Thanks to our great List Administrator, Steve Looney, he has graciously allowed me to announce and introduce a new List and website for researchers of the area.... PLEASE do not misunderstand the purpose of this new list [some already have]... It is to HELP and be an EXTENSION of the county list, NEVER to take the place of it... An area list is not uncommon in the United States... there are many counties in other states that have several... This idea just might be uncommon for our area... For that reason, please allow me to tell you about this great opportunity to expand our researching arms.... uh, hmmm........ Ladies and Gentlemen, and children of all ages...[sorry, couldn't resist!] We are proud to announce a new mailing list for Lawrence County researchers... This new List is called OREGON COUNTY HISTORY [don't let the name throw you].. The purpose of this List is simple.... Since Oregon County, MO was much larger than its current size, this mailing list will be a regional/area mailing list that will encompass some of the surrounding counties, such as Ripley, Howell and Shannon in Missouri, and, Fulton and Randolph, and Lawrence Cos. in AR.. As most of you know, Oregon Co., MO was formed from Ripley Co., MO.. Howell Co., MO was formed from Oregon, Oregon Co. families were also found in Shannon [MO], Fulton and Randolph Cos. {AR], and of course, LAWRENCE Co. was the father of all counties [mother??].. so an area site and mailing list, we felt, was needed. Many new finds are being reported so, we don't want Lawrence historians to miss out on perhaps finding some answers to questions that have stumped them for a while... All topics pertaining to the area are being discussed and shared and are for the family researcher and history caretaker. [the topics will be broader than what is allowed on some county lists]. These topics will include census lookups online [I have the microfilms for all the census for Oregon Co. 1850-1920, all transcriptions will be originally transcribed by yours truly], as well as other census lookups for the other counties from the other subscribers; cemetery listings for any and all surrounding counties that have been shared or given permission to put online; grave and stone care [including what type of grave flowers for that red clay soil that is uncommon elsewhere in the country], and so much more... We know that families went across the line constantly,and one year they are in one census in one county and/or state, and the next in another county's census [and they might not have moved!]..... The county was much larger back then, and the state and county lines were a little hazy....thus, the need for this mailing list is obvious... We are also well aware that Lawrence County was THE county for many of the families who would later be found in the counties previously mentioned! So, we want to extend a special invitation to all Lawrence County researchers. Again, this new list in no way is meant to harm or dwindle any county's mailing list.. we want to help, not harm.. We are pointing researchers to Lawrence Co. [or the other counties mentioned] and some are becoming aware for the first time about the possible connections in those counties... We welcome all suggestions of what you want or need to see on the list. This is YOUR mailing list! We are neighbors, and yes, the other counties mentioned, received this same announcement... .Nancy Milsap will be our List Administrator for the mailing list, and yours truly [Lanita] will be the List Manager... [the List name was given by rootsweb.] We also are in the process of getting a new website that is still under construction and in its infancy It is also called OREGON COUNTY HISTORY...... Nancy Milsap especially has been busy getting it ready, and we already have some information that has been submitted that has never been used on a county website. So much is 'new' on that site, and even the average or beginner researcher will be thrilled at what is found... Basically, we're trying to combine several resources from the different counties all in one spot... All in an effort to point the historian in the area that they need to go... In addition, to the census original transcriptions from the microfilms, others also have additional resources, who have already committed themselves to share, both on the List, and on the website. So basically, if it pertains to Oregon County in the past or present, or ANY of the surrounding area, it will be 'on topic'. The List is busy, so if you don't like that, or if you are not that serious, then this List might not be for you! To subscribe to the List mode, send to MO-OREGON-HISTORY-L-request@rootsweb.com and type the word subscribe in the subject line and in the message box. If you prefer the digest mode, you will need to send the command instead to MO-OREGON-HISTORY-D-request@rootsweb.com. Hope you will join us! Lanita Sconce Miller ozarkn@southwind.net And thanks, again, Steve, for your wonderful support! Let's all work together to find those ancestors!!