some of you just starting to try and find info on your people in Ireland might want to check out the FREE Online genealogy classes (there is one for Ireland) at http://www.rootsweb.com/~genclass/index.html This explains a lot of the basics of what is available and how to get started. Then basically you do as much as you can with the resources you can access at a Family History Center or NARA or whatever you can find basically, and then you consider sending to the Heritage Centres in Ireland for help. I have used both the Tipperary and Wateford ones and have been pleased with them, tho Tipperary did not have my records they told me that and did not charge me, and Waterford did confirm to me that they in fact had the records and how much it would be (which I did not find unreasonable as most European countries' archives regulary charge over $200 and you don't know what you get, and its not in English you have to get the report translated). Maura ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maura Petzolt Mobile, Alabama USA mpetzolt2@webtv.net =============================== visit the IrelandGenWeb home page at http://www.worldgenweb.org/ireland/index.html