While Ancestry.com is one of the most useful tools for genealogical research, if you haven't ventured much beyond the confines of your own computer, you have no idea what you're missing. A trip through an attic, while dusty perhaps, can yield never before seen or published records. The courthouse holds much more than the tax and land records. Major archives held by the state, county, town or University often pay the best dividends for your research time and money, but archives also can be found in businesses, schools, clubs, churches, hospitals, and a whole host of organizations. There is great value in getting out into the community where your ancestors once lived. An experience you'll miss if you do all of your research from your desk.
Dina Carson has been involved in genealogy for more than three decades, and is currently the coordinator of the Boulder Pioneers Project, a comprehensive look at the original source documents for Boulder County during the Territorial period (1859-1876). She is the author of more than ninety annotated indexes of Boulder County source materials. She lectures frequently to genealogical societies throughout the state and is working with the Colorado State Archives on state-wide indexing projects. Dina is the author of 10 books about publishing and genealogy,