Thank you for asking this vital question, Vicki. As it points out in the FAQ, this list is set up so that, by default, usually "reply to sender" goes to the list. This was set up this way in the assumption that we would be having discussions that would be of interest to other people on the list. Elephants spring to mind for some reason. Some people, however, can set their mail so that, by default, return mail goes just to them, and not the whole list. The rule is: if it is interesting discussion, likely to interest more than just the one recipiant, it should go to the whole list. If it is just a reply to a lookup request (and lookup requests should be restricted to Gippsland families, otherwise AUS-VIC seems to be the place), you should ALWAYS send the reply direct to the person asking, and not via the whole list. This also applies to general chit-chat, and questions about non-Gippsland names you might spot in signatures. Thank you for asking. :) Linda Barraclough Briagolong List Owner: AUS-VIC-GIPPSLAND email: kapana@netspace.net.au http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~surreal/AVG/ At 07:47 AM 04/10/99 -0700, you wrote: >Folks and List Manager, >Just a query, when a look-up on the BDM's is done for a request on the mail list do you want it posted to the list or sent by private e-mail ? Have done a few but usually send them to the personal mail address as not sure whether they would be of interest generally ? >Regards >Vicki Simpson, Gold Coast >