| Genealogy Mailing Lists |
These "lists", usually concerned with specific countries, states, territories, provences, counties, and surnames, enable fellow genealogists (both amature and professional) from around the world to interact and exchange data via e-mail.
Not only can those just getting started at climbing their family trees learn the tricks of the trade from the veterans and exchange data, but they can also get a feel for the areas their ancestor(s) lived in.
Many list "members" have a variety of data base resources available to them and will do free "look-ups" for fellow members, as their time allows. These can range from vintage maps, census records, the IGI, local history, birth, marriage and burial entries from local churches and parishes, assorted registeries for specific groups and directories.
How these "lists" usually work is that "List Members" post their questions and comments via e-mail to a primary "List Address". The "list owner" then sends copies of these "postings" to every member of the list, usually in one of two forms: "List" or "Digest".
*List form postings arrive as individual e-mails.
*Digest form postings arrive as a group or collection of e-mails.
Note: while some lists provide you with a choice as to how you can receive postings, other lists offer only one.
Either way each member receives copies of all postings to the list, including any that they posted themselves.
Joining, or "subscribing" to, a "List" is usually very simple, but even so, some people run into trouble simply because they did not read the instructions COMPLETELY for each list they want to join. These instructions do vary.
One of the most common mistake is that they send their "subscribe" request to the primary "list address" rather then to the special list address that handles such matters.
That or their message is not properly worded. Many of the larger lists handle the business of subscribing/unsubscribing through a program which only "reads" one of two words in a word message format: either SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE.
Such lists require you to send an e-mail, to the special address, with only the word "Subscribe" (without the quotes) as the subject line of your request to be added to the list. Due to the way in which some outgoing mail systems are set up, the server may actually read the first line of text as the subject line. Therefore, for mailing lists that require "Subscribe" as the subject line, it is recommended that "Subscribe" (without the quotes) also be included as the ONLY TEXT of your request. For all other lists, place "Subscribe" in the subject line (if your mail program requires it) and place the "Subscribe" statement as the ONLY TEXT in the body of your message. If you type in more then requested, such as: "I would like to subscribe to this list.", the program will reject the message as unreadable since it can only read the first word, in this case "I".
Welcome packages are generally provided when you subscribe.
It is recommended that these be KEPT ON FILE since they contain important information about posting, unsubscribing, and other aspects of list membership that will be useful to you in the future. So print off a copy and tuck it away.
* When first joining a list, consider waiting a bit to send your first posting. Read the other postings for a few days or more to see what and how others are posting. This way when you do send in a posting, it will be written in a manner compatible with the list and make a good 1st impression.
*Make your first posting a brief "introduction". Tell the group a bit about yourself, what you can offer in the way of look-ups and end with a list of the surnames you want to research through the list.
*List your surnames in a manner that can be easily and quickly read, such as:
ADAMS, BROWN, CHAPMAN, DRAKE, EDWARDS, FRANKLIN, GRANGER.
(All capital letters, a coma and space between each surname, in alphabetical order and listed horizonally)
*When posting a request, always spell surnames in all capital letters:
"Seeking information on Andrew WHITEING, b: 1844 in Hull." for example.
*Always include your list of surnames after your signature EVERY TIME you post to the list.
(TIP: Send yourself an e-mail containing only your signature followed by your list of surnames. Keep this e-mail in your e-mail files to "copy and paste" onto the end of your postings, saves a lot of time!) New members join daily, this will insure that your list is known to all, and increase your chances of linking with others who have data to share on your surnames.
*Remember to keep your postings friendly, open and honest.
If you're just getting started, say so.
*Don't be tempted to send a long multiple item request or flood the list postings with batches of individual requests all at one time in the hopes of getting "all the answers to all your questions" right away. This seldom brings the desired results. Remember, members volunteer their time and knowledge, don't abuse their favors. Often, those with the most resources are also the most busy doing look-ups for others. If your requests are too numerous in any given posting or on any given day, they may be passed over simply because those who could help haven't the time to handle so much.
*Many members belong to multiple lists and have hundreds of postings to sort through every day. Make yours easy to read so it will be read!
And so, where do you find these wonderfull lists to join?
ALSO: http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist/
As well as for individual states and counties in the USA and surnames!
* Please note that a number of lists are included for various countries and areas of the world where the list descriptions do not specifically address genealogy. While these lists are not devoted to genealogy, the list owners have indicated that genealogy is an acceptable, though in some cases unusual, subject for the list.
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