Barbara,

Hey, we all know the names can be tough.  But one sure way of getting better
acquainted is to catalog your shells as you plan to do.  In itself, this
will help with the name game.  As for an aid in linking family with genus or
species, try Guido Poppe's web site at: http://www.conchology.uunethost.be/

Once there click on the order you want, for instance "Gastropoda."  When you
get to the Gastropoda page it will list the families within Gastropoda.  Now
all you have to do is click on "search" in the upper portion of the page and
when the search page comes up, just type in the species you are looking for
and it will give you all of the family and genus names that go along with
that specific name.  Piece of cake.  Try it and I think you will find it
will give you what you need.  Good luck,

Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico (USA)