diff --git a/doc/examples/contain_serialization.cxx b/doc/examples/contain_serialization.cxx
index 8bfec40..ad23bee 100644
--- a/doc/examples/contain_serialization.cxx
+++ b/doc/examples/contain_serialization.cxx
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class B: public xml::Serialize {
       className("b")
         .persist(i, "i")
         .persist(txt, "txt")
-        .persist(a);
+        .persist(a, "a");
     }
 };
 
diff --git a/doc/examples/inherit_serialization.cxx b/doc/examples/inherit_serialization.cxx
index c1f971c..48c2596 100644
--- a/doc/examples/inherit_serialization.cxx
+++ b/doc/examples/inherit_serialization.cxx
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 //       1         2         3         4         5         6         7         8
 // 45678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890
 
-// g++ -I../../src ../../src/xml.cxx serialization.cxx
+// g++ -I../../src ../../src/xml.cxx inherit_serialization.cxx
 
 #include <xml-cxx/xml.hxx>
 #include <iostream>
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ class A: public xml::Serialize {
     std::string txt;
   protected:
     void initXmlMembers() {
-      className("b");
+      className("A");
       persist(a, "a");
       persist(txt, "txt");
     }
@@ -25,68 +25,25 @@ class A: public xml::Serialize {
 
 class B: public A {
   public:
-    int a;
-    std::string txt;
+    int b;
   protected:
     void initXmlMembers() {
-      className("b");
-      persist(a, "a");
-      persist(txt, "txt");
+      A::initXmlMembers();
+      className("B");
+      persist(b, "b");
     }
 };
 
-//! Class with external xml::Serialize
-class C {
-  public:
-    int a;
-    std::string txt;
-};
-
 int main(int, char**) {
-  { // Serialization as a member
-    std::stringstream ss("<a>\n"
-                         "\t<a>1234</a>\n"
-                         "\t<txt>Dies ist ein Serialisierungs-Test</txt>\n"
-                         "</a>");
-    A a;
-    a._ser.loadXml(ss);
-    if (a.a==1234) a.a=4321;
-    a._ser.saveXml(std::cout)<<std::endl;
-  } { // Inherited Serialization
-    std::stringstream ss("<b>\n"
-                         "\t<a>1234</a>\n"
-                         "\t<txt>Dies ist ein Serialisierungs-Test</txt>\n"
-                         "</b>");
-    B b;
-    b.loadXml(ss);
-    if (b.a==1234) b.a=4321;
-    b.saveXml(std::cout)<<std::endl;
-  } { // External xml::Serialize: "ser" must live in no longer than "c"!
-    std::stringstream ss("<c>\n"
-                         "\t<a>1234</a>\n"
-                         "\t<txt>Dies ist ein Serialisierungs-Test</txt>\n"
-                         "</c>");
-    C c;
-    xml::Serialize ser(xml::Serialize("c")
-                       .persist(c.a, "a")
-                       .persist(c.txt, "txt"));
-    ser.loadXml(ss);
-    if (c.a==1234) c.a=4321;
-    ser.saveXml(std::cout)<<std::endl;
-  } { // Use xml::Serialize to store anything, e.g. local variables
-      // Important: "ser" must live in no longer than the variables!
-    std::stringstream ss("<d>\n"
-                         "\t<a>1234</a>\n"
-                         "\t<txt>Dies ist ein Serialisierungs-Test</txt>\n"
-                         "</d>");
-    int a;
-    std::string txt;
-    xml::Serialize ser(xml::Serialize("d")
-                       .persist(a, "a")
-                       .persist(txt, "txt"));
-    ser.loadXml(ss);
-    if (a==1234) a=4321;
-    ser.saveXml(std::cout)<<std::endl;
-  }
+  std::stringstream ss("<B>\n"
+                       "\t<b>1234</b>\n"
+                       "\t<a>5678</a>\n"
+                       "\t<txt>Dies ist ein Serialisierungs-Test</txt>\n"
+                       "</B>");
+  B b;
+  b.loadXml(ss);
+  if (b.b==1234) b.b=4321;
+  if (b.a==5678) b.a=8765;
+  b.saveXml(std::cout)<<std::endl;
   return 0;
 }
diff --git a/doc/examples/makefile.am b/doc/examples/makefile.am
index 33cad71..1324ad8 100644
--- a/doc/examples/makefile.am
+++ b/doc/examples/makefile.am
@@ -6,11 +6,15 @@
 AM_CXXFLAGS += -I ${top_srcdir}/src
 AM_LDFLAGS = -L${top_builddir}/src -lxml-cxx
 
-noinst_PROGRAMS = address node_macros serialization contain_serialization
+noinst_PROGRAMS = address node_macros serialization \
+                  contain_serialization inherit_serialization \
+		  list_serialization
 
 address_SOURCES = address.cxx
 node_macros_SOURCES = node_macros.cxx
 serialization_SOURCES = serialization.cxx
 contain_serialization_SOURCES = contain_serialization.cxx
+inherit_serialization_SOURCES = inherit_serialization.cxx
+list_serialization_SOURCES = list_serialization.cxx
 
 MAINTAINERCLEANFILES = makefile.in
diff --git a/src/xml-cxx/xml.hxx b/src/xml-cxx/xml.hxx
index d84fc0c..a4c7e1a 100644
--- a/src/xml-cxx/xml.hxx
+++ b/src/xml-cxx/xml.hxx
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include <sstream>
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
+#include <list>
 #include <map>
 #include <memory>
 #include <typeinfo>
@@ -42,7 +43,12 @@ class MethodTrace {
 };
 #define TRACE MethodTrace XXX_METHOD(this, __PRETTY_FUNCTION__)
 #define LOG(X) std::clog<<__PRETTY_FUNCTION__<<"\t**** "<<X<<std::endl
-
+#define ASSERT(X, Y) {                          \
+    if (!(Y)) {                                 \
+      LOG(X);                                   \
+    }                                           \
+    assert(Y);                                  \
+}
 
 
 /*! @mainpage
@@ -578,6 +584,7 @@ namespace xml {
       virtual Node& set(const Attributes& o) throw();
       Node& clear() throw ();
       std::string name() const throw();
+      Node& name(const std::string& n) throw();
       Node& min(size_type m) throw();
       size_type min() const throw();
       Node& max(size_type m) throw();
@@ -639,6 +646,7 @@ namespace xml {
       Node& operator=(const std::string& contents) throw();
       operator std::string() const throw();
       operator bool() const throw();
+      operator char() const throw();
       operator signed char() const throw();
       operator unsigned char() const throw();
       operator signed short() const throw();
@@ -687,8 +695,12 @@ namespace xml {
                 duplicate_attribute, attributes_in_end_tag,
                 illegal_attribute, mandatory_attribute_missing,
                 wrong_node_number);
+      void reset() throw();
     private:
       friend class stream_error;
+      friend class Serialize;
+      Node& operator*() throw(factory_not_valid);
+      Node*const operator->() throw(factory_not_valid);
       bool ws(char c) throw();
       std::auto_ptr<Node> read(std::istream& is, const Node& position)
           throw(wrong_end_tag, wrong_start_tag, tag_expected, type_mismatch,
@@ -809,14 +821,78 @@ namespace xml {
       //! You must call Serialize::className() if you use this constructor!
