I am new to this list.  I posted a query and was told basically to google it.  Then I got a personal e-mail from Sandra chastising me for not replying with a thank you for all the help.  I resolved to send no more queries to this list.  I only write now to let you know why this list sees so little activity.  True, this is probably the most highly organized list to which I have subscribed and sometimes has helpful information, but it is also the least friendly.

I too am new but have not found that to be the case for me. They have been very helpful and showed concern that you found what you were looking for, especially Sanda. Kit ----- Original Message ----- From: "ruby riley" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 1:18 PM Subject: [PaOldC] lack of activity I am new to this list. I posted a query and was told basically to google it. Then I got a personal e-mail from Sandra chastising me for not replying with a thank you for all the help. I resolved to send no more queries to this list. I only write now to let you know why this list sees so little activity. True, this is probably the most highly organized list to which I have subscribed and sometimes has helpful information, but it is also the least friendly. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.716 / Virus Database: 270.14.108/2566 - Release Date: 12/15/09 02:52:00

Ruby: List admin's set the rules and subscribers have the choice of complying or leaving the list. Way too often we see people go far out of their own way to help a member who has posted a query only to get no thanks or "oh, I already knew that'. Sandra has chosen as part of her 'rules & regs' to request that people treat others on the list with some respect especially if they take their own time to answer queries. I don't think she's asking too much and again, anytime someone doesn't like the way a list is run they can unsub and read the list postings on the threaded archives. Kathi Jones-Hudson, National Coordinator Tombstone Transcription Project http://www.usgwtombstones.org/

SANDRA IS WONDERFUL as a list administrator. She has volumes of knowledge, and knows where to search for specifics. We all agree on this! Having said that, I can attest to [email protected] frustration. I have been a member of this list for years. I don't post though. I don't like being "yelled" at by email from an over-zealous administrator. My "error" was that I copied an AZ obituary with ties to OLD PA ancestry, that I thought others on the list might find helpful. I typed it word-for-word. It was not posted, and Sandra "yelled" at me via email saying only necessary information in a post. So I swallowed my pride and reposted using only names, dates, and locations. Again, it was not posted. Her personal email to me was, "Why are you trying to post this again, when I already told you not too!!!" She never responded to tell me what I put in that obit that was not supposed to have been in it. I have NO IDEA what was the real issue here, AND I DON'T CARE anymore. So, all of you have a contact here in Arizona, who looks at the obituaries and thinks, that might be useful to someone on the list, but I don't post, because I never could figure out what the problem was with the information I was trying to relate to the rest of you. Doreen

As a list admin myself of several lists I can tell you that Sandra is one of the most knowledgeable, organized, and helpful list owners around. She runs this list like it is supposed to be run. Sandra is absolutely wonderful as both a genealogist and list admin. I have learned a lot about being a list admin and genealogy from her over the years on this list. Sandra is the person who drummed into my head, over and over - look for variants in surname spelling -think out of the box - and it worked. I jumped 100+ years back as soon as my brain connected the dots to the original surname (mis)spelling of my ancestors. All thanks to Sandra. I haven't been online much due to being the filling in the sandwich generation but I had noticed that the PAOldC list was slow - I thought everyone was too busy to post much. Thank you Tim for the wake up post - I for one needed it. When Sandra told you to Google - that was GREAT advice. Google is such a valuable underused genealogical tool by most family genealogists. Many people do find great online books, files, records that pertain to the genealogy you are searching for. One has to try different search parameters and try alternate spellings for their surnames, try using locations and names etc... The search engines caches are constantly changing as new records go online so using any search engine should be repeated again and again, monthly, weekly, daily - whatever one has time for because I guarantee you will find new info all the time. As a bonus some old info may fit into your genealogical puzzle that you were unaware of the last time you found that info. Again, Google or any other search engine for that fact are much to under utilized by new and experienced genealogists. You would probably be upset if you joined one of my surname/state lists because I require my posters to not only thank our list members who have spent time researching the poster's genealogical requests or offered help, but posters are required to sign their posts with either initials or given names. This helps keep all the inquiries going to the correct poster and the poster being made aware of who took time to help them. Anyone who doesn't like the way my lists are run may leave at any time. I have over 1600+ people on my largest state list and more joining every day because of how helpful, congenial, and content the list members are. Never any fire fights. >From your statement it is evident you haven't been on some of the other PA lists. There are several very unfriendly PA lists out there that hopefully you will not have the misfortune to join. I miss you Sandra, so feel better and take good care of yourself! I will be looking forward to posts from you in the Jan 2010. Warmest Regards, Carina Who has many, many, relatives living in early 1700 PA ----- Original Message ----- From: ruby riley<mailto:[email protected]> To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 1:18 PM Subject: [PaOldC] lack of activity I am new to this list. I posted a query and was told basically to google it. Then I got a personal e-mail from Sandra chastising me for not replying with a thank you for all the help. I resolved to send no more queries to this list. I only write now to let you know why this list sees so little activity. True, this is probably the most highly organized list to which I have subscribed and sometimes has helpful information, but it is also the least friendly. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Ruby, we tell you to google it because we know (because we did it too *G*) that there is really good information out there on your query. So often it is better to let you learn to "fish" than to deposit material in your lap. It doesn't mean we don't care how you get along. Eliz On Tue, Dec 15, 2009 at 1:18 PM, ruby riley <[email protected]> wrote: > I am new to this list.  I posted a query and was told basically to google it.  Then I got a personal e-mail from Sandra chastising me for not replying with a thank you for all the help.  I resolved to send no more queries to this list.  I only write now to let you know why this list sees so little activity.  True, this is probably the most highly organized list to which I have subscribed and sometimes has helpful information, but it is also the least friendly. > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

I'm sorry that a simple request for a common courtesy offended this list member. Sandra has always managed the list with a wonderful degree of expertise and patience and helpfulness not found on other genealogical sites. We learn from her dedication and administrative talents, and if we need to be brought into line with a stronger rein, then, for the good of everyone participating, we need to respect her guidance. This list has had LOTS of activity which Sandra handled beautifully, sharing unselfishly her huge wealth of resources. It apparently took only one bad apple to change its character. Thanks, Sandra, and God bless. We miss your contributions and will look forward to your improved health and quick return in 2010. Frances -----Original Message----- From: ruby riley <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tue, Dec 15, 2009 12:18 pm Subject: [PaOldC] lack of activity I am new to this list. I posted a query and was told basically to google it. hen I got a personal e-mail from Sandra chastising me for not replying with a hank you for all the help. I resolved to send no more queries to this list. I nly write now to let you know why this list sees so little activity. True, his is probably the most highly organized list to which I have subscribed and ometimes has helpful information, but it is also the least friendly. ------------------------------ o unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] ith the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of he message