Use an email address that will last. How many addresses have you had in the past year, 2 years, 5 years? Chances are that others cannot reach you because yours has changed. Sign up for a free account and then use that address for all genealogy correspondence. In addition, when corresponding with other researchers, be sure to exchange permanent mailing addresses and/or phone numbers in case either of your email address changes. This will ensure that you will still have a way to contact each other. Before publishing a query to a message board or mailing list, search the archives for that board/list. Perhaps your answer is there because it has previously been asked and answered. You may find an "instant cousin" that way. Golden rule for data entering locations: enter the location so there can be no misinterpretation by others as to the location being expressed. For example, if abbreviations are used, will they be clear to other researchers who are unfamiliar with the jurisdictions? Golden rule for data entry of dates: enter the date so there is no misinterpretation by others as to the date being expressed. For example, what is meant by 8/5/87? Possible interpretations could be August 5, May 8, 1787, 1887, 1987, etc. Cemetery: A marble orchard not to be taken for granite. Epitaph on Tombstone: Here lie the bones of my former honey. He thought the mushrooms tasted funny. .......the above from The Genealogy Daily Desk Calendar.. Linda Mailing List Administrator