Just a few years ago I was just where you are now. I think , knowing what I know now, if I were you, I would start with Ancestry.com. They actuallly own almost all of the other genealogy sites, Genealogy.com, and Rootsweb, etc. They have the best data base, and is easy to find your way around on. Don't be shy, join their mailing lists for the surnames that you are interested in and ask questions. I think you will find that most of us are ready and willing to help. You will want to know about your family branch that will link you to your roots in Scotland. This forum is absolutly the best, and contact Don Maxwell at the Maxwell DNA Project. Go to their web page, accessable from this website. Since all Maxwell's are related, I can wish you good luck Cousen.