Alicia, Thanks for the words of encouragement. I've gone through the Family History Catalog again and jotted down more film numbers that might contain useful information and now I have to wait for the evening when I can go to the FHC and order them. If I could only find my mother's birth entry. She grew up believing she was born in Aguascalientes, Aguas.,only to be told (at age 50) by an aunt that she was actually born in Villa Garcia, Zacatecas. I've gone through that film and didn't find her or her siblings. Now I'm beginning to believe she could have been wrong as to when she was born, too! I know the accuracy of records in Mexico is questionable. When my parents came to the states seventy years ago, they were told by the officials that if they were from Monterrey, the paperwork would be easier. So they agreed and somewhere out there it is stated that they were from Monterrey. Which was not true. One last thing...How do people download the films that I've gone throu
gh on th
e Nuestros Ranchos website? It's great to have those resources, but how does one contribute? Thanks again, Alice

--- alliecar@pacbell.net wrote:

From: Alicia Carrillo
To: research@nuestrosranchos.org
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Films
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:34:57 -0800 (PST)

----- Original Message ----
From: AliceBB alicebb@netscape.com
Monday, October 30, 2006 Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Films

Good Evening, Being new to genealogy and the group itself; I'd like to know how do you copy and scan films that you receive on loan at the FHC?
Alice;

First of all it is very unlikely that you would scan the entire film as the only records you will want to copy are those that you believe are family or are linked to your family indirectly through marriage to a family member.

Once you find either marriage, baptism, census, death or other type of record on a film most family history centers have the capability to make a paper copy for which there will be a per copy charge. This charge will vary depending on your local FHC.

Some FHC's have digital copiers where you can download and copy to disk, floppy, or a flash drive. Another possibility is to bring your digital camera and photograph your record or records of interest and download the photos at your home to a hard drive, CD or flash drive.
I believe that Joseph has posted How to instructions on Nuestros Ranchos on how to take digital photos of microfilmed records.

I hope this answers some of your questions, if not, keep asking and someone will get it right......the people in this group are always ready and willing to help.

Since I can only visit the FHC for the couple of hours a week it's open in the evening, I have only enough time to go through the film quickly. It appears that until I have regular business hours to devote to my family search and network, I will continue to get nowhere. I started with practically no information such as dates, places, or even names, and eight carefully selected films later, I haven't progressed in my search. I read your emails referring to the location of direct and distantly related family members many generations removed, and I can't even find my mother's birth entry or stumble upon her brothers (whose names I don't know). Yes, I'm completely frustrated

Alice, I know it's hardest at the beginning when you have so little to work with but don't give up.......because once you find that first major discovery you will have the thrill of a lifetime. I wish you luck and look forward to hearing of your breakthrough in those brick walls.

Suerte;
Alicia Carrillo,
San Jose, Calif

and amazed at how entire families can disappear. There must be something that I'm doing wrong, but I don't know what. Alice

Dear Alicia:
Thank you for answering Alice. Yes, this is exactly what I do. My LDS site has a microfilm printer. I am able to print copies of records for 10 cents each and then take them home and scan with my computer. We are not so fortunate to have the digital scans yet.

To Alice:
Do not be discouraged. I am unable to find the birth or marriage records for my husband's grandmother and grandfather. I have their parents and grandparents, brothers and sister's but have not found them yet. They are listed as patrons on baptisms and their own children's baptisms. I am getting the Valle de Guadalupe records to try to pinpoint their marriage year by the baptism of their oldest child. I also know Catarina's approximate age as it was listed on one of the baptisms where she was a patron. Sometimes other family member's records will give you clues. For instance I found my great great grandfather's parents names by looking at a marriage registration of his brother. I am unable to find my great great grandfather's marriage, but I have a film ordered with my great great grandmother's sisters' marriages and hope her marriage may also be on this film. I know who the sisters married names as they were listed on their father's will. One time I approximated my great grandfather's death by looking at his son's and daughter's marriages, which listed whether the father is deceased. My point is, sometimes different types of records from other family members will lead you to or give you clues to the one you are searching. Happy hunting!