My friends - Over the past three of four days, there have been three attempts made by several folks to post very lengthy, off-topic items to the JP List. Fortunately, they were so lengthy that they exceeded the maximum allowable message that will be accepted by the RootsWeb server and they were re-routed to me. I have discussed these situations with the posters. But, I am stopping by for a moment this morning to remind all of us that, especially as our List grows, we must stay focused and on-topic. I have mentioned earlier that our mission is working with the 8 counties in the Kentucky Jackson Purchase area, and, occasionally, with the TN border counties and, rarely, with Stewart County, TN because of the crossover traffic back and forth betwen these counties and the JP counties. We do not get involved with other areas of KY, TN, or IL, except perhaps to mention them in a posting which has, as its main focus, inquiries about JP families. We do not explore such things as the Melungeons, the Indian tribes from other parts of KY and the nation(although we do work with the Choctaw, as they owned the JP prior to the US purchasing that region), and other such topics. These subject areas, as interesting as they are, have their own lists and there is usually a lively discussion going on at all times on those lists for these areas which are off-topic for us. As always, your help in this area is greatly appreciated. I'll be back later with a "Tips" posting. -B ============================================================