ROOTSWEB REVIEW: Genealogical Data Cooperative Weekly News Vol. 1, No. 7, 29 July 1998; Circulation: 195,000+ researchers Copyright (c) 1998 RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative Editors: Julia M. Case and Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG * * * * * RootsWeb Review is e-mailed on Wednesdays to all who make use of the resources provided by RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative. UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS: If you would prefer not to receive future issues of RootsWeb Review, please e-mail: RootsWeb-Review-L-request@rootsweb.com and put ONLY the word "unsubscribe" (omit the quotation marks) in the subject line and in the body of the message. * * * * * CONTENTS: New at RootsWeb (Obituary Daily Times Revisited; Webmasters and Listowners FAQs and Tutorials); RootsWeb in the News (print, radio, TV); How to Join RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative; Mailing List Tidbits; Connecting through RootsWeb; Geek Speak; New Mailing Lists; New Web Sites; Data Sources and Reliability; Humor: It's Elementary * * * * * NEW AT ROOTSWEB THE OBITUARY DAILY TIMES . Due to overload on the system caused by the tremendous popularity of this wonderful database (more than two million obituaries from around the world indexed since it began four years ago), RootsWeb has had to disable the normal search interface until the system can be upgraded to handle the demand (maybe a week, but no promises). However, RootsWeb staffer Randy Winch has created a temporary interface (with fewer options) for use in the interim. You can still visit the Web site to use the temporary interface to search the database and learn how to become a contributor of obituaries indexed from your local newspaper. Subscribe to the mailing list by sending your SUBSCRIBE message to: . WEBMASTERS AND LISTOWNERS FAQs AND TUTORIALS are available at * * * * * ROOTSWEB IN THE NEWS ROOTSWEB IN PRINT: Ruby Coleman's article, "Genealogists using the many services provided by RootsWeb on Internet," appeared in the July 27, 1998 issue of "AntiqueWeek." It begins, "RootsWeb provides a great service for genealogical users of the Internet. During the month of June there were a total of 35,930,195 Web hits on the site. In addition, there were 779,280 FTP (file transfer protocol) downloads from the USGenWeb Archives and ROOTS-L library. There were at least 77,000,000 pieces of e-mail sent to RootsWeb mailing lists. These phenomenal figures indicate that genealogists are using, enjoying and appreciating RootsWeb." ROOTSWEB ON RADIO: On Monday morning, July 27, 1998, National Public Radio played an interview with Cyndi Howells about genealogy and the Internet. The NPR program was "Morning Edition" with Bob Edwards. You can listen to the interview over the Internet using Real Audio. If you don't already have Real Audio loaded on your computer, you can download the program at: . Once it is installed, go to and click on the Audio graphic. The Real Audio file of the interview may also be accessed at ROOTSWEB ON TV: Megan Zurawicz, National Coordinator, USGenWeb, reports that "Stephanie Berger, a producer for CNET Central's subsidiary television show 'The Web,' kindly let me know that this weekend they'll be running a show with a section on genealogy. She said that they tried to include as many sites as they could. It only runs on the Sci-Fi Channel, so if you don't get that, you won't be able to see it. However, we'll post a transcript of what they said about USGW after it's over." For the schedule of local times the program will air, please visit . * * * If you would like to help RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative by becoming a member, sponsor, donor, or patron, please visit: * * * * * CONNECTING THROUGH ROOTSWEB: From the editors' mail bag, here are a few tales that might give you an idea or two about how to approach your own research problems. Thanks to all of you who have shared your stories. Please keep them coming. * * * Roger Marjoribanks , UK Secretary, The Marjoribanks Family (visit and then click on the Marjoribanks pages) writes: A few weeks ago, a MARJORIBANKS Family member in America forwarded to me a message from a lady in South Australia who had been searching for various names, including MARCHBANK, via RootsWeb. I was able to demonstrate to her that she shared a common ancestor from Dumfriesshire (Scotland) with Bill Marchbank in Texas and they are now in touch with each other. When she heard that I live in Guildford (Surrey, England), she mentioned that she was having a problem pinpointing her great-grandfather, James Young, who, she knew, came from this area and had married and started his family in 1851. By obtaining the marriage certificate and birth certificate of the eldest child and trawling through the 1851 census record I was able to fix his identity, which has enabled her at a single bound to get back two more generations and into the 18th century. Long may this kind of effective networking continue. * * * Karen L. Kimball writes: Last summer I discovered the Roots Surname List (RSL) and almost immediately made a connection with a man in Georgia. I was