If you're a subscriber to a genealogy mailing list, you already know how exciting it is to meet new people with similar interests (and surnames) and to share information. If you're not a subscriber to at least one genealogically related mailing list, you're missing a great experience. "Along Those Lines ...", we'll talk about mailing lists this week.

A mailing list is simply a group of people who share information about a topic of common interest via E-mail. They're also referred to as "listsrvs," after the name of a mechanized mailing list administration program.

Subscribing to a mailing list is similar to subscribing to a magazine. You send in your name and address and you get material back. The difference is that, with a mailing list, you send an E-mail message in to subscribe (or to unsubscribe), and all your material arrives in your E-mail box.

There are literally tens of thousands of mailing lists available on every topic imaginable. There are thousands of genealogy-related mailing lists. You can choose from mailing lists about specific surnames, genealogy research tips, ships passenger lists, books, library interests, and more.

There are many great places to find out about available mailing lists and how to subscribe to them.

For the most comprehensive list of genealogy-related mailing lists, check the Web page of John Fuller at http://members.aol.com/johnf14246/gen_mail.html. John is one of the great Internet experts in the Genealogy Forum on America Online, and he is internationally recognized for his knowledge and expertise in Internet mailing lists.

Cyndi Howells has a Web page on mailing lists too at http://www.cyndislist.com/mailnews.htm. Check there for more mailing lists.

Check the Genealogy Forum's Internet Center where you'll find a collection of Genealogy Mailing Lists & Newsgroups listed.

And ... for the granddaddy of all mailing list information sites, try the Liszt Lists at http://www.liszt.com.

First, choose a single mailing list. Select one that is of interest to you. A good one to start with, regardless of your level of genealogical experience, is the GenTips-L mailing list. Here, people share information, suggestions and tips on research techniques, where to go when you hit a dead end, genealogy software programs, mailing lists, how to obtain forms, where the best places are on the Internet/WWW for information, and a variety of other items. It's a warm group of caring and informative people. (Look for subscription information at John Fuller's Web site.)

Second, consider the fact that some mailing lists are very active, and some are relatively inactive. You should probably select only one mailing list at a time. That way you can get a feel for the content, the amount of traffic, and see if you really want to participate.

Third, "Lurk Before You Leap" into the conversation. When you go to a party where most of the other guests are unknown to you, you probably hang on the fringes of a group listening to what's being discussed before jumping in. You don't want to embarrass yourself. The same holds true with mailing lists. Observe for a while; get a feel for the content and the tone of the discussion. Then, if you feel comfortable with participating, begin softly to share with others. And the operable word here is, indeed, share.

Lastly, you will want to exercise proper "Netiquette" -- short for "Internet Etiquette." That means the following:
Don't attack or "flame" anyone for their opinions. You may disagree, but do so with tact and grace. In other words, as you respond to others, "smile from the wrist down."
Never type in all capital letters. To do so implies shouting, and is considered very rude.
When you send any E-mail, use a short but thoughtful subject line so that the recipient(s) will know exactly what you plan to discuss. Subject lines that read, "Help!" are often ignored. Lack of subject implies that, if you don't care, why should anyone else?
Most important, consider carefully whether you should send a reply to a message to an individual or to the entire subscribership of the mailing list. Send private E-mail to carry on a discussion of a private nature which has little or no interest to the whole group. No one appreciates "junk mail."

When you subscribe to a mailing list, you will receive a welcome message. SAVE THIS FOREVER! This piece of E-mail will describe the mailing list, set the tone, tell you how to unsubscribe (if you don't like the list), how to suspend E-mail (if you want to go on vacation and not come home to 2,000 E-mail messages), and other useful information.

I personally subscribe to some mailing lists for a while and then unsubscribe. Having kept the welcome messages in a folder labeled "Mailing Lists," I can always find out how to unsubscribe. Otherwise, I might never be able to stop receiving some unwanted E-mail from these listsrvs.

I have personally located cousins. I have learned new research techniques. I have found out about new books, software, WWW sites, forms, other mailing lists, and a vast array of other information. Most of all, I have had the joy of making new friends all over. And ... I've had the happy honor of sharing friendship, ideas and this fascinating love we all have for genealogy.

See for yourself! Subscribe to a mailing list!