Hi Everyone, I have copied a portion of Message Board Help that I hope answers any questions. At the bottom of the Message Board you will find: Request New Board | Message Board Rules | Message Board FAQ | Message Board Help Post/Reply Help If you are not already a registered Ancestry.com user, you must register before posting a message for the first time. Click here to register now. Once registered, you must log in before posting to the boards using the username and password you established for your account. Click here to login now. Click on 'Post Message' to post a new message on any board. If you are viewing a message on a board, you can choose between posting a new message or posting a reply to the message you are viewing. If you elect to post a reply it will be 'threaded' with the message to which you are replying. Threading means that responses are grouped with the original message rather than standing alone. Posting a response as opposed to an original message also means that if the previous posters in the thread have elected to receive e-mail notification of responses (the default setting) they will be notified of your reply. Subject Box: When you choose a subject you should try to be as concise as possible, but try to cover the basics of who, when, and where. For example, if you are posting a query about John Smith who was born in 1832 in Pittsburgh, PA an informative subject line would be exactly that: "John SMITH, born 1832, Pittsburgh, PA." Never use all purpose, non-informative, subject lines such as: "searching," "looking," "genealogy," "family search." Remember that everyone using these boards is searching and looking for their ancestors. Ask yourself if the subject you have posted will help others to understand the topic of your query. If the answer is YES you have chosen an informative subject line. Surname Box: Only surnames (last names) should be listed in the Surname Box, and each should be separated by a comma. The Surname Box is used to index the surnames in your message and is not to be used for listing surnames not included in the message text. Categories (drop down menu): Use this menu to select from a list of data types. Data categories (non-query) should only be selected when you are posting actual data and not queries about data. For example, a query about a will is still a query. The menu item for wills should not be selected for queries. Also see: Message Board FAQ for tips on posting an effective message. Preview, Edit, and Post Message Help After you have composed your message and completed all required items, you can select either the 'Post Message' button (if you are absolutely certain that the message is exactly as you wish to post it), or the 'Preview Message' button if you would like to view the message as it will appear on the board BEFORE it is actually posted. The preview screen allows you to select from 'Edit Message' or 'Post Message' buttons. Use the 'Edit Message' button (and not your browser's "back" button) to edit the message if necessary prior to finally selecting the 'Post Message' button which will post the message on the board. Printing a Message Help While viewing a message, click on 'Print Message' to view a printer friendly text version of that message. Click on your browser's print icon, or follow your usual print procedure, to print the message. Use the 'Return to Message' link to return to the message in the normal display. For additional information, see Message Board FAQ. I hope this further information helps. If you have problems or further questions please let me know. :-)) Thanks again, Mike ************************* Michael G. McManness, a Jayhawk through and through, eating, sleeping, and bleeding Crimson and Blue near the University of Kansas. Family genealogist and research historian. "Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones." --- Phillip Brooks *************************