Well the "bucket shops" thread really got things going. I have wanted to trace my genealogy for some time, just haven't gotten around to it. My main question is, are these sites like genealogy.com, ancestry.com and what-not good ways to start, or are they similiar to the bucket shops? I have seen a hundred links to different sites, and don't want to sink into the internet abyss. Thanks to everyone who set me on the proper road.