Molly,

Access would work very well for your application. However, if you are
totally unfamiliar with using Access, the effort to get started might
be more trouble than it's worth to you. There are simpler database
product (and cheaper) that would also handle your problem, such as the
database product contained in Microsoft Works. Access costs about $200
as a standalone produce, more if bought combined in Orrice Pro,
whereas Microsoft Works can be purchased for a fraction of that. For
your application, you don't even need the latest version. I'd suggest
trying out something like Works Suite 99 OEM ($12 at
http://www.directdeals.com/category-works-suite.aspx ).
Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/
Message board:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=surnames.hoffpauir
Mail list:
http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/surname/h/hoffpauir.html
DNA project:
<http://www.familytreedna.com/(153dme45ewxtrs45rzxk5z2x)/public/Hoffpauir/index.aspx>

Dear Molly:

You do realize that Microsoft Access is a database management program, not a
spreadsheet? I echo other posts which suggest that setting up a database in
Access would work, but would be more effort than you may realize.

If you do wish to have a look at Access, you might try looking at a free
Access database available in the Microsoft Office templates collection
(watch out for word wrapping!):

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/TC010186431033.aspx?CategoryID=CT011
366831033

You might also be interested in a free library program I have created:

http://www3.sympatico.ca/lornarourke/fred.html

HTH
Fred Boer