Ardath and all, No offense is taken in your questions. It has been a few years ago that this project was first thought of, so I'm sure many listmembers have joined since that time. When the project was still only an idea, listmembers nominated the committee. After the nominees accepted, the list then voted the committee. At that time, we began having gedcom files sent to us, as well as any other type files anyone wanted to send. We began merging the files into one master file for each line, then began putting them on the website. I think alot of the bad email we got from the project came from people not on the list. I guess these people just thought it was the committee's website, since our email addresses were the ones linked on the site. They just didn't realize this was a project undertaken by an entire list, and didn't understand that we were not experts on each line shown. One thing I do want the list to know is that Julia put her heart and soul into this project. She put in many hours, as she was the one who got most of the information actually loaded and formatted for the website. Another thing I want the list to know is how much the entire committee appreciates each person on this list. Especially those of you that entrusted us with your research. We know that many of you have spend years and years researching your lines, and we know how much trust it takes for you to just hand that information to this committee. Julia has had more than any one person should ever have to deal with thrown on her over the last few years. I know that at this time, she just simply cannot work on the project. I know John also has things keeping him from working on it as well. Arvil is slowing down on his research, so his time is limited as well. At this time, the amount I can do on the project is very limited as well. I am dealing with major changes in my life right now, and my hands are rather full. I don't want to promise more than I can deliver right now. In order to volunteer, it only takes an email to any of us offering your help. We welcome any and all help, especially right now. We do apologize for not getting all changes and links added to the site as soon as they have been sent to us. You aren't forgotten, just momentarily lost in the shuffle. The biggest problem in recruiting help in making these changes comes down to finding people who can design and put up a website, as well as translate the gedcom files over to html format. In order to make any changes, you basically need that knowledge. It is a great project, but I think the approach of putting each line as submitted on the site is the fairest way to do this. For those who don't have their own websites, the lines could be done much as they are now, linking each through a sort of table of contents page. Each researcher who submits a line could be the email link on their pages. Thank you for all the support and encouragement from all of you. As each of us walks our own path of life, your words have made that journey easier just when it was the hardest. You are a great group of people. I look forward to getting back to work on the project, and hope it is not long until the entire committee is able to do that. Until then, if anyone has suggestions or input on how best to put this project online, please let us hear them. The main thing is to keep the project alive so all Hancock researchers can benefit from it. Lisa Check out my website at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/7502/index.html ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ardath Buckaway" <bqueen@compusmart.ab.ca> To: <HANCOCK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 4:06 PM Subject: [HANCOCK-L] How often do you vote? > Hi again Lisa, > > I may be asking stupid questions, but I would just like to know. I am going to break up one of your notes to do this, and delete other parts. > > "I would like to clarify one point in Bob's message. We did not volunteer, > we were asked and voted on by the list to put this data together." > > How often do you take a vote, and why are there no Volunteers? It sure sounds like you could use them. > > "We have been bombarded with very nasty emails when there are differences of opinions on lines." > > If this has been a democratic style, then those people should know what the rules are and they could be stated on the Web Site. > > "We never agreed to research each line to find out which opinion > was correct. These emails prompted some of the lines to be taken off the > Project site." > > .It would make for better relations if these charts were put up and the person's E-mail, so they could squabble between themselves without the rest of us having to put up with their nonsense > > > I think each of the members of the committee who put so much time into this > Project, have had their own personal challenges to deal with that we did not > anticipate. That type of thing just happens. It's not an excuse, it's just > a fact of life. > > Can people be nominated to the committee or could people volunteer to help. This is a good project, but it looks like more help is needed. There should be others, willing to jump in and fill a space, even once in a while or for a certain term. What about people taking a turn looking after those in their own line? > > There are many people who don't have a voice, because they don't have a web site, only E-mail. Isn't there some way that could be found to listen to some of those people. I sent in my files a long time ago, but my E-mail address has never gone on this site as a researcher, so I become one of the silent majority. > > Please don't think I am putting anyone down. I think all of you have done a great job, and Julia has had more than her share of family problems. My heart goes out to her, but who can step in now to help Lisa. I have heard that John has not been well either, so isn't it time for others to put their back to the wheel? How does a person volunteer? > > Maybe I am a bit slow, or the lack of intelligence is my problem, but I just would like some answers to questions, I know absolutely nothing about. > > I just don't understand. Hang in there Julia, our thoughts are with you. > > A Hancock Cousin, > Ardath > > > > ==== HANCOCK Mailing List ==== > Feel free to post the data you find on HANCOCK > in your research. Census, bible, wills, marriages, > deaths, cemetery, deeds, tax lists, and other > useful data. You might help a cousin who needs it. >