Hi Bill! You are so right about being kind to fellow genealogists. We all have to start somewhere. Besides, no question is 'dumb' when it is asked sincerely. I know from my journalism training that in order to find out the story, you have to ask tons of questions and hopefully one of them will be the 'intelligent' one that leads you to the answer.:o) I've been interested in genealogy for years, but only actively researching for the past 4.5. I have been truly blessed to have had wonderful people offer to help me and guide me along the way. Because of this, I offer help to others no matter how trivial the question may seem. You just never know when that breakthrough might come. I can honestly say that the majority of the genealogists I've come in contact with are wonderful people who are always willing to lend a helping hand. In turn, I try to do what I can to help others. Thanks again for a timely reminder for all of us. We all need to keep in mind that we had to start somewhere, too!! Happy New Year!! Jennifer Dodge City, KS ----- Original Message ----- From: "William Klauk" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2000 11:02 PM Subject: [PAERIE] Off Topic - Snow, Snow and more Snow > After just watching Mario make his return with the Pittsburgh Penguins, I > switched over to the local 11 PM news to hear that we are point 3 inches > away from 6th place for the snowiest December on record in Erie, this after > hitting second place all time in November. Those of you in Erie know what I > am talking about. The snowiest December is still 20" away which was in 1989 > and although I was not here most of the time during that month, I did have a > weekend or two at home and have some documented pictures. Erie is now over > 86 inches of snow for the season! > > To keep this a little on topic, a list member of another list that I belong > to posted a reminder message that this is the time of year when many people > start using new computers and sometimes even get an interest in family > history and join mail lists such as this one, and/or visit web sites such as > Erie County (PA) Genealogy. These people for the most part are "newbies" > and sometimes 'discover' already published family trees which may or may not > be correct, and sometimes ask questions, or post queries that to the well > experienced might seem "dumb" or off the wall. I am still a "newbie" myself > as I have only been doing my own family history study for about two years. > Someone else remarked that you are still a "newbie" to genealogy until you > have been doing it for about 20 years! Point to make is that if you see > questions or queries that might seem "not up to standard", it might be from > someone who is new to either computers or genealogy and be kind. > > To cite an example from my own experience, my career was in messaging where > in the pre e-mail days there was telex or teletype - there were no small > letters - only CAPITALS. Today, when someone sends a message with all > capitals, it is taken to mean that the person is SHOUTING. But for one such > as myself who didn't have small letters, I only knew CAPITALS when I first > had a PC with e-mail. > > Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas or other seasonal celebration, and > wishing everyone a Happy 2001 (although I am sure I will be posting more > before then). > > Bill Klauk > Millcreek Township, Erie County, PA > > > > ==== PAERIE Mailing List ==== > Welcome to the PA-Erie Mailing List > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history > learning and how-to articles on the Internet. > http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library