I don't need to re-instate the purpose of the list. I believe we are doing fine. I am very happy to see the list so active. My purpose in creating this list was most definitely genealogy, finding common ancestors and new family relationships. But to find ones' ancestors without knowing the history is not knowing as much about them as we could. And although many things have changed throughout the centuries the core beliefs and many of the ways of life are still the same today. So it is also important to understand the people today as it will give an insight to the people of the past. I love this list, you guys are all great and I appreciate your inputs, questions, and everything else you add. If I did not I'd easily kick you out :) Anyway, we are all cousins, we all have a certain percentage of Portuguese blood in our veins and that makes us all family. Trust me, if I find any e-mails that are not appropriate I will deal with them personally by personally e-mailing the person who posted them. So far so good. In 6 years I have only kicked one person out because of spam. If anyone finds anything offensive let me know and I'll deal with it, and if wanted you gently let the person know privately too. In other lists I do find the delete button to be my best friend sometimes :) Have a happy, happy valentines day! Luis Beal list administrator Duane De Mello <casademello@comcast.net> wrote: " However, I do not believe this forum is the appropriate place to discuss in detail, insofar-genealogical much less personal experience purposes." Hi Duane, Will you please explain what you meant by what you posted above? I, too am a first generation American born of Portuguese ancestry, soon to be 65. ;-). Born in Lowell, MA, but raised in San Diego CA. My family also lived in Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Newark, Livermore and now Tracy CA. All these cities had/have a solid community base of Portuguese residents. So I am "no stranger," to the Portuguese ways, as well as the "moda da Americana." Never the less I am still learning about the events that our Portuguese ancestors faced... as evident by Margaret"s reference to Castelo de Vide and the "safe house." What topics do you or other list members think should be discussed on this list ? I for one would like to know more about Dr. Robert Reid Kalley, the wealthy young Scottish physician who was also a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, and his missionary work among the Madeirans. How about Dr. Manuel Luciano da Silva, in analyzing Christopher Columbus' three real ciphers: his Sigla, his Monogram and his Blessing. What about "Portuguese Recipes," Ailments," Blessings to cure various conditions, ie. "the evil eye," some of these practices performed by our Madeira ancestors were taken from the "slaves," that were brought to Madeira to work the fields, etc. These practices could often be perceived as border line "witch craft." Or is this list simply a vehicle to post surnames? Maybe Luis Beal needs to re-state the purpose of this list group, so that we're all on "the same page." We claim to be Portuguese, (I liked what Luis K W said "whatever that means.") with like as well as different life experiences...in my opinion that need to be shared. Correct me if I'm totally off base. Adios, Pat Silva Corbera "Genealogists live in the Past Lane." ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PRT-MADEIRA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ____________________________________________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail beta. http://new.mail.yahoo.com