able to supply him with copies of letters his ancestor had written to my ancestor. I used the RSL to look up KERR and saw one that was in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, which was exactly where mine was. When I checked the submitter's other names, he was also searching GLENN. I had family letters written from Sarah Glenn to her niece Nancy, my great-grandmother. Sarah's and Nancy's mother's maiden name was KERR. I e-mailed the submitter, Tim Ray, immediately and we had a match. I was ecstatic! He sent me all kinds of information. We had two SWEESY brothers who married two FORBES sisters. I came from one brother and he came from the other. Recently I subscribed to the surname mailing lists for several of my lines and got tons of information! I've been on the CLOUGH mailing list since its inception, and got connected with a distant cousin who lives about 20 minutes away from me. Within two days after I joined the FOLSOM, MEREDITH, and HAMLIN lists I received several generations of information. People have been unfailingly generous and helpful. Checking my e-mail is a high point of my day -- I never know what tidbits will turn up! * * * * * MAILING LIST TIDBITS by Cyndi Howells A "listowner" maintains a mailing list. The listowner is usually the person who originally established the list and determined the purpose of the list and any rules associated with it. The listowner also helps those who need help to subscribe and unsubscribes from the list successfully. Messages sent to mailing lists are forwarded via e-mail to a software program, which then distributes a copy of the message to each of the subscribers on that list. There are at least two different e-mail addresses associated with each mailing list. The first address is used for sending "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" commands by e-mail. The second address is used to send e-mail messages to all of the other subscribers on the mailing list. Pay close attention to the differences between these two e-mail addresses, so that you know you are using the right address for the proper function. Most mailing lists have two versions: mail mode and digest mode. Mail mode is for individual messages to be delivered one at a time to each subscriber. Digest mode is for several messages to be delivered to each subscriber in one message. After you successfully subscribe to a mailing list you will receive a welcome message with details on how that particular list works. Keep a copy of the welcome message. These suggestions apply to mailing lists and are also good rules for regular e-mail correspondence. The last thing in the world you want to do is inadvertently offend that cousin who has the priceless records about your ancestors. Read the subscription (subscribe and unsubscribe) instructions carefully and follow them exactly. Don't pester the listowner for personal help. Try subscribing and unsubscribing at least five times before you ask for help. You can do it! Read -- don't skim -- the welcome message, FAQ, Web page or any other information sent to you regarding the mailing list and how it works. The rules do apply to you. Follow them. After joining a mailing list, "lurk" (read, do not respond) for a while. Use the correct e-mail address when posting or replying to messages. If you want to reply to someone privately, be sure you are not replying to the entire list. Look at the "TO:" window in your e-mail before you hit that "REPLY" button. Do not send "test" messages to mailing lists. (Mailing lists work; you don't have to "test" them.) Never return an entire letter, message, or newsletter to the sender or to the mailing list. Check the automatic functions on your e-mail program to avoid this. Turn that function off. Do not post any inappropriate messages to a list. For example, don't post genealogical queries about when/where your great- grandparents were married to a list that deals with those coordinating work on compiling cemetery records for a state or county. Don't send any requests for genealogical research to a Webmaster or listowner. Do not use your signature file if it contains long lists of surnames, or your favorite sayings, etc., and always turn it off before you attempt to subscribe or unsubscribe from a mail list. Do not send file attachments to mailing lists. Do not send or forward junk mail or virus warnings to a mailing list. See: Internet Stuff You Need to Know at Do not cross-post the same message to numerous mailing lists. Do not post personal information about yourself or living family members to any mailing lists. When responding to queries, quote your sources precisely. Indicate titles of books, Web site addresses, library names or any other reference you have used. REPLYING TIPS If you decide to reply to a question on a mailing list, determine whether it will be of general interest to all subscribers. If not, send a private e-mail to the person who posted the question. Do not post personal replies or thank-you messages to a mailing list. Send these messages directly to the individual. When replying to a message found on a mailing list digest, do not repeat the entire text of the original message with your reply. Repeat only