Here's some additional search tips for you. Hope they help!! :-)
Dee Hardy
These are off of a checklist I used in my own search. Either print them off 
or jot them down and circle what you've done so far. I'll add more at a later 
time:
STATE CENSUS   LOCAL HISTORIES   CITY DIRECTORIES   COMPUTER LISTS
(certificates) BIRTH   MARRIAGE  DEATH  DIVORCE  ADOPTION  GRADUATION
CHRISTENING  BLESSING  BAPTISM  CONFIRMATION  ORDINATION  TRANSFER
MINISTERIAL  MISSION RELEASE  MEMBERSHIP  APPRENTICESHIP  ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD
(health records) XRAYS  INSURANCE PAPERS  HOSPITAL RECORDS  
MEDICAL RECORDS  IMMUNIZATIONS  DOCTOR BILLS  
(US Federal Censuses) indexes  1790  1800  1810  1820  1830  1840
1850  1860  1870  1880  1900  1910  1920  1930  AGRICULTURE
MORTALITY SCHEDULES
(tax records) POLL TAX  PERSONAL PROPERTY  REAL ESTATE  SCHOOL
POOR RATE  INCOME TAX
A "phonetic spelling" is the way a word or name was spelled in times past. It 
was usually spelled the way it sounded versus the actual spelling. Always 
keep this in mind when researching names or towns. They could be spelled in 
the indexes differently than the actual spelling. Here are some old names and 
what they actually were. These can help you if researching older records:
OCUPYSHIEN: census taker   ARTIFICER: soldier mechanic who does repairs
BONIFACE: keeper of an inn  BURGONMASTER: mayor  
CAULKER: one who fills up cracks in ships or windows
COSTERMONGER: a peddler of fruits and vegetables
DRAYMAN: one who drives a long strong cart without fixed sides for carrying 
heavy loads (a dray).
FLETCHER: one who makes bows and arrows.  GOALER: jailer  
HIND: farm laborer  RATTLEWATCH: town watchman  SHRIEVE: sheriff
TIDE WAITER: customs inspector  WAINWRIGHT: wagon maker
WATERMAN: boatman who plies for hire
WRIGHT: workman, especially a construction worker
CLASSIFIED ADS:
Placing ads in local or statewide newspapers can come into play at "anytime" 
in your search. Some folks try this right off the bat while others wait until 
they've exhausted all efforts. Before you place an ad in a newspaper, be sure 
they'll actaully place that kind of ad!! Most will but there are some who 
won't. Also, check on these things first:
FEES - How many words or characters per line and the per line charge or 
word/character charge up front.
RUN - Is there a minimum number of times you must run the ad.
SCHEDULE - Is the paper a daily, weekly or only a Sunday paper.
TEARSHEETS - These are actual copies of your ad. Most tearsheets are free but 
some cost anywhere from $1.00 to the actual cost of the newspaper itself. 
These are PROOF that your ad was placed and you'll need this to verify your 
ad was put in the paper, especially if you are not within the circulation 
area. Request a tearsheet always!! This also allows you to keep a record of 
the area your ad reached.
SIGN - Always sign and date your request and reprint your address on the 
letter.
COPY YOUR AD - Send them a copy of your ad as you would like it to be worded 
so they can add up the cost for you and return to you a price.
"You can find a book at your local library in the reference section listing 
all the newspapers in your state along with #'s and addresses so you can 
write for their charges. Most people get a PO Box for their searches and ads 
should be addressed to those as there are many people out there who will see 
your home address. That part is up to you though. Use caution!"
A.E.R.  PO Box 100444  Palm BAy,FL  32910-0444 ask for free catalog
SEARCHERS USA  406-487-2738 searchers
CEECEE@AOL.COM  access to DMV and TRW on-line
SWEET PEA PRESS  PO Box 1852  Appleton,WI  54913-1852 newsletter for bparents 
of minors
TRUDY HEMLINGER  PO Box 803  Carmichael,CA  95608  registry
Web sites for those who have access:
http://www.armory.com/~cartert/
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/3681
http://www.phoenix.net/~aquarian/davids/tree.html
http://www.asid.com
SUPPORT GROUPS:
SEARCH & SUPPORT OF DENVER  303-778-8612 in Denver,CO
ADOPTION CROSSROADS  203-633-3130 in Glastonbury,CT
FINDERS KEEPERS  302-834-8888 in Bear,DE
A.B.S.N.  202-686-4611 in DC  hsjt81a@prodigy.com
C.U.B.  PO Box 1117  St.Augustine,FL  32085-1117
Please keep in mind that not all these things have been tried. :)
--- MsgedsqWB 3.05.07
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