My Dad started ours when my Grandmother talked about working on hers (Mom's mother). They went to the library back then and wrote dozens of letters to known family and received copies of old (18 & 1700's) wills and land grant certificates. He compiled all of what he learned in a binder and I got it when both parents passed. The year my Mom passed I joined Ancestry and began inputting all of what my Dad (and Grandmother) had collected. I was blown away when I started getting the "leaves" showing more information on each person. My Dad had traced his side of the family back to ties to the Magna Carta! I have met (online) a cousin from Oklahoma. Dad had always told me his Dad had brothers who moved out west. So neat to make contact of family you never knew! I haven't had the Ancestry membership in the last couple of years but after reading all of your comments it makes me want to get back at it!