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Guidelines

FAMILYSEARCH-L@Rootsweb

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FAMILYSEARCH-L in General

Our list is unique in that it deals generally with how to use the Internet and computer in gathering Family History Information.  On our list we are all volunteers.  The list has members from all around the world.   We are non-professionals who use the Internet to find our Family Tree.  List members are rewarded by using the experience of the "group" to help with problems or make places on the Web easier to find and use.  We repay that debt by helping others with our shared resources.  The reason this works is because we are a large helpful community, and the members of our list are indeed some of the most helpful and caring people you may ever associate with.

Our Stated Goals:

  • Discuss uses and navigation of The FamilySearch Web Site.   This would include Searching, Sharing, Collaborating, Downloading, and using the FHL Catalogue
  • Discussion of other Internet sites with Genealogical Information. This would include Rootsweb and U.S. Genweb
  • Discuss common challenges with Internet surfing and Browser use
  • Discussion of how to keep good records and develop good Web research habits.
  • Discuss general Software questions or the use of Personal Ancestral File.
  • General discussion of how to use the Internet to further Family History and use the resources of the Web to bring Family's together.
  • Prepare members to use additional resources outside the Internet. These include FHC use, NARA resources, and Historical Societies and Libraries with information posted on Internet sites.

    General Guidelines - Since we don't want a lengthy list of do's and dont's the short list of guideline's might include:

  • "If you wouldn't want your mother reading it, don't post it".
  • All complaints go to the list owner first.
  • Any off topic discussion that takes away from the purpose of the list will stop when the list owner asks us to move on.
  • Individual help should be given off list, but every general question should be replied to the whole list.
  • And of course since none of us are experts, no one should be hurt by another's input, or be too critical of any errors.

    The Long List

  • Language in messages is to be appropriate. This guideline is not limited to just mean inappropriate words.   Since there are subscribers from all around the world, and for many of these English is a second language, messages need to be written carefully so as to be understood and not to offend.

  • We don't allow "flaming".   If it occurs, apologies are to be given and accepted.  Failure to adhear to this guideline will result in removal from the list.

  • Our list is not a place to advertise any non-family history site, or to offer professional services.

  • Virus warnings are to receive permission from the list owner Before posting to the list.

  • Our list is not for Surname Research.  List members may post their surnames, once when they first subscribe, but the archives is where this information will be.  New members should check the Archives when they subscribe to see if there are others working on their lines. Surnames should NOT be a general topic posted to the list.

  • Since mailing lists tend to get off track, it may be necessary from time to time to ask that certain topics be discussed off list or that they be curtailed.  If you consider something to be off the topic voice your concern to the List Owner not the general list.  They are the one that should ask others to drop the thread and move on.   That way the list owner is the one with the final say and the only "E-policeman" for the list.  This is to keep our list friendly and not start any bad feelings.

  • This is a non-commercial list.   While some people from various interests are subscribers, our intention is to not allow any vested concern to use the list for personal or commercial promotion of any kind.

And of course there is the disclaimer.

Our E-mail list is called Familysearch because that is what we do. We are not affiliated with any specific site, software, or group. We have no ties to the LDS Church, or Rootsweb, or any commercial site or software that is discussed or recommended.   We like it that way.    It gives us a certain freedom in our discussions and we will work very hard to keep it that way.