I have experience on a number of genealogy forums and agree wholeheartedly with Debbie's comments which, briefly put, indicate to reply to the List if you think that others might benefit or contribute to your response; but privately if you are in a clearly "one on one" situation. If in doubt address the List. Go private if you and one other person start an exchange of say 3 or more messages on a narrow subject and nobody else shows interest. Jerry ----- Original Message ----- From: <CAhobbies@aol.com> To: <VTFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 10:30 PM Subject: [VTFRANKL] Replies to Queries (Was: Boyd family) > << I take it the "replys" do not come back through the list. I received some information on Nelson Boyd and will post a couple more names..... <snip> ... Thanks in advance. > Janis in Wy >> > > -->> Hi Janis... Actually, when anyone posts to this or other lists, replies go either privately or back to the list. It's personal preference, I suppose. > > When it's "general interest" on research in this county for example, it makes a lot of sense to reply to the list since many can benefit and will no doubt be interested. > > When it's a particular family group - it goes both ways - public or private. I've seen people who sent a query receive several private replies.. then send a "summary" to the list. In general though, I tend to reply to the list - and figure if I label my subject lines clearly - people can choose what they have time or interest to read. > > Another thought... using public replies can be quite useful if / when discussions start up on someone's brick wall (ideas on what to try next, for ex)... since "the process" can be helpful to all when applied to similar research scenarios. And, sometimes when running into conflicting data on a family or ancestor, it's helpful to discuss it with others -- to step back a bit from our "own" papers - and begin to clarify or assess what we think we know.. and what we're trying to find out! > > These were, of course "general comments" that could apply to any of the rootsweb mailing lists. Each does, however have its own character, list owner guidelines, subscriber size, subscriber preferences, etc. I'm sure others have their ideas on when to post to the poster and when to the list. In any case, the fact these lists "exist" is a good thing!!! > > debbie > CAhobbies@aol.com > (working on brothers Nathan & Paul PRATT, esp in the late 1790s and early 1800s in Franklin Co) > > > ==== VTFRANKL Mailing List ==== > MISSED A POST?? > Check out the mailing list archives at: > http://searches2.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 >