Hi All First my personal thanks to Virginia Gretton for volunteering to produce a newsletter, that is the biggest problem overcome. I envisioned a newsletter as a (cynical?) management tool to keep us volunteers feeling involved. To do this it must contain a name the volunteer can identify with, that is the syndicate name. Virginia's suggestion of last percentage and present percentage is ideal. How about also the number of volunteers in the syndicate. Syn Bin (50) 1850M4 50% 70% Once set up in Excel the updating of this would be easy. The "new percentage" request/reminder could be made on one of the lists. I would suggest distribution to coordinators and for them to manage who doesn't want it. I'm not an expert in Outlook Express to know how easy it is to set up different mailing lists. Funny names and "I transcribed my ggggggggggfather" are fine but I don't think it wants to get like the rootsweb review - I bought a bible in an auction etc. A web site works fine for those motivated to go there, this is e-mail motivation. Those who don't need or want to receive and read it don't have to, that's fine. Peter Cox wrote How about this for a "kinship" item. I'VE JUST BECOME A GRANDAD:o) My first grandchild (a girl) was born on Sunday.Can I send in a Births entry? Since you are a very special case I'm sure Virginia could squeeze you in. CONGRATULATIONS I suggest Virginia starts now by asking all coordinators for their details and just does it. Everyone seems agreed that it will be a good thing. As Editor and Star Reporter what she puts in can be up to her. Must get back to %^*$ handwritten scans. Bob Phillips