Boy, and HOW Right you are Ron; Many newbe's don't seem to understand , you have to have a starting point with a name dates and places. Then check censuses, then go on. Just putting a surname doesn't get it. So many surnames are so common now and so plentiful in ant number of nationalities as well. I just had the first name of my Grt GRt Grandmother, Mahala and her spouse name Wm. Rooks. and their dau. Millie, my grandmother and a state. So I went to the census. Got my start. Thanks for the many helpers on Computer as I made a message and posted it on Missouri site. I had looked for several years by mail and not founds her but did get some letters which I couldn't connect. Maxine willma@sprynet.com. ----- Original Message ----- From: <RBestrom@Earthlink.net> To: <WASHINGTON-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2005 5:37 PM Subject: [WASHINGTON-L] Re: NELSON, CANTON > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > > Classification: Query > > Message Board URL: > > http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/CCC.2ACE/150.575.1 > > Message Board Post: > > Come on People. If you are searching for a family named Nelson, Canton, Blitz, etc. etc. etc. You have GOT to give a starting point. You HAVE to have someone that has a date of birth, a place, time, etc. Otherwise you will never get an answer. I could give you a list of 5,000 Nelson's in Washington with births from early 1800's through almost today. > > Genealogy starts at home. Start with family, what they know. Local records, then go from there. Do research in online county/state records. Go to the local county auditor. > > Start from a point, not a shotgun approach. > Ron Bestrom > >