I was not born nor never lived in the District. However, my father and 2 generations before him all lived in Washington, DC. I had some information on his ancestry recorded by his sister which I had long wanted to research. In 2000 I wanted to visit the National Gallery to see a Vermeer exhibit. I thought it was silly to travel from Goose Creek, SC to Washington, DC just to spend a few hours in a museum. I decided this was the ideal time to do some genealogical research. I hadn't the faintest idea of where to start but good old Google led me to this list. I subscribed and sent out a plea for help naming my 2nd great grandfather and what little I knew of him. I asked for advice - where should I go, what resources were available, etc. I was overwhelmed with the response from the generous subscribers to this list. You did look-ups and gave me my 2nd great-grandmother's maiden name, marriage dates, census information and more plus where I should go and what I should look for. You also told me to write to the DC Archives and ask for a copy of my 2nd great-grandfather's will. I did and I received the copy before I left on my trip. What a wealth of information! He named all of his children, his grandchildren, his brothers and sisters-in-law and at least one of each of their children, plus an aunt and two cousins! I set out by myself with the information you provided and the will and on that first visit to the District I visited the MLK Library, Historical Society and Congressional Cemetery. I stayed in the Dupont Circle area and became familiar with the Metro and how to get about town. I came home loaded with information and anxious for another trip. On my second venture by myself I visited the DC Archives - too dumb or too bold to be scared of the area, I can't remember which. I also visited Glenwood Cemetery, the National Archives, DAR Library, Montgomery Co Historical Society and more trips to MLK Library. On my third trip I met a third cousin I had found in my research. We hit Fairfax County - the Historical Society, the Library and the County Court House and most of the above listed research sources in DC. Every trip has been a joy of discovery and I owe it all to his list. I would never have visited DC "cold turkey" without the advice you gave me. Thank YOU! Ruth Researching Hilton, Rowzee, Rowe, Turner, Cox, Cady, Thompson in DC,VA, MD and cousins Braddock, Morsell, Rind, Smith, Stewart