This lengthy letter may not be the exact one that you received but it is the template that Rootsweb gives us as a guideline. I realize this is very long but it may help us have a more effective list if we review it. RULES * This list is for the discussion of Genealogy and History, primarily regarding Louisa County residents and related families. Discussion of migration patterns, immigration, heraldry, historical sketches, estate settlements, census data, wills, family Bibles, vital records, web sites, etc. as relates to Louisa County is encouraged as well as discussion of collateral families. Public announcements of information of interest to Genealogists in general though it may not be Louisa County-specific is permitted but please use this with discretion. * Do not post virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, etc. For information on virus hoaxes and urban legends see http://www.kumite.com/myths/ among others. * Please do not send file attachments (messages with files appended) to the list. * No rude comments or flaming in the list! No discussion of flaming in the list. For definitions of flaming and related information see http://www.man.ac.uk/~zlsiira/Netiquette/flame.html and http://www.pass.wayne.edu/~twk/flaming.html * Do not impose any other rules or conditions, expressed or implied elsewhere, upon this list. Rules of other forums may not necessarily apply here. Do not try to regulate this list. If you do not like the way someone formats their queries or responses, or the content of their subject titles, take it up with the listowner, NOT in the list. The list is for Genealogy and History. GUIDELINES * Small gedcom files are discouraged but not banned from the list (send in a message, NOT as a file attachment) as long as the resulting message is no larger than 61440 bytes maximum. * Try to keep quoting to a minimum. "Quoting" is repeating text of the message you are replying to. Some quoting is necessary to remind other readers what the thread is about but do try to use good judgement. Quoting the previous writer's signature block or surname list is totally unnecessary. * Surname lists are okay but please try to limit them to say, half a dozen names. Any more than that and many people just won't read them. Try keeping several small lists and rotate them with each succeeding message. SUBSCRIPTIONS * Subscription commands go to IALOUISA-l-request@rootsweb.com -or- IALOUISA-d-request@rootsweb.com I repeat, to subscribe or to unsubscribe send an email to IALOUISA-l-request@rootsweb.com -or- IALOUISA-d-request@rootsweb.com and put subscribe (and nothing else) or unsubscribe (and nothing else) in the body of the message. Again, all subscription commands go to IALOUISA-l-request@rootsweb.com or IALOUISA-d-request@rootsweb.com not to the list! You can use CAPS or lowercase, it doesn't matter. POSTING MESSAGES * To post a message (query, reply or other IALOUISA data) to the list, send it to IALOUISA-l@rootsweb.com It helps to remember to put something in the "subject line". TIPS * Accuracy is important and sources are vital. Ancestor lists are worthless if the information is wrong. * All information need not be accompanied by source citations, but I do recommend strongly that posts either include sources or a note stating that they are available on request. * If information is speculation then label it as such until it is proven or commonly accepted as fact. * When posting your query try to give as much information as you know, i.e. dates and places of all vital events if known, along with enough other family members so that the reader can positively identify if they are researching the same family. "Anyone out there researching SAMPLEs?" just doesn't cut it. * When replying to the list (this also can apply to private replies) try to quote some portions of the previous message so that other readers are reminded what the "thread" is about. Make it clear what is quoted material and what you are adding. Most mail readers take care of this for you by inserting greater-than signs ">" at the beginning of each quoted line or possibly double brackets "<<" before and ">>" after the quoted piece. Use standard Windows procedures to "cut" unnecessary material. * Post your query frequently, perhaps once a month, if you have not yet found your ancestor. New people are joining the list all the time and they may have the info you need. * Please send IALOUISA replies to the list, not just to the original poster. Other members may benefit from the data that you provide. FURTHER INFORMATION See the following URLs for information on Genealogy lists: http://users.aol.com/johnf14246/gen_mail.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist ABOUT RootsWeb was founded in 1996 by Dr. Brian Leverich and Karen Isaacson. Due to their foresight, expertise and financial contributions, we're all here enjoying one or many of the mailing lists and web offerings which reside here at RootsWeb. We are fortunate, indeed, to have all this genealogy at our disposal. To find out more about what else is available, go to and explore a bit. And if you are not yet a member or sponsor of RootsWeb, do consider joining. Your support added to that of many others can help sustain and nourish this wonderful resource. Happy hunting! Norma Jennings Listowner .