Hello Rabbit B
Yes I do understand what you mean about side shoots. Main line research is a difficult task, luck does play a big part. My research has now come to an end after 53 years! I was "stuck" for a period of about 12 years around the 1790 period, but eventually the break through came. If you are interested mainly in one specific named line, I guess like me, you need to go side shooting a little to put meet on the bones of the main line.
That is where family history really comes of interest and you begin to gather together the story of that families development and progress, its ups and downs etc. Having finished my research I'm just about to publish a 30,000 word family history. Thanks for commenting, are you near the publishing stage?
Best wishes, regards................... Peter