I agree--you might want to read over your original post and you will see what ludlow means. And although I have over 60 genealogical websites, mostly in Kansas, I think there is still a place for county historical societies. Some have data you just can't find anywhere else. True, some are big rip-offs (like the one that charged me $20 for not finding a death record--that I found myself when I ordered a film from the local FHC) or the ones that think they OWN all the genealogical data for that county (in this case I got a nasty email from the the local gen soc lady when I photographed a cemetery and put it on one of my sites--she said I was "taking money away" from them because they got $5 for each tombstone photo requested.) But a lot of us would be up that proverbial creek with some of these organizations--which leads me to give props to my favorite county historical society--Clay County, Kansas! Cathy Haney, the curator, not only knows about every family that ever lived in that county, she is determined to help you find what you need, and is just about as tickled as you are when you find it! She is a treasure, and I am sure there are people (almost) as good as she is working at local historical societies.