COULD I, as a newcomer to the list but a very longtime genealogist, make a suggestion as to what is wrong here? Of course, some of you may think there isn't anything wrong (!) and perhaps I am not putting this too well, but in view of Dr Bill's worries about the lack of traffic and exhortations to us for more postings I feel there must be. I am on about eight lists altogether - admittedly all UK-based, except this one - and on all of those there is a huge amount of traffic, with lively and vigorous (sometimes one might say a little too vigorous!) debate about many aspects of family history and genealogy. There is a constant flow of newcomers seeking help and guidance and older hands offering it. There is cut and thrust and argument and controversy. There is a regular trade-off of information about research techniques and sources. Frankly, I don't see that here. The list has more the atmosphere of a sedate (and poorly attended) tea party, with the odd bit of chit-chat, posting of helpful websites, and that's about it. Sorry, but that's how it strikes me. There doesn't seem to be the clamour for information or desire to discuss genealogical techniques and sources that I see so strongly on other lists. I don't normally make a habit of promoting my genealogical qualifications for fear of being thought immodest (not that that normally ever stopped a Yorkshireman!) but here is my CV..... 25 years in family history. Officer of the Guild of One-Name Studies, the world's major organisation for one-namers, and editor of the quarterly Journal of One-Name Studies Member of the publications committees of the Federation of Family History Societies and the Society of Genealogists Member of half-a-dozen Yorkshire family history societies Lecturer in various family history topics and in desktop publishing for family historians Founder of a family/one-name society for Stockdill/Stockdale and variants (members in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) If anyone out there has Yorkshire ancestry, particularly, then I am generally acknowledged to be one of the leading authorities on the county (and PLEASE no-one ask "Where is Yorkshire" or I am likely to come over there and thump you one!!!). However, I have lived for many years in the south of England, just outside London, and am familiar with most of the major London records offices. Surely there must be something I can help you with? I have offered before but had little response. Or is it simply the fact that hardly anybody on this list has managed to get their ancestry back to the UK yet? Roy Stockdill Editor, The Journal of One-Name Studies The Stockdill Family History Society (Guild of One-Name Studies, FedFHS) STOCKDILL PREST YELLOW BOLTON WORSNOP GIBSON MIDGLEY BRACEWELL SHACKLETON BRADLEY MOODY in Yorkshire North & West Ridings MEAD YOUNG in Somerset, Wiltshire & Gloucestershire Web page of the Stockdill Family History Society:- http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/roystock ”Never ask a man if he comes from Yorkshire. If he does he will tell you. If he does not, why humiliate him?" - Canon Sydney Smith (scholar and humorist 1771-1845)