Doug, I've posted from time to time how many subscribers are on this list. Anyone can find that number by going out to the Web board/Forum board and clicking the "About" link. The only reason I mention it is to make people aware that they are emailing 1200 people, some of whom are still working or have limited time on their hands. The list is active with genealogy posts (sometimes 20 in a day) and I would like the posts to be meaningful for the 1200 subscribers. Reading a single post that says "Thanks!" is imposing on people's time and is not meaningful nor helpful in someone's genealogical search.
After teaching kids and teenagers math and then adults DNA and genealogy, I know how it works. Teach something. You get questions from some of the audience (class) at the end. People (even kids) raise their hand and ask questions. The vast majority take the information that was presented and walk away with it. Then there are the few people that come up and ask a question in private. Same thing with this list. The vast majority of people read, take the information, and walk away with it. Some people raise their hand (post) their question for all to see. And a few email privately to ask a question. Since your last post, I've received a number of emails about the underlying intent of that post. You'll give people a gift who email you? Geez, you're sounding like a used car salesman! All of us who have been into this awhile know you do research for hire. It's posted on the Azores GenWeb for all to see along with the list of other researchers for hire. And when someone asks for a researcher for hire, I post that link. So if you are drumming up business, just say so. But to bribe people with a gift....sounds like those time share things where you sit for 3 hours and listen to their spiel for the "gift" at the end. And we all know that many of those things are shady. I'm sure you don't want to be known as the "shady" genealogist! And the DNA offer? Sorry to tell you this, but we've already been doing fundraising. We've raised funds for certain lines that we wanted tested and the money was put into the General Fund at FTDNA. Basically an escrow account. That way, I don't have to handle the money and try to keep track of it. Money can create problems. Just giving money to one person with no backing....I prefer the fiduciary set up that FTDNA has. And it was nice having it there in another project I manage. People contributed money towards a kit and then they decided not to pursue that line. FTDNA knew who donated what and refunded it all back. Seriously, people are going to send you money and for all we know, you're using it to buy something you've been eyeballing! Cheri Mello Listowner, Azores-Gen Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/azores.

