Jan, When KELLAR-L was established, it was intended for researchers who have family with either spelling variation: KELLAR or KELLER. If you visit http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist/surnames/index.html, you'll see that there are many lists on RootsWeb that cover multiple variations of a spelling of a particular surname. For example, ACKERMAN-L is for sharing information on the Ackerman surname and any variation, such as Ackermann, Aukerman, Ackeman, etc. It was in this spirit that KELLAR-L was established. I could use only one spelling variation when I chose a name for the mailing list, so I chose the spelling that my direct line used. The choice certainly wasn't meant to exclude KELLER researchers. The list is for everybody. On the KELLAR-L list, there are several researchers (myself included) whose family used both the KELLER and KELLAR spellings. In my direct line, the KELLAR spelling stuck, but other tangental lines used the KELLER spelling. We have an idea about when the split took place, but we don't know why some chose one spelling and some chose another. So there are circumstances where one family used both spellings. And it has been helpful for many of us on KELLAR-L to discover and discuss the spelling difference. Some people researching KELLER families, especially in VA, WV, OH, and IL didn't realize they had KELLAR cousins. Having both spellings on one list has been very useful for some KELLER/KELLAR researchers as they discover the links between families with different spelling variations. I don't want to force people researching the KELLER spelling onto KELLER-L, because it makes it more difficult for some researchers to exchange information with, or even discover, their KELLAR cousins. So, KELLAR-L will need to remain for both KELLAR and KELLER researchers. As a result, KELLAR-L will have KELLER subscribers that may not be subscribed to KELLER-L. Therefore, a posting to that list will reach KELLER researchers who are not on this list. You certainly don't have to do so if you don't want to. It's up to you. I know it's confusing having two lists. I hope this explanation helps some. Good luck in your research! Nancy "Janice A. Frank" wrote: > > Nancy - I am sorry but I don't agree with this. It is very obvious > that KELLER is the much more common form and I believe it should have a > list of its own. In my experience (Pennsylvania German ones), I simply > do not believe that KELLER is a variant of KELLAR - it may in fact be > the other way around, I am not sure, but I have never seen the two both > occur in the same family. > > I much prefer to have the KELLER researchers on one list and the KELLAR > ones on another. If anyone in fact has both they can always join both. > > Jan > >