Welcome Richard Sliter, I recommend the PAF (Personal Ancestral File) program. You may download it free at: http://familysearch.org It is fairly simple. You can purchase a book that explains in detail how to use it at Deseret Books. The program has many nice features, but you do not need to learn them to begin using the program. The price is certainly right. Louise McCrite-CA State Coordinator CAGenExchange: http//www.genexchange.org/state.cfm?state=CA USGenExchange: http://www.genexchange.org/us.cfm Help keep genealogy free...Volunteer at the GenExchange