Replying to the list is better - provides all with possible research tools/clues that might help them even if the search is on another family line. The protocol for your response is written just above "Today's Topics" and reads: If you respond to this digest, please replace the subject line of your response (so it doesn't read "Re: ROOTS-L Digest") and please don't quote the digest ... a few lines from the message to which you are responding or (better still) a brief summary of that message will do.