Hi list, When I first started my family history research, a few years ago, I sent an email to an OPC (online parish clerk). The reply from this person 'told me off' for writing in capital letters, he also told me that my ancestor had not been born in 'his' parish. I felt as though I was trying to enter a world that had many unknown 'rules' and 'regulations' and was open only to the elite and not to an ordinary being such as myself. The OPC tone was so aggression and dismissive, that it took two years before I felt confident enough to start trying to research my family history again. I'm pleased to say since then I have had the most wonderful replies, help and support from many different listers/lists - which I am very grateful for. The funny thing about this story is, that not only was the OPC ill behaved, he was also ill informed. Through the help of the new OPC I discovered my ancestor was born and baptised in the parish. Guidelines are helpful for many, for some they may offer inhibiting pressures. As a dyslexic it takes me a long time to create a message to an acceptable standard. I, like many others, use the 'spell & grammar' check, however, I also need to use 'ReadPlease', followed by at least three read throughs. Sending a message to the list, for me, feels like launching a ship - will it float or sink - will listers be able to understand what I have written, have I used the correct punctuation, spelling, grammar and 'the big one' have I written the right word. For example I can't distinguish between 'prefect' and 'perfect', I know they are different but which one means 'something that has no faults' and which one means 'someone who told me off at school' - this is were 'ReadPlease' comes in handy. Sorry I have gone off on a tangent - my plea is that guidelines are helpful however, please be gentle when reminding us of them. I'd like to wish you and your family a Very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year - Kind regards Sue Taylor, Shropshire, UK. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.296 / Virus Database: 265.6.0 - Release Date: 17/12/2004

Thank you, Sue for your thoughts. I have to agree with you - please be gentle. Someone else said why does something so simple annoy people? - Well, why is it annoying to others when the names are not capped? We are all different, and this is family history - let's be nice to each other. Diane in Indiana > Hi list, > When I first started my family history research, a few years ago, I > sent an email to an OPC (online parish clerk). The reply from this > person 'told me off' for writing in capital letters, he also told me > that my ancestor had not been born in 'his' parish. I felt as though > I was trying to enter a world that had many unknown 'rules' and > 'regulations' and was open only to the elite and not to an ordinary > being such as myself. The OPC tone was so aggression and dismissive, > that it took two years before I felt confident enough to start trying > to research my family history again. > > I'm pleased to say since then I have had the most wonderful replies, > help and support from many different listers/lists - which I am very > grateful for. The funny thing about this story is, that not only was > the OPC ill behaved, he was also ill informed. Through the help of > the new OPC I discovered my ancestor was born and baptised in the > parish. > > Guidelines are helpful for many, for some they may offer inhibiting > pressures. As a dyslexic it takes me a long time to create a message > to an acceptable standard. I, like many others, use the 'spell & > grammar' check, however, I also need to use 'ReadPlease', followed by > at least three read throughs. Sending a message to the list, for me, > feels like launching a ship - will it float or sink - will listers be > able to understand what I have written, have I used the correct > punctuation, spelling, grammar and 'the big one' have I written the > right word. For example I can't distinguish between 'prefect' and > 'perfect', I know they are different but which one means 'something > that has no faults' and which one means 'someone who told me off at > school' - this is were 'ReadPlease' comes in handy. > > Sorry I have gone off on a tangent - my plea is that guidelines are > helpful however, please be gentle when reminding us of them. > > I'd like to wish you and your family a Very Happy Christmas and a > Peaceful New Year - Kind regards Sue Taylor, Shropshire, UK. > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.296 / Virus Database: 265.6.0 - Release Date: 17/12/2004 > > > ==== TAYLOR Mailing List ==== > Please remember to 'snip' as much of the Original Message as possible > when replying to a List Posting. Include only enough to continue the > train of thought. > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >