The cost is ridiculous for any serious research. With my current access to databases I search for any missing family members, follow up those who are nieces, nephews, grandkids etc and also look at originals for neighbours. And then I search for evidence that my "John Smith" is indeed correct by eliminating and recording all other possibles........

A search for my mother bn 1909 showed zero, but her mother, father and a couple of sibs seemed to be there. My bank balance would be sorely hurt if I went surfing for her!

Await Ancestry's acquisition with deep pockets and short arms.

Bob