enough text from the original message that is necessary to clarify your reply or to remind the recipient about the original topic. AVOIDING PROBLEMS Mailing lists are like genealogical societies or any group of people -- composed of many different types of personalities. Remember that misunderstandings can happen easily, as it is impossible to convey body language via e-mail. Avoid topics and discussions that may be controversial in nature. Do not participate in name-calling or other "flaming." Do not assume anything. Clarify all statements before you react. Be patient with all "newbies" to a mailing list. Remember that we all had to start somewhere! The Internet is a global community; therefore be tolerant of others who use English, French, or any language differently than you do. Watch your slang and acronyms. Language that is readily understood and socially acceptable in the United States or Australia might be incomprehensible or even embarrassing to your British, Canadian, or German cousins. STRATEGIES AND REWARDS Sign your e-mail with your name and e-mail address. Not all e-mail software automatically provides this information in the headers. Make it easy on your cousins, so they can contact you. Give a mailing list a fair chance to prove useful. Don't be discouraged if a list is low in traffic or if there are lulls in the conversations. Hang around on a list for a while before you decide to quit. Remember it is a two-way street. Don't ask what all you can GET from a list -- offer to GIVE something. You never know what might pop up! A researcher I know just received a copy of an 1800 Bible entry for her ancestors. It came from a distant cousin she met via a mailing list. She had been searching for this material for more than 20 years. * * * * * GEEK SPEAK: RootsWeb staffer, Ellen Seebacher, a survivor of more than a decade of providing technical support, reports that the favorite acronym of tech-support people everywhere is RTFM (translation: Read the Fine Manual). * * * * * MAILING LISTS: To subscribe or unsubscribe from any RootsWeb mailing list, send an e-mail message with only the word SUBSCRIBE (or UNSUBSCRIBE) in the subject and the body of the message to [name of list]-L-request@rootsweb.com (for mail mode) or to [name of list]-D-request@rootsweb.com (for digest mode). For example, if you wish to be added to the mailing list for the Northern Ireland GenWeb, send your SUBSCRIBE message to: NorthernIrelandGenWeb-L-request@rootsweb.com For an index to most user mailing lists hosted by RootsWeb, visit . (PLEASE NOTE: Although all of the new mailing lists mentioned in RootsWeb Review are "live," it might be a few days before they appear on the ~maillist site.) * * * NEW SURNAME MAILING LISTS: BODKIN (includes BOTKIN) BOOMHOUR (includes BAUMHAUER, BOOMHOWER, and BUMHOWER) BOREMAN (includes BOARMAN) BRAUN CECIL CHISKE (includes CHISK) CLOSSON (includes CLASON and CLAUSON) CRABBE (includes CRABB and CRAIB) DORSET (includes DORSETT, DOORSET; Dorset family) ESTY FLAGG (includes FLEGG) HEFFRON (includes HEFFERNAN; in Charleston, SC) HENRY (includes HENRI, HENERY, and McHENRY) HUDNALL JOBE (includes JOB) KEITH LEWALLEN (includes LEWELLEN, LIEUALLEN, LLEWELLYN, and LUALLEN) LITCHFIELD LOCKHART MAGILL (includes MCGILL) MARSTELLER (includes MOSTOLLER, MARSTILLER, MASTELLER, MOSTELLER, MARSTELLA, etc.) MELOON PANKRATZ RICKABAUGH VANORDEN (includes VAN ORDEN and VAN NAARDEN) ZICKEFOOSE (includes ZICAFOOSE and ZICKAFOOSE) NEW REGIONAL MAILING LISTS NORTHERN IRELAND: NorthernIrelandGenWeb -- The genealogy, history, and culture of Northern Ireland. Queries and surname posts are welcome. Researchers can visit the Northern IrelandGenWeb Project Web site at SCOTLAND: ANGUS -- Angus/Forfar County, Scotland UKRAINE BERDICHEV -- Berdichev, Ukraine U.S.A. FLBAY -- Bay County, Florida FLCOLUMB -- Columbia County, Florida FLHOLMES -- Holmes County, Florida GAPICKEN -- Pickens County, Georgia GATIFT -- Tift County, Georgia LACALDWE -- Caldwell Parish, Louisiana LAWASHIN -- Washington Parish, Louisiana MAWORCES -- Worcester County, Massachusetts NJCAPEMA -- Cape May County, New Jersey NJGLOUCE -- Gloucester County, New Jersey NYCOLUMB -- Columbia County, New York NYHERKIM -- A mailing list for anyone with a genealogical interest in Montgomery and Herkimer counties, New York. Interested individuals may want to check out the Herkimer/Montgomery Counties GenWeb page at NYWYOMIN -- Wyoming County, New York OHLICKIN -- Licking County, Ohio PALAWREN -- Lawrence County, Pennsylvania TNVANBUR -- Van Buren County, Tennessee VAFAIRFA -- Fairfax County, Virginia WILANGLA -- Langlade County, Wisconsin WVMASON -- Mason County, West Virginia WVROANE -- Roane County, West Virginia NEW MAILING LISTS (ETHNIC, GENERAL INTEREST, MISCELLANEOUS) BK5 -- Brother's Keeper 5 discussion list. CIVIL-WAR-IRISH -- Descendants of Irish participants in the American Civil War. GermanRussian (Volga Germans) -- The description given last week was overly broad. The listowner advises that the focus of this list is Black Sea Germans from Russians who are from the area of the District of Grosslienbethal, Odessa. HERBARZ -- A discussion of Polish and Lithuanian heraldry, the history of