> The point is not if someone enjoys a post or not. I have enjoyed some of the posts, but the point is this is a list on genealogy,<< At the risk of adding more 'clutter' to this mail list - I want to offer an idea from another list that I belong to. I subscribed to the Sheltie list this past weekend- and the "Rules" when you subscribe look daunting! they are very particular as to the material you send in--however, after re-reading it a couple times, and starting to receive messages, now I can see how it is a very effective system. First, you have to sign up for the topics you want - you can sign up for ALL - or individual topics (for ex., a few includ, behavior, show, breeding, grooming, etc) also, the list admin. has assigned these topics in abbreviated form, so you have to write that in the subject line when you send a message - for ex., BEHA: biting [Behavior: biting] And a BIG help is to write directly to the person whose question you are answering, OFFLINE - privately to them, not everyone cares about certain topics [as per the plenty of emails not wanting to hear about sponge candy ] I'm sending this on so perhaps a similar solution could be found for this list - it would alleviate some problems - if you don't want to talk about local customs/foods, etc., you wouldn't sign up for those topics. Perhaps the Erie co. list admin. can see if it would be do-able. Just an idea. And while I'm here, I'd like to say that a lot of what some people consider non-genealogy related, can be very helpful - it was to me - last year, listers were discussing candy stores of long-ago Buffalo, and I was able to find where some of my family had worked --and it was great to add those pieces to my genealogy-puzzle - it makes the people I never knew more real to me. And besides, sponge candy and beef on wick are part of the western NY culture! Linda