This is a discussion area for anyone who has an interest in Genealogy and/or History related to the state of Vermont.

        My name is Karima, and I'm the administrator of this list. I'm responsible for keeping it running as smoothly as possible and setting some rules and guidelines. 

        Read this message. Yes, I realize it is long but there is a lot of important information here. 

        You may see some new terms and phrases here along with exacting instructions about sending commands etc. You will get used to it soon enough - don't let it bother you.  In order to make things work well you must follow instructions - to the letter.  If you leave something out of a command or put something extra in, it won't work. This is because of the way computer programs work. 

        This list is for the discussion of the Genealogy and History of Vermont.  Discussion of migration patterns, immigration, heraldry, historical sketches, settlements, census data, wills, family Bibles, vital records, web sites, etc. is encouraged.  Public announcements of information of interest to Genealogists in general is permitted, but please use discretion. 

        Please be considerate of your fellow list members.  Remember some people are beginners at computers, some at genealogy, some at using the English language: never be impatient with simple questions, or expressions which are difficult to understand - we are here to help each other. Personal attacks and criticism, or 'flaming', are not permitted on this list. 

        Off topic subjects are not welcome.  By this, I mean messages which do not pertain to either genealogy or the history of Vermont and the surrounding area. 

        IMPORTANT - Occasionally messages that are off topic, as well as SPAM, are posted on the Vermont Rootsweb Message Board, which is gatewayed to the list.  When this happens, please just hit your delete key.  Do not send complaints to the list. 

        Members who join in on these "off topic" subjects (this pertains to both pro and con opinions) may be put on "read only" status.  This means that the member will not be able to send messages to the list. If you are in doubt as to the appropriateness of a subject, please contact me privately.

        Do not post virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, etc.

        Do not send messages to the list asking the members to join in "letter writing" campaigns, regardless of the purpose.

        For information on virus hoaxes and urban legends see:

        No rude comments or flaming are allowed on the list.   For definitions of flaming and related information see:

        This list is for Genealogy and History - not for political or religious statements - this is a very strict rule and abusing it will result in immediate dismissal from the list.

        Important:  If another member of the list contacts you privately to complain about a message you have posted, please forward the message directly to me. 

       When posting a new message to the list select an informative but concise subject line. When replying to a post remember to change the subject line if the subject being discussed changes.  When replying to a message, if you intend your reply to go privately or to the list be sure to check that the intended address(es) are showing in the Send To box of your email BEFORE clicking on SEND.  Genealogical information should be directed to the list as others may benefit from your reply as well as the intended recipient.  "Thank yous" and other personal notes should be sent to the individual only. 

        Try to keep quoting to a minimum. "Quoting" is repeating text of the message you are replying to.  Some quoting is necessary to remind other readers what the thread is about but do try to use good judgment. Quoting the previous writer's signature block or surname list is totally unnecessary.

        If you are subscribed in "digest" form, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you do not just hit the reply button when replying to a message in the digest.  This will result in sending the entire digest back to the list.  (If this happens, I will suggest that you change your subscription from digest to list mode.) 

        Instead, you will have to "cut and paste" your reply into a new message window and then send it to the list.  If you are unsure how to do this, please contact me and I will help you with it.  You can also find instructions on how to "cut and paste" at the following web site:
 
 

        Sending a list of the Surnames you are searching is okay but please try to limit them to say, half a dozen names. Any more than that and many people just won't read them.  Try keeping several small lists and rotate them with each succeeding message. By all means do not put "roll call"  as the sole subject line.  List the surnames themselves in the subject line.  It is also helpful to list the time frame.

        Please remember that it helps to put something in the "subject line".  Many people delete messages without any subject.  In addition, a new automated system at RootsWeb will most likely reject any posting without a subject line.

        Accuracy is important and sources are vital. Ancestor lists are worthless if the information is wrong. 

        All information need not be accompanied by source citations, but I do recommend strongly that posts either include sources or a note stating that they are available on request. 

        If information is speculation then label it as such until it is proven or commonly accepted as fact. 

        When posting your query try to give as much information as you know, i.e. dates and places of all vital events if known, along with enough other family members so that the reader can positively identify if they are researching the same family.  "Anyone out there researching SMITHs?"  is way to broad and most likely won't get you any results.

        When posting your query it is helpful to make the message as readable as possible.  One paragraph, a page long, full of names and dates, is too difficult to decipher and most people won't bother to take the time to do so.

        Write surnames in CAPITAL letters.  They are much easier to read and are the generally accepted way to write surnames.

        When replying to the list (this also can apply to private replies) try to quote some portions of the previous message so that other readers are reminded what the "thread" is about.  Make it clear what is quoted material and what you are adding.  Most mail readers take care of this for you by inserting greater-than signs ">" at the beginning of each quoted line or possibly double brackets "<<" before and ">>" after the quoted piece.  Use standard Windows procedures to "cut" unnecessary material. 

        Post your query frequently if you have not yet found the information you are seeking regarding your ancestor. New people are joining the list all the time and they may have the info you need. 

       Please send all replies to the list, not just to the original poster.  Other members may benefit from the data that you provide. 

Happy Hunting!

Karima
VERMONT List Administrator