the armorial clans, and the genealogy of noble families. HYPOPHOSPHATASIA: a genetic metabolic disorder (genetic, not genealogical). LADATA -- For LAGenWeb; a list for typing and posting LA archive data files by individuals, in order to speed-up and ease the process of adding files to the Louisiana USGenWeb Archives; especially when volunteers are limited. PACIFIC_ISLANDS -- People researching Polynesian or Pacific Islands ancestors. UDC -- For members of the United Daughters of the Confederacy * * * * * NEW WEB SITES: Some of these might not yet be accessible. If one that interests you isn't up yet, please check again in a few days or a week. > (the ~ [tilde] before the name is required) will work for most of the following. If not, you will find most of them at the USGenWeb Project or the WorldGenWeb Project . For example, if you wish to visit the Irish Genealogical Society, Int'l (IGSI) Web site, visit: CANADA abepeace -- East Peace, Alberta onrainyr -- Rainy River, Ontario onmauric -- Maurice, Ontario skstjose -- St Joseph's Colony Saskatchewan skweybur -- Weyburn, Saskatchewan GERMANY deunied -- Niedersachsen, Germany IRELAND irish -- Irish Genealogical Society, Int'l (IGSI) nirldy -- Londonderry, Northern Ireland POLAND polwlocl -- Wloclawek, Poland SCOTLAND sctpbs -- Peebleshire Scotland UKRAINE ukrklieb -- Klienliebenthal, Ukraine U.S.A. armissi2 -- Mississippi County, Arkansas cascgs -- Sonoma County (California) Genealogical Society cowcgs -- Weld County (Colorado) Genealogical Society flmcgs -- Martin County (Florida) Genealogical Society gaclayto -- Clayton County, Georgia gafulton -- Fulton County, Georgia gahabers -- Habersham County, Georgia gahall -- Hall County, Georgia galumpki -- Lumpkin County, Georgia garabun -- Rabun County, Georgia gaspaldi -- Spalding County, Georgia gawhite -- White County, Georgia ilpiatt -- Piatt County, Illinois laevange -- Evangeline Parish, Louisiana mnbchs -- Becker Co (Minnesota) Historical Society mnholgs -- Heart O'Lakes Genealogical Society (Minnesota) natgenin -- National Institute on Genealogical Research. ncalaman -- Alamance County, North Carolina okgenang -- Genie Angels (Oklahoma) pacambri/bucks.html -- Bucks County, Pennsylvania tnmarsha -- Marshall County, Tennessee txbrazor -- Brazoria County, Texas txcbgs -- Coastal Bend (Texas) Genealogical Society txgreer -- Greer County, Texas tnroane -- Roane County, Tennessee wvputnam -- Putnam County, West Virginia vahalifa -- Halifax County, Virginia valancas -- Lancaster County, Virginia vashenan -- Shenandoah County, Virginia * * * * * DATA SOURCES AND RELIABILITY by Brian Mavrogeorge, Palladium Interactive, Inc. The family historian approaches information with skepticism. What were the biases of the recorder/reporter? What do other sources say? What were the author's motivations? How did he/she obtain the information in the first place? When public records are examined, the compiler might have had no stake in the information or its accuracy. When assessing the relative merits of information from public and private sources, the documents and the family legend, it is useful to have a method for evaluating evidence -- for checking consistency, directness, and origin. Ultimate Family Tree calls it the "CDO." CONSISTENCY. To determine the reliability of information, you need to assess consistency of the evidence. The evidence can support the conclusion, refute the conclusion, or be neutral. DIRECTNESS. Evidence can be in the form of a direct statement of fact or an implied fact. You can be more confident of a direct statement of fact than implied or circumstantial evidence. For example, the direct statement of a birth date on a birth certificate rather than the circumstantial evidence of a birth date implied on a marriage certificate. ORIGIN. Evidence is primary, secondary, or unknown. Primary means that the information was recorded at the same time as (or shortly after) an event. Secondary means the information was recorded at a later time or by someone who did not participate in the event. Unknown is simply that -- the origin is unknown. Using your assessment of the consistency, directness, and origin you can put the entire set of evidence in perspective. You can document for yourself and your reader your conclusion. The evidence is clear and convincing; it is probably conclusive as it has no conflicting evidence; probably conclusive but there is some conflicting evidence; or, it is marginally certain because it has weak or conflicting evidence. Ultimate Family Tree's "sure" levels and text window specifically for evidence evaluations help with this process. * * * * * HUMOR: This one is flying around the Internet at light speed. IT'S ELEMENTARY Sherlock Holmes and Matthew Watson were on a camping and hiking trip. They had gone to bed and were lying there looking up at the sky. Holmes said, "Watson, look up. What do you see?" "I see thousands of stars," Watson replied. "And what does that mean to you?" "Well, I guess it means we will have another nice day tomorrow. What does it mean to you, Holmes?" Holmes replied, "To me, it means someone has stolen our tent." * * * * * *WE ARE UNABLE TO ANSWER E-MAIL REQUESTS FOR RESEARCH ASSISTANCE