Someone asks what is FHC? This is short hand for Family History Center. Family History Centers are generally associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints [Mormon]. At one time the statement was there were over 3,000 centers world-wide, but the expansion continues apace!!! How do you find out whether such a center [FHC] is near your residence? Go to this website: _www.familysearch.org_ (http://www.familysearch.org) Scroll down the screen--and look in the middle lower part. Look for a *button* which says OK Above that OK is a blank for you to enter the State/town/city where you live. [This is a new feature I have not explored, as the website has been revised] . Be sure to note the telephone number. Telephone the center--they are not always open, as they are manned/womaned by volunteers, who do not keep regular hours. If you do not get a response on week-days, telephone on a Sunday when church services are held. Generally someone will answer the phone. There may be a different phone number for the church itself, so check your local phone directory. Sometimes churches are listed in the yellow pages. If you use white pages, be sure to give the proper title as given above. If your search is successful and you can get to that FH center at a convenient time for your schedule, ask for a brief tour. Ask to see the microfiche collection in particular. Ask how you order films, etc. Check the computers, the microfilm readers, the microfiche readers. Do not be in a hurry to start your research. At home, you can do some *shopping* by checking the Family History Library catalog [on the right side of the screen--URL given above]. Do a PLACE search, to begin. But also do a surname search. And for Rowan Co., NC, do an author search: 1) Jo White Linn 2) Brent Holcomb 3) A. B. Pruitt 4) Margaret M. Hofmann [note the spelling]. These are not in any particular order. If you are looking for late births, deaths and marriages, look under Vital Records. Wills etc. will probably be under the topic Probate. Get used to the way the Library catalogs items. And always look at the top of the screen to see if you can find a tab *View Film Notes*. That means the record or the book has been filmed. Sometimes county histories are very helpful. My friend, an expert researcher, says she goes for *genealogies*. Have fun exploring the FHL catalog. And then go back from time to time and explore the whole website. Every link leads to some interesting information. For example, the index to the 1880 US census is on the website; also the 1881 UK census and the 1881 Canadian census. Also check out NEWS!!! Exciting things are happening to the website! More and more material is being digitized. E.W.Wallace learning something new every day! ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com