A mailing list is an e-mail-based discussion forum for anyone having an interest in a
specific topic. In genealogy research, it is generally a discussion group that’s
devoted to a single surname. The discussion group is similar in form to a distributed
bulletin board system. It is not a live chat room. Users send e-mail messages
(called posts) to the group (the list’s e-mail address), and the list retransmits the
messages to everyone who is subscribed. Those reading the discussion may send reply
messages (called follow-up posts) that are also read by the group as a whole.
All Lists Have Two E-mail Addresses
- the list name followed by -L, where posts should be sent (i.e., SURNAME-L@rootsweb.com).
- the list name followed by -request, where commands to the listserver software
should be sent (i.e., SURNAME-L-request@rootsweb.com).
List Modes Affect How You Receive Posts
Mailing lists can operate in any of three modes:
- MAIL mode, where every post is sent to subscribers as a separate piece of e-mail.
MAIL mode requires a great deal of effort by the listserving computer. MAIL mode lists are
often named listname-M.
- DIGEST mode, where about twenty posts are batched together and then sent to the
subscribers. Digests produce less clutter in your mailbox, but replying to an individual
message may require a little extra effort. Digest mode lists are often named listname-D.
- INDEX mode, where a list of the Subject: and From: lines for each post is sent
daily to the subscribers. Subscribers can then request only the messages they want to see.
INDEX mode lists are often named listname-I.
Besides those lists, the default mode for a list is sometimes called listname-L.
For example, the default mode of ROOTS-L is DIGEST, so ROOTS-L really is three lists:
ROOTS-L, ROOTS-M, and ROOTS-I.
Be aware, though, that many lists (especially small ones) do not adhere to these
conventions.
It's easy – just click on the list you want. When the "mail-to" window
pops up, write just the single word "subscribe" (do not include the quotation
marks) in the subject and body of the message.
If you want to unsubscribe from a list, click on it and write just the single word
"unsubscribe" (do not include the quotation marks) in the subject
and body of the
message.
Finally, if you are using a signature file be sure to turn it off before sending
the message.
That's all there is to it!
- DAVEY-L — A mailing list
for the discussion and sharing of information regarding the DAVEY
surname in any place and at any time.
- DAVEY-D — in digest mode
- The Davey mailing list applies to both spellings of the surname — Davey and Davy.
- ELLIS-L — A mailing list
for the discussion and sharing of information regarding the ELLIS
surname in any place and at any time.
- ELLIS-D — in digest mode
- HUNT-L — A mailing list for
the discussion and sharing of information regarding the HUNT
surname in any place and at any time.
- HUNT-D — in digest mode
- LANDRETH-L — A mailing list for
the discussion and sharing of information regarding the LANDRETH
surname in any place and at any time.
- LANDRETH-D — in digest mode
- The Landreth mailing list applies to both spellings of the surname — Landreth and Landrith.
- McPHERSON-L — A
mailing list for the discussion and sharing of information regarding the McPHERSON surname in any place and at any time.
- McPHERSON-D — in digest mode
- NASH-L — A mailing list for
the discussion and sharing of information regarding the NASH
surname in any place and at any time.
- NASH-D — in digest mode
- NUTT-L — A mailing list for
the discussion and sharing of information regarding the NUTT
surname in any place and at any time.
- NUTT-D — in digest mode
- ROWLEY-L — A mailing list for
the discussion and sharing of information regarding the ROWLEY
surname in any place and at any time.
- ROWLEY-D — in digest mode
- The Rowley mailing list applies to both spellings of the surname — Rowley and Rowlee.
To find other surname mailing lists not referenced above, see the
complete index to RootsWeb's genealogy mailing lists at http://lists.rootsweb.com/.
 
Questions or problems
regarding this Web site should be directed to the webmaster.
Copyright © 1997–2006 Donald D. Nutt. All rights reserved.
Last modified:
Wednesday June 14, 2006.
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