I would suggest that many brick walls (we all have them) are avoided if you
will but learn the "WHERES" of your people by noting their places of
residences as found in virtually all the censuses.  Next, Google that county
or city genealogy, join that local society, become acquainted with its
members, read the newsletters and submit queries, and then when you can, go
visit.

No one, but no one, knows local genealogy and the people there better than
those researchers who live in that county, city, and local area.  Those
folks know the other researchers and which records and sources are at hand,
free or not and published or not published, most of which sources will never
appear on any of the net sites, pay- or no-pay.  You will need but look at
those county or city websites, exhaust ALL the records there shown, ask the
folks who live there what more they have available, inquire as to any
descendants of your ancestors who may yet live there, and spend the 12.00 -
20.00 for a year of membership.  It may well be the best little sum of money
you will ever spend. 

Finally, there are oceans of local materials out there that will never be on
the web. Most of those are available simply for the asking in the local
area.  As with almost every source - PERSI, DAR, LDS, HQ, Ancestry, etc. -
the censuses have much information - some correct and some not - however
that is but the very beginning, and those censuses will not carry you to
anywhere near the end of your search.  Put your checkbook away and try these
methods, and if you do not find what you want, THEN pay someone else if you
can afford it.  Who knows what you will find?  

Paul      


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