Cheska, I don't really think most people mean that they will ONLY thank you in advance and not after the fact. Maybe I'm naive, but I believe many want you to know that they even thank you if you don't find anything and therefore don't reply. I don't say "thanks in advance" because I know the researchers don't appreciate that, but wouldn't it be nice if there was a short "something" you could say in advance that shows your appreciation for even reading the question? I'll bet there are many people posting questions who have never asked a favor of a stranger before--at least in writing. Most of us do really appreciate both your knowledge and your willingness to share it and we'll thank you many times for any help we can get. "Thanks!" Barbara -----Original Message----- From: Cheska Wheatley <cheska@ix.netcom.com> To: PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com <PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 12:38 PM Subject: [PACHESTE] How to write a query or ask for a lookup... >I also do look-ups for several counties and am also a >list manager for a number of lists. I can certainly >share Sandra's frustration in receiving requests for >lookups as well as viewing many inadequate queries >that are posted to lists. > >I think there are basic elements that should be >included in almost every query and before anyone >hits the send button, they should read their query >to make sure each element is included: > >WHO: a specific given name and surname. > (Not, "I'm looking for all Smiths") > >WHAT: what information do you hope to find, e.g., > birth, marriage, death, will record, etc. > (Not: "anything you have on..." > >WHEN: give specific dates when known or at least > a time frame. > >WHERE: specify where the individual last lived > or in the case of Quakers the monthly meeting > they last belonged to. > >WHY: describe what you hope the information will > lead to, e.g. trying to establish parents of > the specified individual. I just might have > other references that will provide the > information you need but I won't check them > if you can't tell me what your research > objective is. > >When you reread your query and cannot find at least >three of the five elements, you are probably wasting >your time by asking the wrong question not to mention >wasting the time of the people who you hope will >respond to your query. > >My personal pet peeve: people who request lookups and >sign their messages with "Thanks in advance!" How >did this phrase originate??? I've only seen it in >emails. What happened to common courtesy? > >If I spend an hour of my time digging out information >and references for someone, I would like to know if >it was received and whether or not it was helpful. >Are we that busy that we cannot spend a few minutes >dashing off an email with a word of thanks and perhaps >some indication if the data helped them in some way. > >-- > -=CHESKA=- > E-mail address: cheska@ix.netcom.com > Web site: <http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/6630/> > Sponsor: ANDIS, BADGLEY, CLAYTON, COOPER, & MILLS surname lists > List Manager: QUAKER-ROOTS discussion list > RootsWeb: Dedicated to Keeping Access to Online Genealogy Free > >______________________________