Dear Cousins: This list is now set to auto-reply to the list. Watch your addressee line. When replying to an individual only, be sure you don't have the list address also included. This can save some embarrassment at times! There is no longer a need to use the "reply all" feature to ensure the reply goes to the list. Most messages should be replied to onlist. Private replies regarding genealogy posted should be the exception, rather than the rule. However, you will probably want to keep any exchanges of address and phone numbers to private messages -- *remember all the messages are archived in a worldwide forum.* I have requested the Gateway between the Board and the List be opened. It will happen when David gets a chance to act on the request. I will let you know when I begin to release board messages to the list. I likely will do that on a weekly basis as I do on the Stewart list. It can help keep confusion to a minimum and you will be forewarned, so to speak, when to expect/anticipate Gateway messages hitting the list --- requiring you to visit the Boyd Board (either via Rootsweb OR Ancestry) to respond to the author of the post. There is a link to the board post in each Gatewayed message. The gateway works one way. Board to list. It does not send list messages to the Board. You *will* need a User ID and account to post to the board if you don't already have one. However --- the account is FREE. You will NOT have to pay any fees to use the message board to reply. Do check the automatic privacy setting (for your Rootsweb/Ancestry accounts) to ensure you allow people to view your encrypted email address -- otherwise they will have to have a PAID Ancestry subscription to contact you regarding your BOARD post if they want to email you privately.... (directly, not via the list). I don't mean to confuse you. If you have questions about how this works, email me at Boyd-Admin@rootsweb.com and I will save the questions and post the Q/A to the list so that all will have benefit of the response(s). Truly --- it is easier than it sounds. Just slightly tricky. Mostly it requires "being awake." So... grab some coffee and get ready! Yours Aye, Lauren Boyd List Admin Rootsweb Volunteer since 1996 Ancestry Volunteer since 2000 100+/- Lists, 223 Message Boards