[cdefreese]

Would you suggest sticking to the web for beginners? I have looked at software in the stores and wondered if they are any good. Also, some of the 'pay' genelogical sites too... I don't know anyone that has had any real luck though.

Any suggestions?

[RayBob]

You have FREEPMAIL (or will very shortly)

[petuniasevan]

Try the free signup at http://www.ancestry.com and see what you find in the World Tree and Social Security Death Index.

If you get hooked (like I did), you may opt to purchase access to various other databases such as the US Census.

There are over a BILLION names listed at ancestry.com.

[MayflowerMadam]

Not sure about the software, etc., but I've heard often not to rely on the data in the Mormon databases re genealogy -- heard they're more in to quantity than quality and not dependable. Don't know if that's true or not -- just passing on info I've been told.

My uncle who died at 93 last year spent much of his life on this research. At the last reunion his chart, on a roll of butcher paper, ran the whole length of one of the walls of the Grange Hall. Too much information in one place. Mind-boggling Arrrgh!

[JoshGray]

Try Legacy.

As for online databases, try Ancestry.com, The Mormons, and Genealogy.com.

Word of warning: do not incorporate anyone else's work into your own. Use it as a rumor or a guideline, at best -- always look for proof and hard-copy documentation.

There's a lot of vanity trees out there, more interested in quantity than quality.