In a message dated 8/17/99 7:54:19 AM Mountain Daylight Time, Marykell@aol.com writes: << Please explain how so many people can say they have their ancestors traced back to year _____ when there are no birth or death records before certain dates? >> Thanks to everyone that answered my question on records. I am so glad to know that I am not alone in not being able to trace my ancestors back to Adam & Eve. Many suggested the following: 1) Family bibles...Don't have one 2) Graveyards - Graves are in MA, NY, IL & VT (maybe) I am in Colorado 3) Probate records - Clerk says she doesn't have records that far back, or they've been destroyed by "the Great Fire or Flood." 4) Church records- I've written to all the churches in the area (months ago) and no answers. 5) Other court records - See #3 above 6) Town histories - Contacted Town Historian, (Retired) and she doesn't know anything on my ancestors. 7) Funeral home and undertaker records - Called all the Funeral Directors and cemeteries in the area and they don't have records back that far or my ancestors are not there. 8) Census records - Have 1840-1850-1860 & 1870 showing him, wife #1 and wife #2 and children. But this doesn't tell me much more than I already knew. Thanks for everyone's input anyway. Mary Miller Evergreen, Colorado