this is something that you have to check almost daily because they are adding things as we speak. There is a big controversy that we as researchers should not have to pay for public records unless of course we go to the court house for something. By a genealogy group - you mean - can you give me a example? I can't even think of one - so let me know, okay? The PRA is not really a genealogy group but a one-name study and a not for profit org. that's why your donations are deductible. All of our money is put back into the education of our rather large Pennington family, and the Pedigree publications. Talk soon - hey, I envy you going on a dig. A couple of years ago I visited Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in VA. and they were digging, I sure wanted to get in the dirt with them. I have been interested in archaeology since I was a pup. Later.. Rene'e Davis ARD, Family Groups PRA - Group 9 Pennington Research Association, Inc. www.penningtonresearch.org ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 9:07 AM Subject: lds