Hi, Based on messages earlier today, it would seem that some new people are confused about what the Davidson list (and the other 1000's of RootsWeb lists) are. It is not a web site that you can check into every so often for your research needs. But, Mary - your list admin - does provide a superb research site that we all should use as our first stop when doing research. Its address is http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~genea/davidson.html and she keeps it a deep dark secret by not telling anyone about it, except in the tag line of every message on this list. It is free. I hope that you will use it. What an email list is is a subscription service to whatever messages any of the members choose to send to it. If you subscribe, you get them all. Once you subscribe, do not assume that just because you receive the message that it is a personal message for you. Normally, when you see a message with [DAVIDSON-L} in the title, this will mean that it was sent to the list. And when you REPLY to a one of these messages, it will normally go to the list and not just the person who sent the message. So... if you intend to send a personal or private message, please check who it is going to. And most people will not mind if you make a mistake and send a personal message to the list ONCE. The purpose of an email list is to allow us to collaborate on our research. I may be working on one line and someone else may be working on the same line and we get to know that we have a common interest. Most of the messages will not be pertinent. But when you find one that is, you may have a gem that helps you break through one of your brick walls. That is why it is important to make sure that in the title of your message you give readers a quick idea of who you are interested in. Whenever possible, please provide details. Chuck, you just made a great breakthrough. I am sure that there is someone on the list who can use that data. Giving us the details of that family might be helpful to the list. And it might also be helpful to someone who is not on the list now. Did you know that ALL of the message of this list are archived and you can search them? That means that someone who is not on the list now (or even ever) can search through the messages and may find the clue for their brick wall. And lastly, remember that new people are joining the list every day. There is nothing wrong with coming back every so often (but not too often) and asking again if anyone else is looking for your research line. Normally, Mary will call a Roll Call and that is a good time to do that. Another good time to do that is when you first join a list. It is a way of introducing yourself to the other members on the list. Have a great holiday weekend - stay safe - and stay healthy, john. Burlington, MA www.tqsi.com/davidson