       Serialize() throw();
       Serialize(const std::string& className) throw();
+      Serialize(const Serialize& other) throw();
       virtual ~Serialize();
+      Serialize& operator=(const Serialize& other) throw();
       Serialize& className(const std::string& name) throw();
-      Serialize& persist(Serialize& ser) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(Serialize& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      template<typename TYPE, class ALLOC>
+          Serialize& persist(std::list<TYPE, ALLOC>& member,
+                             const std::string& name) throw() {
+        return persist(member, name, name);
+      }
+      template<typename TYPE, class ALLOC>
+          Serialize& persist(std::list<TYPE, ALLOC>& member,
+                             const std::string& list,
+                             const std::string& item) throw() {
+        mapName<std::list<TYPE, ALLOC> >()[std::make_pair(this, list)]
+          = &member;
+        mapMember<std::list<TYPE, ALLOC> >()[&member] = list;
+        _xmlNames[list] = &typeid(TYPE);
+        Serialize ser(list);
+        TYPE dummy;
+        ser.persist(dummy, item);
+        *_xmlFactory<<(xml::Node(list).limits(1,1)
+                       <<(*ser._xmlFactory)[0].limits(0, 0));
+        return *this;
+      }
+      Serialize& persist(bool& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(char& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(unsigned char& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(signed char& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(unsigned short& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(signed short& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(unsigned int& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(signed int& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(unsigned long& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(signed long& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(float& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(double& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      Serialize& persist(std::string& member,
+                         const std::string& name) throw();
+      std::ostream& saveXml(std::ostream& os,
+                            const std::string& name = std::string()) const throw();
+      std::istream& loadXml(std::istream& is,
+                            const std::string& name = std::string());
+      std::string schema() const throw();
+    protected:
+      virtual void initXmlMembers();
+    private:
+      void clear() throw();
+      void copy(const Serialize& o) throw();
       template<typename TYPE>
-          Serialize& persist(TYPE& member, const std::string& name) throw() {
-        assert(mapName<TYPE>().find(std::make_pair(this, name))==mapName<TYPE>().end());
-        assert(mapMember<TYPE>().find(&member)==mapMember<TYPE>().end());
-        assert(_xmlNames.find(name)==_xmlNames.end());
+          Serialize& persistSimpleType(TYPE& member,
+                                       const std::string& name) throw() {
+        ASSERT("type: "<<typeid(TYPE).name()<<"; name="<<name,
+               mapName<TYPE>().find(std::make_pair(this, name))
+               ==mapName<TYPE>().end());
+        ASSERT("type: "<<typeid(TYPE).name()<<"; name="<<name,
+               mapMember<TYPE>().find(&member)==mapMember<TYPE>().end());
+        ASSERT("type: "<<typeid(TYPE).name()<<"; name="<<name,
+               _xmlNames.find(name)==_xmlNames.end());
         mapName<TYPE>()[std::make_pair(this, name)] = &member;
         mapMember<TYPE>()[&member] = name;
         _xmlNames[name] = &typeid(TYPE);
@@ -825,11 +901,6 @@ namespace xml {
         _xmlFactory = schema;
         return *this;
       }
-      std::ostream& saveXml(std::ostream& os) const throw();
-      std::istream& loadXml(std::istream& is);
-    protected:
-      virtual void initXmlMembers();
-    private:
       template<typename TYPE>
           std::map<std::pair<const Serialize*, std::string>, TYPE*>&
           mapName() const {
@@ -841,13 +912,19 @@ namespace xml {
         return MAP;
       }
       template<typename TYPE> void fromNode(TYPE* member, xml::Node& node) {
-        *member =
-          (TYPE)dynamic_cast<xml::String&>(node[mapMember<TYPE>()[member]]);
+        *member = (TYPE)dynamic_cast<xml::String&>(node);
       }
+      /*
+      template<typename TYPE, class ALLOC>
+          void fromNode(std::list<TYPE, ALLOC>* member, xml::Node& node) {
+        member->clear();
+        for (xml::Node::size_type i(0); i<node.children(); ++i)
+          ...
