As we now all know the Rootsweb lists will cease to operate on the 2nd March 2020 The archives will we are told, remain searchable, but in what form I am unsure, and for how long they will survive I do not know, while Ancestry say they will keep them available, they said that about the mailing lists didn't they ;-) Since the archives were (nearly) reinstated they have lost a lot of their usefulness, firstly as all posters email addresses were removed (GDPR again) and the search does not work as it should They say they will fix the problems with the archives search but I won't hold my breath waiting for it to happen (NB if you check each lists archives it will show all posts up to date, but if you *search* the archives, separately or all together, the latest posts are 1 year and 4 months old) So what I would suggest is, a last post or more to the Rootsweb lists (that is all that you are a subscriber to) stating your interests and connections (ie when, where and who) And if you want to be contacted, add in an email address in a form that does not look like an email address, (or presumably it will be stripped out by the software) Such as fred.bloggs AT whatsit.com That way anyone finding it in the archives will at least have a possibility of making contact with you Just a thought You have until the 1st March to do it BUT don't leave it to long, who knows what may happen from now until then -- Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK)

Re a parting shot Do remember to post your surnames in capitals in the subject line When, where & who It doesn't need to be war & peace but a time period, area & names will all help and prospective relative And don't forget the email address ;-) Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK)

I'm currently researching STYLES, COLLYER, MEADOWS & COLLEN in Thrandeston, Rickinghall Inferior and Walsham Le Willows in Suffolk, and also in Sydney, Australia as follows - Thomas STYLES (1714 - 1780) m. Judith COLLYER (1714 - 1781) in 1734 in Roudham, Norfolk; resided in Thrandeston. Samuel MEADOWS (1719 - 1799) m. Judith STYLES (1738 - 1800) in 1762 in Diss, Norfolk; resided in Rickinghall Inferior. Sarah MEADOWS (1766 - 1856) m. Thomas COLLEN (1768 - 1835) in 1789 in Rickinghall Inferior, Suffolk; resided in Walsham Le Willows. Both myself and my uncle have a 5th - 8th cousin DNA match to a descendant of the above Thomas COLLEN and Sarah MEADOWS. My 2 x great grandfather was William George MEADOWS, a mariner, born in Suffolk about 1840, son of William MEADOWS and Eliza DIXON. He arrived in Australia around 1862 and married Mary Ann DONOVAN in May 1863 in Sydney, Australia. His parent's names and his occupation were listed on his marriage certificate. I haven't been able to find William or his parents in the 1841, 1851 and 1861 Census in Suffolk; a marriage for his parents or their death dates. My father thought there was a surname change after arrival in Australia from Old Meadows to Meadows but I can't find anything to confirm that. Looking forward to hearing from anyone researching the same. Jen Meadows in Sydney AU jenny AT toptensoftware DOT com