I'm the neophyte with the geneology ... muddling through with help

. My biggest barriers/challenges are what I see are the pre- and post-1864 records. The family was/is Catholic, so it looks like it is the process of accessing records and verifying. I did that a few nights ago - cost alot, found some answers, but I was hoping there was an easier (read: less expensive) way to do this. I would search and locate names, try to stay within the townships/counties, and when I paid access to records, I could connect some, but others need more digging. Names are another issue and slight variances, perhaps by the recorder, can be a challenge, as I am sure you have already experienced. I spend more time reading right now than doing, and this site has been the most helpful, so I will continue. Thanks
aghadowey for the information on searching marriage records - I would rather do it myself to learn. So will be back when I have more questions, which should be sooner than later. Thanks, Sheila