+          }*/
       template<typename TYPE> void toNode(TYPE* member, xml::Node& node) const {
         std::stringstream ss;
         ss<<*member;
-        node[mapMember<TYPE>()[member]].text(ss.str());
+        node.text(ss.str());
       }
       std::map<std::string, const std::type_info*> _xmlNames;
       xml::Factory _xmlFactory;
diff --git a/src/xml.cxx b/src/xml.cxx
index 85440e4..90277d1 100644
--- a/src/xml.cxx
+++ b/src/xml.cxx
@@ -330,6 +330,11 @@ namespace xml {
   std::string Node::name() const throw() {
     return _name;
   }
+  //! Set a new node's tag name.
+  Node& Node::name(const std::string& n) throw() {
+    _name = n;
+    return *this;
+  }
   //! Set minimum number of instances (in a xml::Factory).
   /*! @copydoc limits */
   Node& Node::min(Node::size_type m) throw() {
@@ -598,6 +603,12 @@ namespace xml {
     ss>>res;
     return res;
   }
+  String::operator char() const throw() {
+    char res;
+    std::stringstream ss(text());
+    ss>>res;
+    return res;
+  }
   String::operator signed char() const throw() {
     signed char res;
     std::stringstream ss(text());
@@ -849,6 +860,21 @@ namespace xml {
     e.line(_line);
     throw;
   }
+  void Factory::reset() throw() {
+    _line = 0;
+    _open = 0;
+    _template = xml::Node("<xml::start>");
+  }
+  Node& Factory::operator*() throw(factory_not_valid) try {
+    return _template[0];
+  } catch (...) {
+    throw factory_not_valid();
+  }
+  Node*const Factory::operator->() throw(factory_not_valid) try {
+    return &_template[0];
+  } catch (...) {
+    throw factory_not_valid();
+  }
   bool Factory::ws(char c) throw() {
     static char last(0);
     if ((c=='\n'||c=='\r')&&last!='\n'&&last!='\r') ++_line;
@@ -995,32 +1021,118 @@ namespace xml {
                                                  xml::Node& node) {
     //! @todo improve this (inefficient)
     std::stringstream ss; // simple but inefficient: rewrite and reread
-    ss<<node[member->_xmlFactory->name()];
-    member->loadXml(ss);
+    ss<<node;
+    member->loadXml(ss, node.name());
   }
   template<> void Serialize::toNode<Serialize>(Serialize* member,
-                                    xml::Node& node) const {
-    //! @todo improve this (inefficient)
-    std::stringstream ss; // simple but inefficient: write and reread
-    member->saveXml(ss);
-    node[member->_xmlFactory->name()] = *member->_xmlFactory.read(ss);
+                                               xml::Node& node) const {
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    member->saveXml(ss, node.name());
+    xml::Factory factory(node);
+    node = *factory.read(ss);
   }
   //----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Serialize::Serialize() throw() {}
   Serialize::Serialize(const std::string& className) throw():
       _xmlFactory(xml::Node(xml::String(className).limits(1,1))) {
   }
+  Serialize::Serialize(const Serialize& other) throw() {
+    copy(other);
+  }
   Serialize::~Serialize() {
-    // Remove my entries from the maps
+    clear();
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::operator=(const Serialize& other) throw() {
+    copy(other);
+    return *this;
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::className(const std::string& name) throw() {
+    xml::Node node(xml::Node(xml::String(name).limits(1,1)));
+    if (_xmlFactory) {
+      for (xml::Node::size_type i(0); i<_xmlFactory->children(); ++i)
+        node<<(*_xmlFactory)[i];
+    }
+    _xmlFactory=node;
+    return *this;
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(Serialize& ser,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    if (!ser._xmlFactory) ser.initXmlMembers();
+    mapName<Serialize>()[std::make_pair(this, name)] = &ser;
+    mapMember<Serialize>()[&ser] = name;
+    _xmlNames[name] = &typeid(Serialize);
+    xml::Node schema(*_xmlFactory);
+    xml::Node node(xml::Node(name).limits(1,1));
+    for (xml::Node::size_type i(0); i<ser._xmlFactory->children(); ++i)
+      node<<(*ser._xmlFactory)[i];
+    _xmlFactory = schema<<node;
+    return *this;
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(bool& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(char& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(unsigned char& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(signed char& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(unsigned short& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(signed short& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(unsigned int& member,
