Next, search the FHLC Surname File. You will find the computer ability to filter common names by a second surname (such as a wife's maiden name), or a location where the family lived, impressive as you determine if a published resource is available on your family. If the computers are busy, check the surname index to their periodicals, and the index to their collection of printed family histories.

Next move on to the International Genealogical Index which is particularly valuable if your ancestors are from New England, Great Britain, or Mexico. The files are particularly strong in those areas, but no areas of the world are completely neglected.

The Monterey FHC has one of the largest collections of CDs in the area. If you have taken the time to search genealogy.com, perhaps the CD is available at the center to find the actual source. It also has copies of the published multi-volume set of indexes covering surname histories in the Library of Congress.