Hi all: I was finally able to visit this library, which is about 35 minutes from San Jose during the non-commute hours. This resource has 560 1" to 3" three ring binders with 169 family folders. Also, the genealogy society there will do 30 minute look-ups for a donation of $10. The society has indexed the whole collection, so if you do have a chance to visit the library, the collection can be searched rapidly. For example, my search with negative results on three of my families only took 25 minutes to scan and make a few notes. This database is named "The Brayton Library Collection". Tina Brayton, was the owner/manager of the GENEALOGY CLEARING HOUSE from 1959 TO 1981. It was first located in Oakland, CA. and later moved to Felton, CA, in Santa Cruz County. Tina was a charter member of the Genealogy Society of Santa Cruz County, and upon her death in 1991, the Society became the repository of the collection. Now the Society has a permanent section in the Santa Cruz main Library for the collection and other genealogy books. THE CLEARING HOUSE was formed to serve three purposes: help eliminate duplication of effort, correct data errors, and assist Tina with her own family research. As her ancestors had at one time resided in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, records to be accepted were to include at least one actual or approximate, date of birth, marriage, death, or residency in one of those states. Many records that had no reference to any Southern State, however, were accepted and included in the collection. How it worked: For a low annual fee ($2 and later $6), and submitting Group Family Sheets per Tina's format, a member would receive information then on file, and in the future, updated information on the desired family. Addresses of other members researching the same family were not included with the reply correspondence. Tina did not want members writing to each other and failing to keep The Clearing House informed of new materials and proof of records. In addition to the 560 binders, there are 8 - 2 1/2" binders of Pedigree Charts. In all there were 1,890 member correspondents over the existence of the business/service. Contact or visit: Santa Cruz Public Library 224 Church St. Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831-429-5600) <http://www.santacruzpl.org> Written look-up requests should be: Attention: Sara Bunnett Visiting Hours 10AM - 9PM To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html