+                               const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(signed int& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(unsigned long& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(signed long& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(float& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(double& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  Serialize& Serialize::persist(std::string& member,
+                                const std::string& name) throw() {
+    return persistSimpleType(member, name);
+  }
+  std::ostream& Serialize::saveXml(std::ostream& os,
+                                   const std::string& name) const throw() {
+    if (!_xmlFactory) const_cast<Serialize*>(this)->initXmlMembers();
+    xml::Node node(*_xmlFactory);
+    if (name.size()) node.name(name);
     for (std::map<std::string, const std::type_info*>::const_iterator
            it(_xmlNames.begin());
          it!=_xmlNames.end(); ++it) {
 #define QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(TYPE)                            \
-      if (*it->second==typeid(TYPE)) {                                  \
-        mapMember<TYPE>()                                               \
-          .erase(mapName<TYPE>()[std::make_pair(this, it->first)]);     \
-        mapName<TYPE>().erase(std::make_pair(this, it->first));         \
-      } else
+      if (*it->second==typeid(TYPE))                                    \
+        toNode(mapName<TYPE>()[std::make_pair(this, it->first)],        \
+               node[it->first]);                                        \
+      else
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(Serialize)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(std::string)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(float)
@@ -1038,34 +1150,24 @@ namespace xml {
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(long)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(signed long)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(unsigned long)
-      {} // ignore coding error here, but memory leaks - better abort?
+      throw std::runtime_error(it->second->name());
 #undef QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX
-    }
-  }
-  Serialize& Serialize::className(const std::string& name) throw() {
-    _xmlFactory=xml::Node(xml::String(name).limits(1,1));
-    return *this;
-  }
-  Serialize& Serialize::persist(Serialize& ser) throw() {
-    ser.initXmlMembers();
-    std::string name(ser._xmlFactory->name());
-    mapName<Serialize>()[std::make_pair(this, name)] = &ser;
-    mapMember<Serialize>()[&ser] = name;
-    _xmlNames[name] = &typeid(Serialize);
-    xml::Node schema(*_xmlFactory);
-    schema<<*ser._xmlFactory;
-    _xmlFactory = schema;
-    return *this;
+    }      
+    os<<node;
+    return os;
   }
-  std::ostream& Serialize::saveXml(std::ostream& os) const throw() {
-    if (!_xmlFactory) const_cast<Serialize*>(this)->initXmlMembers();
-    xml::Node node(*_xmlFactory);
+  std::istream& Serialize::loadXml(std::istream& is, const std::string& name) {
+    if (!_xmlFactory) initXmlMembers();
+    xml::Factory factory(_xmlFactory);
+    if (name.size()) factory->name(name);
+    std::auto_ptr<xml::Node> node(factory.read(is));
     for (std::map<std::string, const std::type_info*>::const_iterator
            it(_xmlNames.begin());
          it!=_xmlNames.end(); ++it) {
 #define QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(TYPE)                            \
       if (*it->second==typeid(TYPE))                                    \
-        toNode(mapName<TYPE>()[std::make_pair(this, it->first)], node); \
+        fromNode(mapName<TYPE>()[std::make_pair(this, it->first)],      \
+                 (*node)[it->first]);                                   \
       else
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(Serialize)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(std::string)
@@ -1086,26 +1188,33 @@ namespace xml {
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(unsigned long)
       throw std::runtime_error(it->second->name());
 #undef QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX
-    }      
-    os<<node;
-    return os;
+    }
+    return is;
   }
-  std::istream& Serialize::loadXml(std::istream& is) {
-    if (!_xmlFactory) initXmlMembers();
-    std::auto_ptr<xml::Node> node(_xmlFactory.read(is));
+  std::string Serialize::schema() const throw() {
+    if (!_xmlFactory) const_cast<Serialize*>(this)->initXmlMembers();
+    std::stringstream ss;
+    ss<<*_xmlFactory;
+    return ss.str();
+  }
+  void Serialize::initXmlMembers() {}
