>I have a scrapbook of my grandmother's and would like to share the obits, marriage notices, and other information in the clippings. Do I just send them to you? No, this is what the GenConnect system is designed to handle. > Would this go to < NYJEFFER-L@rootsweb.com>? No, that's the mailing list for topics pertaining to Jefferson County. I'm pretty lenient with choice of topic, though some of our listers complain that it's beginning to sound like a chat room, which it shouldn't be. But this material needs to go where it can be properly indexed. > Is there a special obituary address? Can a copy like I sent to you just be forwarded? Yes, at http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NY/JeffersonObits You don't have to save the address, though. You can find it on the Website under GenConnect Boards on the front page; and in the site index under Bulletin Boards, under GenConnect, and under obituaries. Rootsweb tries to make it as simple as possible. Near the bottom of the list of obits, you find "POST A MESSAGE". You fill in the blanks with your name and address (the blanks expand as you write, so you need not abbreviate), then post your message in the spot provided. After you have written it (copying your message and pasting it into the spot is quite all right) scroll down to the two buttons, PREVIEW and POST. Preview is just that, and I always use it to catch typos or other stupidities to which I am prone. When you are satisfied that all is in order, press post. In a very few moments (they are pretty fast, considering all the switches to be contacted) your obit is posted and you get a final look at it. The "cookie" means that if you x that, you don't have to fill in your name and address next time. It will remember and put it in for you. All in all, fairly painless! Now for the surprise (at least it was to me!) Up at the top of the bulletin board, right under Jefferson County, are four choices. If you press Surname Index (it's number 3) you will find an index of names including not only the obits, but also queries, wills, deeds, the whole bit. If you press the search option, the next button, you can do a regular search, and the name you enter will come up. I'm no expert at this, and I'm still learning. I'll welcome any and all hints. Please send them to me personally, since I don't always read every word of the mailing list. My responsibility is to see that it cncerns Jefferson County. Oh, by the way, there's also an explanation on the GenConnect page, accessible from our front page and from the index. We do urge people to send in information squirreled away in old scrapbooks, in that proverbial box under the bed, in the back of the closet... Every little bit helps! Because Jefferson County is so sadly lacking in official vital statistics, we have to find our clues in other places. This whole GenConnect board was a complete mystery to me a couple of months ago, and I dragged my feet in both accepting the boards for the page and in learning to use them, but once I found the Surname Index, I became a believer! -- http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyjeffer/