Some basics of letter (and e-mail) writing
Long-distance research begins at home
Collecting information from close relatives
Vital records : birth, marriage, death
Estate files : not just wills
Other federal government records
Other sources of information
CD-ROMs, microfilm, and microfiche
Joining genealogical and historical societies
Finding other people who are researching your line
It's all on the Internet, isn't it?
Why not go there yourself?
Hiring a professional genealogist
Appendix A : Useful addresses for genealogists
Appendix B : Where to find vital records, estate records, and land records
Appendix C : Where to write for vital records at the state level
Appendix D : The National Archives and its branch regional records service facilities
Appendix E : Addresses of state libraries and archives.
