Hi family, You all now by now that the BOWER-L has been holding a roll call that started last Sunday. Yours begins today with this message. We haven't had a roll call for quite a while and we're nearing the end of the year. So, before the holidays get us all tied up, let's hold one now ~ beginning today. This will be our last one for the year, so let's make it a good one with lots of bingos. :) Understand cousins, just as you were receiving messages of surname interest crossposted from them, ALL your roll call messages will be crossposted onto the BOWER-L because we have cousins from all four spellings in that research group. TO OUR NEWBIES and NOVICES ~~ (Print this out if you need to) ~~ ROLL CALL FAQs *** A roll call means everyone in the family should post those lines they are looking for. It's kind of like reporting in to the list saying, "here I am ... looking for (whoever)." This is also the time our lurkers come out and "report in." *** You should expect traffic on the BOWER-L to be very heavy this week and part of next. Although you can post a query anytime during the year, roll calls here are special because nearly everyone posts ... including our lurkers. It's an important time and you don't want to miss out, but your mailboxes are going to get full fast. Please be sure to check them daily and keep them emptied so I don't get a bunch of bounced back messages. *** Send your roll call messages DIRECTLY TO THE LIST at [email protected]> or <[email protected]> - depending on the research group you're in. Please DO NOT send them to me as I am only one person with one line when, what you want, is for ALL the cousins to see who you're looking for. *** There is no special format. You just need to remember to include names, dates and places as best you can. *** If you want to see how one is done, you might reread those messages crossposted from the BOWER-L. PLEASE MAKE YOUR SUBJECT LINE READ SOMETHING LIKE THIS: ROLL CALL: Bowers, Isaac (1856-1901, CT > NY) DO _NOT_ MAKE YOUR SUBJECT LINE READ LIKE THIS: John Baur (or) Baur family Why? With all the messages that will go flying through, most of us will only read the subject headings. If you want to capture our attention to read your message, please let us know who is inside and 'entice' us by giving (at least) places. I personally receive over 200 messages a day; others receive even more. With the added weight of a roll call many of us will skip over barebones subject lines and could very well miss a bingo with you. Help us to help you by giving clear subject lines, okay? Thanks. :) Colleen