Most genealogists research a family but it is also possible to research the genealogy of a place, be that a house or a cemetery or a community. This talk will describe the author’s decade-long research into the early settlers of Dummer Township, Peterborough County. First settled in 1831, I have so far identified over 2 600 people in 585 families who lived there before the first nominal census in 1852. Lack of early records makes it difficult to prove family relationships. People eventually moving elsewhere makes it difficult to track many lives. The data gathered is being added to the website <www.EarlyDummerSettlers.ca> which is still very much a work in progress. The talk will include dos and don’ts (such as “Don’t take on such a big project!”)