I had already sent a reply to Connie but saw that there were a alot of folks interested in other peoples methods of keeping track of all the tons mail and information that comes with it. This is the method I use--it might work for someone else. The first thing I do is keep manila folders for each surname I am researching, each state/country that I might focus on, and other misc. folders (ie: Quakers, Mayflower). When I go through my email box there are three categories - 1. keep (information related to a surname - same area, possible leads, possible links) these get printed and put into the surname manila folder to be reviewed today, next week, or ? 2. toss - emails that have no connection or possible link I get rid of right away 3. respond to - these emails I keep in my in box until I respond to them. There are two types of responses--you are helping someone else with information or you hope someone can provide you with information. All of my gen work is on the Family Tree Maker so it's an easy Copy/paste to get information to someone else (if you don't know how send me a line)... Then I print the orignal w/the response and put it in my folder so I know who I have corresponded with. If I respond to an email and expect a response back, I keep the message in the inbox until I get the response--holding off on printing it until it's received. I am tree consious, but you can use recycled paper and be smart about what you really can use and what you should pass on. I am partial to leafing through a folder with 50 pages versus pulling up 50 different electric files trying to remember a email from last february. The best advantage... you have a hard copy in case your computer gets sick or you upgrade your browser and it wipes out your email folders (that happened to me--thankfully I already used the manila folder method and all I lost were my messages in the inbox)! I review my surname folders periodically and as I learn more about a family I find new links and leads! I also know who I corresponded with two years ago--maybe contacting them again to exchange new links/leads. Wish you the best of luck in your search for organization and sanity! Happy Hunting. Lauri http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/3029/ (my other surnames, Sorry I haven't found enough Thomas' to put them on my site, but you will find all my other surnames I've researched and some genealogy humor in the "Reflections" box)