Invest the time to research academic libraries' special collections. Often they will have materials of historical or genealogical value that may prove helpful in your research. These might include microfilmed newspaper, funeral home ledgers, obituary files, private or corporate papers, letters and diaries, vital records no longer wanted by government officials, maps and atlases, gazetteers, government document collections, unusual microfilmed records, photographs, and a variety of other materials. Not all of these materials are always included in the library's catalog, so seek out the person responsible for administering the library's special collection and make a new friend. - George G. Morgan <A HREF="http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/george/george.asp">http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/columns/george/george.asp</A>