COUSIN JOHN'S LIST ETIQUETTE & ADVICE This is to help subscribers with their posts to the list. This is not carved in marble and small infractions are certainly tolerated. This list of tips has been compiled by me with the help of many other subscribers. 1- No flaming or rudeness is acceptable on the list. If this rule is violated I will contact the person privately, asking that they refrain from such behavior. If that subscriber continues with this behavior I will remove them from the list. 2- Before sending a post to the list be sure and check the subject line and make certain it is relevant to your posting. When a message has been responded to several times the subject has probably changed and you need to change the subject line. 3- Remember that all replies to postings on this list go to the list, not to the individual subscriber. When you hit the reply button please look and see what address your reply is going to. If it is a personal reply change the address to the person you are sending it to. REMINDER: if you have "reply" and a "reply to all" buttons your posting will go to the list no matter which button you choose unless you change the address. 4- If you are requesting information on one of your ancestors please include dates and places, even if you have to give suppositions. Names only are not acceptable. In every line there are usually many people with the same name. Without some additional information it is impossible to trace the individual. 5- When replying to a message please edit the message before you send it. Read the entire message, not just what you wrote. Highlight any portions that are not relevant and hit the delete key. This includes the "footers" at the end of the message. I have seen some postings with as many as six "footers" at the end of the message. Not removing these just adds useless used space, which is important to some subscribers. If the original message is lengthy by all means edit it. Leave only the important part with your reply. 6- When posting and replying to the list please remember that all of the subscribers are persons worthy of respect. Some are "newbies" and some are "old hands" and all should be treated with courtesy. Do not hide behind the mask that some people feel in internet provides. Communicate as though that person was standing in front of you and remember the good manners your mother taught you . I hope this helps all of us in our communicating with this list. I will probably be adding other thoughts as time goes by. My best to you, John Brandt Listowner