Terry and others, The list is 'preset' to encourage replies to come back to the list. Very often a question is asked that several people may benefit from and a public answer is preferable. In order to "take mail private", a little more effort is required by the sender. This is true for many Rootsweb lists and is good to understand. Unfortunately, not everyone's mail program works the same. Here are 2 things you can try to see what works with your program. The first way is easier if it works for you. 1. Try clicking on "reply to all" from a list message. For some, this will send a reply to both the author and the list (for others, it will go to the list only, so this won't work). Delete the list address from the 'to' box and your message will go to the author only. If that doesn't work, you can do this - 2. Before you hit 'reply' to a message, highlight and copy the author's address. To highlight, point your cursor at the beginning of the address, click and hold the left mouse button and 'drag' the cursor to the right until the entire address is selected. Click on 'edit' (at the top of your e-mail window), then click on 'copy'. Now hit 'reply' to the message, delete the list address, click on 'edit' then 'paste'. This will put the author's address only on the message. Sometimes, people will put a signature line that allows a private message. I will end this message with just such tag. For *most* e-mail programs, this will allow you to click on my address below my name and send a message just to me. Yes, there are other ways to copy & paste, but this isn't the place for that discussion. If you have questions or need more help with your program, send me a private message (or at least try!) -Marcia mailto:[email protected] Jeff & Terry Owenby wrote: > > Hi Marcia, can you fill me in on how to reply to Debs, or anyone else for > that matter, privately? I tried that the other day, i.e., I chose "Reply to > Author" when writing to her but it defaulted to [email protected] > Thanks much! I appreciate your help. Terry > > -----Original Message----- > From: Marcia Holpuch <[email protected]> > > >... if you want > >to send your thanks to DEBS, please send those privately and not > >publicly over the list to everyone.> > > ==== ILKANE Mailing List ==== > You can contact the list administrator for this list by sending a > message to mailto:[email protected]