Today, I read a look-up request from a subscriber to one of the lists that I subscribe to. It is by no means the first such e-let I've seen, but I'd like to do what I can to make sure it's the last. ("E-let" is my self-coined term for "e-mail letter") I've omitted the details, because my objective, here, is not to embarass anyone, but to point out a problem that I'm finding to be increasingly common. The request essentially said: > Need a census look-up for 18xx and 18xx for Such-and-such > county for the XYZ Surname. My relative was an XYZ. > > Albert XYZ In this age of computers and e-mail, it's very easy to allow ourselves to become more and more impersonal and it's something we need to guard against. The attitude that this request conveys is: "Look this up for me." No "please"; no "thank you"; no background information that might make this process interesting for the person who might be able and willing to perform such a look-up. As a help-list volunteer for my county genealogical society, I wanted to take this opportunity to pass along some rules for help-list and look-up etiquette that I think some people really need to hear. For the rest of us, a refresher probably won't hurt. The first and foremost golden rule for look-ups and help-list requests is to remember that there is a PERSON at the other end of your request. That person has a limited amount of time and energy, in this life, just like you. They may be willing to make the time and effort to look up information, for you, but the very least they deserve, in exchange, is some recognition that they are people, too, and some treatment more friendly than a peremptory "look this up for me". Most of us who do look-ups on an on-going basis are interested in the history and genealogy of our areas, in the stories of pioneers and their families and descendants and other lore that adds to the sense of history that our research is uniquely privy to. You may not know these things, but you can certainly say a few things about yourself and your ancestors, which will let the person whose efforts you are recruiting know that they're dealing with a friendly person who has something interesting to offer in exchange, even if it's only a token gesture. Your information lets us know that you're serious about the information you seek and that you're not just asking for look-ups for every XYZ in the state, hoping to find one you recognize (and, believe me, you'd be surprised how many people DO that!!). Your anecdotal information may even help them find the data you're asking them to check out; and, who knows you may have information of interest to THEM. You don't need to write a novel; just a sentance or two that lets us know that you have a history and a personality and that you appreciate the time and effort we're expending. If you can help us narrow the field of inquiry, that's helpful, too. Those who write to say "Do you have an obit for my great uncle Oscar XYZ?? I think he died between 1875 and 1900 in the western part of the state", have never spent 6 or 8 hours trying, unsuccessfully, to find this information for someone. And a simple "please" and "thank you" wouldn't hurt, either. I am fortunte enough to belong to an area and a society with a lot of volunteer spirit and, when we set up our Linn County, Oregon, help-list page, I had 7 volunteers to start out with. In the two years since then, only one has dropped out, but almost every one of us has had occasion to complain about these kinds of unthinking practices by those submitting requests. And they're not mean people; they're just not thinking about the person at the other end. Also, when you're using a help-list or look-up web-site, only place a given request to ONE volunteer. Some people post their requests to several volunteers, because they think it gives them a better chance of getting the information. I strongly discourage this practice. The people who do this sort of work are volunteers and their time is as valuable as anyone else's. When you ask several people to look up one piece of information, you cause them to spend their valuable time doing work that is completely redundant because someone else is already looking it up. It's a waste of valuable time that could be spent looking up other information. And, believe me, we talk to one another about these requests, to try and get the best possible information to those who seek our help. How would you feel if you did several hours of research only to find that someone else had to do it, too? What chance do think there would be of that same person getting ANOTHER look-up from us?? Instead, write to ONE volunteer and then be patient. If you haven't heard anything in a week or two, write them again. Don't be pushy; remember they are doing this on their own time and they have lives to lead, as well. Most volunteers will help you relatively quickly (i.e. within a couple of days or weeks of your request). If you get no positive response, in another week or two, or if they seem reluctant or overburdened, check to see if there's another volunteer for that county/year. If there is, and if you feel that you're getting nowhere with the one you wrote to first, write to that first volunteer again and ask them how your request is coming along. If nothing's happened with it, tell them that you feel they may be too busy or that you feel you need to get the information more quickly than they may have time for. Let them know that you're seeking the information elsewhere. Be nice about it. They may very well just not have enough time to help you. I know (who better?) what it's like to volunteer for a number of efforts with the best of intentions and then find that it's hard to fulfill them all. We all know that, to one degree or another. Be merciful. Anyway, I didn't mean to get into a long-winded lecture, here, so those of you who have fallen asleep during this e-let can wake up now!! I just wanted to remind you that we're all people and we should all be treated with appropriate respect. Genealogy depends on all of us giving and helping each other. That's a lot easier to do when people know that their efforts are valued and appreciated and not squandered. With the best of wishes to all of you and my personal wish that you succeed in your Quests, I remain, Sincerely Yours, Byron Bray Vice-President, Linn Genealogical Society Linn County, Oregon Listowner: BOVEE-L list ([email protected]) COVERT-L list ([email protected]) [email protected]