GUARDIAN-L Archives

From: Pat Mount <>
Subject: Annual Holiday Message - List Administration
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 2005 10:27:44 -0500

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

As internet genealogy and family history have grown, the number of "first
timers" joining our lists has diminished and we don't see the huge numbers
of new users that we used to see after the holidays. However, starting
today, Santa, among others, will still have delivered new computers,
internet service, and genealogy gifts (software). Thus, we may be seeing
some new "rooters" on our lists.

This is GOOD! But while you may see new cousins, friends, and
contacts coming on-line, joining email lists, posting surnames to
databases, they will be asking all those questions you have seen posted
over and over again. Unfortunate as it may be, new users mean we have
to reinvent the wheel. *Grin*

Please welcome any "newbies" to our lists, have PATIENCE with them, help
them and hopefully send them in the right direction. For a month or so
it will be helpful if we can refrain from using a lot of initials and
abbreviations in our responses. When discussing the FHC, let's all take a
couple of seconds to type "Family History Center," and give an explanation
of who, what, where, when. Please don't assume that EVERYONE knows what it
is, or has one near them.

I can't stress enough how important your patience and help is for the
next month or two. Mistakes will be made, (like posting a message that
is blank, or no subject line, or leaving entire digests in replies or my
personal favorite, "Researching John Johnson. Send all information"!*LOL*)
Questions will be asked like "What is the FHC, what is the SSDI, what
is, can you explain, where do I find, etc...Remember that these were
once OUR errors and OUR questions. We were all new once, and many
current subscribers are still learning, so let's continue the spirit of
cooperation throughout the year. This list is about helping each other.
Let's be specific and clear in our responses to folks, and give a little
extra in explanations.

Also keep in mind that new subscribers may know little about computers,
the internet, and genealogy, resulting in many extremely inexperienced
researchers. If you see questions on the list regarding computers,
software, etc. please respond to these questions off list if at all
possible.

REMEMBER these new researchers may have file cabinets full of
information regarding YOUR own family tree, so let's be as cordial,
helpful and informative as we can be!

Stay warm, drive safely and may your day be Merry and Bright.....

Pat Mount
List Admin

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• Annual Holiday Message - List Administration by Pat Mount <>