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/ZVC.2ACE/3973 Message Board Post: I wanted to take a minute of everyone's time to report a problem I have had twice now, in the hopes of showing support for fellow "inexperienced" researchers who may have had something like this happen. I know that this maybe isn't the proper forum to discuss something like this, but since the problem seems to of originated here with my postings, I ask indulgence for the sake of education. Having said that, I also wanted to thank fellow message board posters here for their help, educational hints, and time. I have always had the positive experience of friendly people who have shown great generosity in sharing information and knowledge. Today however changed that. This afternoon I got a second fake email from a woman claiming to be a Message Board Administrator, and affiliated with this area, who berated me for the "improper use of the surname box". I was told my postings "lead more ADVANCED researchers to useless messages" there by wasting their time, etc, etc. I wouldn't bother responding about this, except for the fact I include my email information in postings to help initiate contact with other researchers....not to assist someone in creating a hostile enviroment for other paid member's. I was of the impression that the message boards were for the open exchange of idea's and querries in our individual quests for answers. Do we need to be "advanced" in order to have a positive, courteous atmosphere even when it seems we're asking redundant or silly questions? I am always appreciative of someone who goes the extra mile in educating me on a geographic region, better use of Ancestry resources, or helping to guide me through their own experiences. I would hate to see the message board communities reception of "new" researchers/seekers become as openly hostile as this woman was to me.....we are ALL new and inexperienced at something once. I don't appreciate the "improper" use of my personal information and email address by someone with nothing to communicate in the way of geneaology, and so much time on their hands they feel the need to slap mine like an errant child. To the woman who wrote me: Sorry your time was "wasted" by having to look through hundreds of posted messages for a clue like the rest of us. Mine being so much more frustrating than others, you felt the need to berate a fellow community member and hide behind the fake but-oh-so-self-important, signature of Board Admin....I have a "hint" (to coin phrase your use of the word in your email to me) learn how to spell better and get yourself a fake email account to go with your fake title. Yours, and the contents of the missive, have been reported and faxed to Ancestry.