Hello [email protected] Listers IMPORTANT: Please read the following as it tells you "how to" write an effective Query and "what to" include. It also tells you about "Poor Query Examples" . Those are the queries that you will be sent an email regarding, requesting you send another corrected email or one clarifying them. I will also note a "Poor Query Example" that is totally unacceptable and request that they be avoided on this List. To eliminate any misunderstanding please read this and try to follow the format as closely as possible. A Good Surname Genealogical Query Starts and Includes: 1. Surname or Full Name ( in Capitals preferred) 2. State Specific Information you are seeking (such as wife, husband, children, parents or female Maiden name). Stay focused on Alice Smith 3. Specific Location should be stated and specific Dates 4. Mention of any close knit families or collatral families 5. List all other information you have on Alice Smith 6, List all Resources that you have searched so that people reading your query will know what records you already have. 7. Reread and clarify before sending An Example: (Note the following is all with fictious Names that are Not Real) Heading - RE: SMITH, Alice, B 1835 Watertown, Jefferson Co., NY Alice Smith my GG Grandmother was B about 1835 Watertown, Jefferson County NY. She is the wife of David Smith B 1831. David and Alice Smith were M. May 1853 in Henderson, Jefferson County NY (Henderson Baptist Church Records) and D at age 33 in Janesville, Rock Co, WI. Alice is Buried in the Baptist Church Cemetery in Janesville, Rock Co. WI. Information on B year and M was obtained from an Obit on Alice in the Janesville newspaper. A brother Robert Smith was listed as a survivor in her Obit and living in Henderson NY I am specifically looking for Parents of ALICE SMITH B 1835 in Watertown, Jefferson County NY. Also interested in finding any additional siblings of Alice Smith. Is anyone researching a Smith Family who lived in Watertown and Henderson? I know that Birth Records are unavailable for this date but can anyone direct me to an alternative source where this information might be located? I have researched Federal Census Records for 1860 and 1870, but have not researched NY State Census Records. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Mary Brown Flint, Michigan Email: ---------- Poor Query Example: Smith, Alice Do you have any Information on the Smith Family in Watertown? If so please contact me. Mary Brown Flint Michigan Poor Query Example SMITH Researching Alice Smith (Maiden Name Unknown) of Watertown NY Who are her Parents? Mary Brown Flint Michigan Poor Query Example SMITH FAMILY Researching the Smith Family of Watertown New York from 1850 to present. Alice, John, Henry, Mary, Douglas, Eunice, William, Elmer and Albert. Send me everything you have. Mary Brown Flint Michigan NOTE: Regarding the last POOR query above, this is important to know. Good researchers have spent years and a very large portion of their budget accumulating, sifting through and carefully and diligently researching and documenting their research and history. WHY in a one fell swoop would they give you everything they know and have ?????? Genealogy is sharing, cooperatively working on problems and independently verifying (with documents) information. This "GIMME" attitude is apt to not receive an answer and very well will and should go unanswered. The following Type Query is Totally an off Limits type. RE: BROWN Hey Guys Send me anything and everything on the Surname Brown (or Browne) anywhere, anytime, throughtout the entire US and Canada. Also include any information you have on JONES, BUTLER, ROBERTS, WATSON, JAMES, JOHNSTON, JOHNSON, ROBERTSON, ROBINSON, SMITH, CLARK,BLACK, WOOD, WHITE, COOK,CLINTON,GRAVES and MARSHALL Pictures would also be appreciated. Mary Brown Philadelphia, PA If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Pat Regan Email: [email protected] [email protected] Administrator