Me too - long time lurker who contributes when and where I can. I too very much appreciate the help offered by so many on this list and elsewhere. Like Nancy I have volunteered for many genealogical projects in my nearly 30 years of researching. I may never personally gain from the information I share. I believe when we pay it forward everyone benefits. Like Gloria, I feel an attachment to this list because of the geographic area and my genealogical ties to it. I enjoy learning from the more knowledgable contributors here. Everything I read on this list gives me a greater understanding of my French connection. Karen, please don't let one mean-spirited comment deter you from asking for help when you need it. We ALL gain from the answers given to every question. (I even learned a little Polish during this discussion!) Peut-être que nous devrions tous essayer d'appliquer la règle d'or? Laura On Thu, Apr 4, 2013 at 10:48 PM, Nancy Archdekin <archde.omaha@cox.net>wrote: > I agree with Gloria. I'm a long time lurker on this list. I post > occasionally when I feel I have something to contribute, but for the > most part I'm a taker and am appreciative of the generosity of those > who provide valuable information for my Alsatian research. I > contribute to the genealogical community in a variety of other ways, > having volunteered at my local FHC for many years and working as a > registrar for a genealogical society for the past 16 years. Each of > us does our part in our own way. It all evens out in the long run. > > Nancy > > At 09:11 PM 4/4/2013, Gloria wrote: > >"Lurking" is a word that maybe should be changed. It has dark > >implications. Researchers may be on a list watching out for > >information that may help in various ways. Perhaps Karen looks at > >various historical references to Alsace-Lorraine but has nothing to > >put on herself. I see nothing wrong with that. I have most of the > >information about my Alsace family but stay on because I feel an > >affinity for Alsace. I am on a Sussex list that has for a couple > >years no information for my family, but one always hopes. It has > >been some time also since I can give on that site, but again it may > happen. > > > >Let's not discourage anyone.

I say....ditto.....to what Laura has just said here. I gained a lot recently with help from Robert Behra.......and try to contribute when I can....recently ....on the Claus family.... I don't think there is really a list quite like this one....with such knowledgeable, friendly, helpful people. Thank you all so very much!!..................Helen -----Original Message----- From: Laura Aanenson <where2look4ancestors@gmail.com> To: alsace-lorraine <alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com> Sent: Fri, Apr 5, 2013 9:57 am Subject: Re: [A-L] Best Alsace-Lorraine free searchable websites request Me too - long time lurker who contributes when and where I can. I too very much appreciate the help offered by so many on this list and elsewhere. Like Nancy I have volunteered for many genealogical projects in my nearly 30 years of researching. I may never personally gain from the information I share. I believe when we pay it forward everyone benefits. Like Gloria, I feel an attachment to this list because of the geographic area and my genealogical ties to it. I enjoy learning from the more knowledgable contributors here. Everything I read on this list gives me a greater understanding of my French connection. Karen, please don't let one mean-spirited comment deter you from asking for help when you need it. We ALL gain from the answers given to every question. (I even learned a little Polish during this discussion!) Peut-être que nous devrions tous essayer d'appliquer la règle d'or? Laura