This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/IFB.2ACE/1091 Message Board Post: Hi everyone! 1. USE THE SURNAME FUNCTION CORRECTLY. Only use surnames if they are actually quoted in the message. Not your name - but the subjects of your message. So if I was posting about John Hazelton Graves, I could put Graves into the surname box. Now, if I was posting about John and his wife Mary Jane (Bonner) Graves, I could put this entry into the surname box: Graves, Bonner This will enable anyone searching for Graves or Bonner to find my message. NO OTHER WAY WILL WORK. So don't use -, all caps, /, etc or anything other than the names. It will negate your entry and what you are trying to achieve. And if you put a boat name, business name, etc into the Surname box - it won't be there for long. As Administrator, I will change your subject to make it more appropriate. 2. DON'T DO EVERYTHING IN CAPS!!! This is considered on the 'Net to be shouting - no need to do so when we have so many interesting people running around here to help. Sometimes using it, like to draw attention to a surname, is a good thing as it draws attention to the entry. Use it everywhere, however, and the effect is negated. 3. Use classifications (the little drop-down box below your message and above the Surname box)! Here's a short tutorial on what to use for what message: Query - looking for any and all information available Bible - transcribed Bible entries Biography - a bio of your ancestor from somewhere Birth - a transcribed birth record Cemetery - transcribed cemetery records Census - transcribed census records Death - transcribed death records Immigration - transcribed immigration records Lookup - Looking for a specific piece of information, like an obituary, birth record or cemetery record *Must specifically state which record you want in your message or it will get changed* Marriage - transcribed marriage records Military - transcribed military records Obituary - transcribed obituary records Pension - transcribed pension records Will - transcribed wills 4. Don't post dates / full names / places of birth for living individuals. You never know what kind of creepy people are out there. 5. Please post information looking for adopters/adoptees on the Adoption board. Its just easier that way - the purpose of the Adoption board is too help in that area. Alpena's message board is mostly for finding more out about the past, rather than the "now". 6. I encourage you to repost an old query! Some people choose not to look through the older posts, and others have bad emails. Repost with your new email and people will be able to get ahold of you more easily! If you have any questions, feel free to email me (bigchipchipbabychip@yahoo.com). I'm always around, even if I don't answer your question right away. All of this will also be put into the Links and Announcements section for further review. Thanks - and Good Luck! Concetta Franco Alpena County GenWeb Coordinator Alpena County Mailing List Coordinator Alpena County Message Board Coordinator PS And don't forget to check out the lovely new GenWeb site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~mialpena