+  void Serialize::clear() throw() {
+    // Remove my entries from the maps
     for (std::map<std::string, const std::type_info*>::const_iterator
            it(_xmlNames.begin());
          it!=_xmlNames.end(); ++it) {
-#define QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(TYPE)                               \
-      if (*it->second==typeid(TYPE))                                       \
-        fromNode(mapName<TYPE>()[std::make_pair(this, it->first)], *node); \
-      else
+#define QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(TYPE)                            \
+      if (*it->second==typeid(TYPE)) {                                  \
+        mapMember<TYPE>()                                               \
+          .erase(mapName<TYPE>()[std::make_pair(this, it->first)]);     \
+        mapName<TYPE>().erase(std::make_pair(this, it->first));         \
+      } else
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(Serialize)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(std::string)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(float)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(double)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(bool)
-      //QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(char)
+      QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(char)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(signed char)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(unsigned char)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(short)
@@ -1117,11 +1226,14 @@ namespace xml {
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(long)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(signed long)
       QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX(unsigned long)
-      throw std::runtime_error(it->second->name());
+      {} // ignore coding error here, but memory leaks - better abort?
 #undef QWERTZ_CHECK_TYPE_ZTREWQ___XXX
     }
-    return is;
   }
-  void Serialize::initXmlMembers() {}
+  void Serialize::copy(const Serialize& o) throw() {
+    clear();
+    _xmlFactory.reset();
+    initXmlMembers();
+  }
   
 }
diff --git a/test/serialization_test.cxx b/test/serialization_test.cxx
index db5fe5e..3d92e85 100644
--- a/test/serialization_test.cxx
+++ b/test/serialization_test.cxx
@@ -31,6 +31,58 @@ class A: public xml::Serialize {
     }
 };
 
+class B: public xml::Serialize {
+  public:
+    long aLong;
+    char aChar;
+  protected:
+    void initXmlMembers() {
+      className("B");
+      persist(aLong, "aLong");
+      persist(aChar, "aChar");
+    }
+};
+
+class B2: public B {
+  public:
+    float aFloat;
+    short aShort;
+  protected:
+    void initXmlMembers() {
+      B::initXmlMembers();
+      className("B2");
+      persist(aFloat, "float");
+      persist(aShort, "short");
+    }
+};
+
+// Complex Example: Class A2 is a class that inherits another class
+// (A) and contains a class (B2) that inherits another class (B)
+class A2: public A {
+  public:
+    std::string aText;
+    B2 childOfB;
+  protected:
+    void initXmlMembers() {
+      A::initXmlMembers();
+      className("A2");
+      persist(aText, "aText");
+      persist(childOfB, "childOfB");
+    }
+};
+
+class C: public xml::Serialize {
+  public:
+    A2 a2;
+    B2 b2;
+  protected:
+    void initXmlMembers() {
+      className("C")
+        .persist(a2, "a2")
+        .persist(b2, "b2");
+    }
+};
+
 class SerializationTest: public CppUnit::TestFixture {
   public:
     std::string _file;
@@ -91,10 +143,203 @@ class SerializationTest: public CppUnit::TestFixture {
                            a._anotherString);
       CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(4123674622ul, a._aLong);
     }
+    void complexLoad() {
+      std::stringstream ss("<A2>\n"
+                           "  <anInteger>-1234</anInteger>\n"
+                           "  <aBool>1</aBool>\n"
+                           "  <aDouble>3.141</aDouble>\n"
+                           "  <aString>This is A inside of A2</aString>\n"
+                           "  <anotherString>Another A-String</anotherString>\n"
+                           "  <aLong>1234567890</aLong>\n"
+                           "  <aText>Text from A2</aText>\n"
+                           "  <childOfB>\n"
+                           "      <aLong>987654321</aLong>\n"
+                           "      <aChar>Q</aChar>\n"
+                           "      <float>2.5</float>\n"
+                           "      <short>-127</short>\n"
+                           "  </childOfB>\n"
+                           "</A2>");
+      A2 a2;
