By now, many New Year's resolutions are history. But that's hardly surprising, considering how easily good intentions can fall victim to circumstance. For instance, once you discover your new treadmill has only two speeds — lightning and warp — you have just one logical move: Dump that exercise regimen and take up knitting. In lieu of endurance training, the TurboWalker 3000 makes a darn good blanket rack.

I hope your 2004 family history resolutions haven't met the same fate as your fitness routine. Now's the time when ambitious genealogy goals often succumb to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You get busy. You get stuck. You start piling your blank pedigree charts on top of the treadmill

Fortunately, we know the secret to regaining your family history resolve: finding new approaches that will put your research back on track. And you won't have to look far — this issue is full of advice and ideas to broaden your genealogical horizons.