In a message dated 98-07-16 16:04:18 EDT, you write: > I also need to understand how you "search" the old lists. Also, is there an > index where one can look for other names that have rootsweb sites? Eleanor and all who are interested. First you go to the main Rootsweb Website at: http://www.rootsweb.com and from there you click on SEARCHES at the top of the page. When you get there you go to the bottom of the page and click on "a million messages from over 2000 Genealogy Mailing Lists" and that will take you to the rootsweb search engine. At that page you type in the name of the list you wish to search which in this case is: GEIGER-L Then you will be able to type in on the next page whatever name or subject you wish the search engine to look for in the back messages posted to this list. For example let's say you wish to check for Valentine Geiger--type that in and click on search. Then you will see a page with all back messages listed which include mention of Valentine Geiger. You can then call up the full text of the messages that interest you. This is a great tool which is used by many people to search the archives at rootsweb. Even non list members can search, and find you and contact you if they connect to something you have written to the list. That is why you should not be discouraged if no one has information for you after you initially post your query to the list. To answer the question about learning of other rootsweb mailing lists like this one for other surnames or localities: you can also start at the main rootsweb page as mentioned above and follow the links to search for the appropriate mailing list you wish to find. Have fun searching! Joan