Bill is bringing up something that concerns me also. That is an attitude of some people that prompts them to takes from lists but never to give something to the process. These Rootsweb lists are wonderful. They give us a place where we, as ordinary individuals can share information others may be looking for. Yes, since I belong to many lists, I often glance at messages and delete ones that are of no interest to me. I simply do not have the space on my computer to keep them all, and with list archives I don't have to. But there is the other half of the process. That of doing the work to post information that will help others. I can be part of the process by posting information I find in the public and genealogy libraries in my area that will help others. Informatiion I can find because I live here in the area. Over the years I have posted just this type of information on the various lists that serve the central Connecticut area where I live. I have also freely done research in response to messages posted because I have access to material that is readily available here, but not elsewhere. As I research my surnames I often find information that would help others, and I share that on the surname name lists since I find information from other places. Freely SHARING with others that to which you have access is part of the process. I belong to three lists in this area the CRV, Hartford County, and Middlesex county. There are people on all of these lists freely sharing information for the benefit of others. I am looking for information in such far away places as Pike County Ohio, Franklin County , and Jewell County Kansas. These are just three ordinary places where my pioneer ancestor lived as the family migrated across the continent. And this migration occurred before towns and counties were recording such vital records as births and deaths. Many places started to keep marriage records much earlier than birth and death records. While the information I need may be available in materials found in local libraries and county or town records, I have no access to them because I live to far away. If we all do something to help right where we live, everyone will find information they need someplace, and more of the lists will be much more active. Spend a part of your research time Giving to Others and there will be more for everyone to receive. I urge all of you to become part of the CHAIN of GIVING, and on some links in the Chain you will also receive. Do what you can, when you can. These Rootsweb mailing lists make it easy for everyone to participate. There are not hassles of creating a web page. Just type out the material, proof read it, and then send as regular e-mail. Everyone can do something, but only you can decide individually how much you can do, and when you can do it. (Tip: I've been doing this so long now, that I find it easier to type the material up in my word processing program. When it is ready I just copy the whole thing into an e-mail. This way I can work at my own pace. If it takes me a week or two, so what. And I can break the material up into several smaller parts; as you see others on the list doing.) (Another Tip: Photocopy the material at the library and work within an allotted amount. I spread my photo copying out over time, never spending more than I can afford at any time. The last major project I tackled was so big I spread the work, and cost (about $10), out over six months. Whenever possible, I copy two pages on one sheet of paper. This works for most book. Sometimes I have to reduce the copy by about 5%, but it is still easy to read.) And what's in it for you? The joy of successfully growing your family tree and seeing others grow theirs. Marilyn CT On Sun, 24 Mar 2002 18:29:25 -0600 "wcfargeaux" <[email protected]> writes: > I am impressed with the frankness of a lister who said that if > it > "helps" him he'll look at a post but if not boom! He hits the old > delete > key. Translated, you take but you don't give. As you said, I bet > you are > not the only one on this list...which disappoints me. It's the > pride and > arrogance I hear in your voice that pisses me off! You and your > "friends" > can shove this list. > I love this country...such warm people! > Bill Fargo > >