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string("<A2>\n"
+                                       "\t<anInteger/>\n"
+                                       "\t<aBool/>\n"
+                                       "\t<aDouble/>\n"
+                                       "\t<aString/>\n"
+                                       "\t<anotherString/>\n"
+                                       "\t<aLong/>\n"
+                                       "\t<aText/>\n"
+                                       "\t<childOfB>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aLong/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aChar/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<float/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<short/>\n"
+                                       "\t</childOfB>\n"
+                                       "</A2>"), a2.schema());
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_NO_THROW(a2.loadXml(ss));
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(-1234, a2._anInteger);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(true, a2._aBool);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(3.141, a2._aDouble);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string("This is A inside of A2"), a2._aString);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string("Another A-String"), a2._anotherString);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(1234567890ul, a2._aLong);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string("Text from A2"), a2.aText);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(987654321l, a2.childOfB.aLong);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL('Q', a2.childOfB.aChar);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(2.5f, a2.childOfB.aFloat);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL((short)-127, a2.childOfB.aShort);
+    }
+    void complexSave() {
+      A2 a2;
+      a2._anInteger = -1234;
+      a2._aBool = true;
+      a2._aDouble = 3.141;
+      a2._aString = std::string("This is A inside of A2");
+      a2._anotherString = std::string("Another A-String");
+      a2._aLong = 1234567890ul;
+      a2.aText = std::string("Text from A2");
+      a2.childOfB.aLong = 987654321l;
+      a2.childOfB.aChar = 'Q';
+      a2.childOfB.aFloat = 2.5f;
+      a2.childOfB.aShort = (short)-127;
+      std::stringstream ss;
+      a2.saveXml(ss);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL
+        (std::string("<A2>\n"
+                     "\t<anInteger>-1234</anInteger>\n"
+                     "\t<aBool>1</aBool>\n"
+                     "\t<aDouble>3.141</aDouble>\n"
+                     "\t<aString>This is A inside of A2</aString>\n"
+                     "\t<anotherString>Another A-String</anotherString>\n"
+                     "\t<aLong>1234567890</aLong>\n"
+                     "\t<aText>Text from A2</aText>\n"
+                     "\t<childOfB>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aLong>987654321</aLong>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aChar>Q</aChar>\n"
+                     "\t\t<float>2.5</float>\n"
+                     "\t\t<short>-127</short>\n"
+                     "\t</childOfB>\n"
+                     "</A2>"), ss.str());
+    }
+    void moreComplexLoad() {
+      std::stringstream ss
+        ("<C>\n"
+         "  <a2>\n"
+         "    <anInteger>-1234</anInteger>\n"
+         "    <aBool>1</aBool>\n"
+         "    <aDouble>3.141</aDouble>\n"
+         "    <aString>This is A inside of A2</aString>\n"
+         "    <anotherString>Another A-String</anotherString>\n"
+         "    <aLong>1234567890</aLong>\n"
+         "    <aText>Text from A2</aText>\n"
+         "    <childOfB>\n"
+         "      <aLong>987654321</aLong>\n"
+         "      <aChar>Q</aChar>\n"
+         "      <float>2.5</float>\n"
+         "      <short>-127</short>\n"
+         "    </childOfB>\n"
+         "  </a2>\n"
+         "  <b2>\n"
+         "    <aLong>212121</aLong>\n"
+         "    <aChar>W</aChar>\n"
+         "    <float>2.25</float>\n"
+         "    <short>124</short>\n"
+         "  </b2>\n"
+         "</C>");
+      C c;
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string("<C>\n"
+                                       "\t<a2>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<anInteger/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aBool/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aDouble/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aString/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<anotherString/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aLong/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aText/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<childOfB>\n"
+                                       "\t\t\t<aLong/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t\t<aChar/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t\t<float/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t\t<short/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t</childOfB>\n"
+                                       "\t</a2>\n"
+                                       "\t<b2>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aLong/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<aChar/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<float/>\n"
+                                       "\t\t<short/>\n"
+                                       "\t</b2>\n"
+                                       "</C>"), c.schema());
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_NO_THROW(c.loadXml(ss));
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(-1234, c.a2._anInteger);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(true, c.a2._aBool);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(3.141, c.a2._aDouble);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string("This is A inside of A2"),
+                           c.a2._aString);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string("Another A-String"),
+                           c.a2._anotherString);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(1234567890ul, c.a2._aLong);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(std::string("Text from A2"), c.a2.aText);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(987654321l, c.a2.childOfB.aLong);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL('Q', c.a2.childOfB.aChar);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(2.5f, c.a2.childOfB.aFloat);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL((short)-127, c.a2.childOfB.aShort);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(212121l, c.b2.aLong);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL('W', c.b2.aChar);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL(2.25f, c.b2.aFloat);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL((short)124, c.b2.aShort);
+    }
+    void moreComplexSave() {
+      C c;
+      c.a2._anInteger = -1234;
+      c.a2._aBool = true;
+      c.a2._aDouble = 3.141;
+      c.a2._aString = std::string("This is A inside of A2");
+      c.a2._anotherString = std::string("Another A-String");
+      c.a2._aLong = 1234567890ul;
+      c.a2.aText = std::string("Text from A2");
+      c.a2.childOfB.aLong = 987654321l;
+      c.a2.childOfB.aChar = 'Q';
+      c.a2.childOfB.aFloat = 2.5f;
+      c.a2.childOfB.aShort = (short)-127;
+      c.b2.aLong = 212121l;
+      c.b2.aChar = 'W';
+      c.b2.aFloat = 2.25f;
+      c.b2.aShort = (short)124;
+      std::stringstream ss;
+      c.saveXml(ss);
+      CPPUNIT_ASSERT_EQUAL
+        (std::string("<C>\n"
+                     "\t<a2>\n"
+                     "\t\t<anInteger>-1234</anInteger>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aBool>1</aBool>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aDouble>3.141</aDouble>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aString>This is A inside of A2</aString>\n"
+                     "\t\t<anotherString>Another A-String</anotherString>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aLong>1234567890</aLong>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aText>Text from A2</aText>\n"
+                     "\t\t<childOfB>\n"
+                     "\t\t\t<aLong>987654321</aLong>\n"
+                     "\t\t\t<aChar>Q</aChar>\n"
+                     "\t\t\t<float>2.5</float>\n"
+                     "\t\t\t<short>-127</short>\n"
+                     "\t\t</childOfB>\n"
+                     "\t</a2>\n"
+                     "\t<b2>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aLong>212121</aLong>\n"
+                     "\t\t<aChar>W</aChar>\n"
+                     "\t\t<float>2.25</float>\n"
+                     "\t\t<short>124</short>\n"
+                     "\t</b2>\n"
+                     "</C>"), ss.str());
+    }
     CPPUNIT_TEST_SUITE(SerializationTest);
     CPPUNIT_TEST(memberDeclaration);
     CPPUNIT_TEST(store);
     CPPUNIT_TEST(restore);
+    CPPUNIT_TEST(complexLoad);
+    CPPUNIT_TEST(complexSave);
+    CPPUNIT_TEST(moreComplexLoad);
+    CPPUNIT_TEST(moreComplexSave);
     CPPUNIT_TEST_SUITE_END();
 };
 CPPUNIT_TEST_SUITE_REGISTRATION(SerializationTest);