Beginning March 2nd, 2020 the Mailing Lists functionality on RootsWeb will be discontinued. Users will no longer be able to send outgoing emails or accept incoming emails. Additionally, administration tools will no longer be available to list administrators and mailing lists will be put into an archival state.
Administrators may save the emails in their list prior to March 2nd. After that, mailing list archives will remain available and searchable on RootsWeb
/_*Leave a Farewell Message*_/
This post was by Judith to MODAVIES:
suggestion: People may want to post a "farewell" message on the mailing
list before it goes to archive, and in this message include an email you
plan to keep for the foreseeable future. A separate email could be set
up expressly for this purpose if it is more convenient/secure. (You'll
want web-based, not provider-based.) That way, if someone peruses the
archive & finds a possible connection, they would have a way to get in
touch with you privately. I have been on a couple of lists that went
archival at some point, and I really wish I had done that, as our old
email was provider-based and - once that provider went defunct, people
looking through the defunct mailing list had no way to contact me (nor I
them) It's easier to track people down these days, but I'd still suggest
this.
I think this to be an excellent idea, wish I thought it. I would like to
expand to suggest that a post to include Your name, best address to
reach you (one that might be dedicated to your genealogy research), a
list surname(s) of interest, a list to places of interest (country,
region, state, county), subject of interest, snail mail address (at your
own risk), telephone number (again at your own risk), web address if you
have a website, where you “moved.” Please keep in mind these to be
suggestions and you should only provide what you would be comfortable
for “ibots” to find.
Might not want to wait to last minute. This would give system to process
information and have it posted. With this in mind, please do not be
concerned when you see my post to the nearly 300 (took inventory; final
count was 298 – just sharing) mailing lists I admin. I will be leaving
my time capsule to the list(s) in the coming days. But I will be here
til Roots Web turn off the lights and lock the door.
Let me take a few lines to acknowledge all the “thank-you” I have
received. I started with a few surnames and expanded to counties more
recently. But you are all “welcomed.” I try serve with the volunteer
spirit and a happy heart. Please overlook my frustration that may boil
to the top in the coming days.
Susan
--
---
Genealogy: Where you confuse the dead and irritate the living.
/_*Ramblings from the Backseat*_/
Beginning March 2nd, 2020 the Mailing Lists functionality on RootsWeb
will be discontinued. Users will no longer be able to send outgoing
emails or accept incoming emails.
I have already announced that as of March 2^nd , when Roots Web ceases
to function as a mailing list that I will be hanging up my
administrator's hat.
These are my observations and suggestions going forward.
First and foremost, someone needs to step-up to be new administrator,
chairman, leader, whatever title you like.
Next a decision should be made whether to remain a mailing list or a
bulletin board. Of course, what is to say both could be established. I
personally have not read, but Dick Eastman has endorsed Group.io as a
venue for mailing list. From what little time I have had, I would lean
toward Group.io to maintain mailing list format.
I have no experience with bulletin boards therefore I have no input. I
am hearing Facebook, but I have issues with privacy and whether someone
would make the site secure enough. I am sure there are other venues for
bulletin board format. Can not stop someone setting up FB account, just
do not bother to invite me. Also, Ancestry has an established bulletin
board area, it is functioning.
Due to the activity on most state lists, my next suggestion would be
that county mailing lists consolidate to form one state list. When
activity is established divide into regions. Too much activity then
establish a county list (start at the top and drill down). Under the
blanket of a state list posting could use subject line to keep the
identity of the county ie; SUBJECT: [AL-SUMTER] Looking for …
Surname lists are a horse of a different color. Suggestion here would be
to make use of subject line. Kinda like reading a newspaper, the subject
line is like a headline of a newspaper. Personally I pay attention to an
informative subject line.
A worry in the back of my mind is with the “mass exodus” from Roots Web
to other venue on whether that venue can handle the new activity or
whether “we” will cause that venue to crash and burn. Here's hoping that
is a needless concern.
Once the list is established … there needs to be centralized place where
a directory or a place of registration that searching community would go
to find the list. Since I am US based, USGenWeb comes to mind. This
maybe more difficult step. USGenWeb sites are individually maintained.
Hearing rumblings that this may be solved in the near future.
Last concern (for the moment) would be “being nice and playing well with
others.” Personally, have not experienced this problem. Frustration,
maybe. Especially when Roots Web fell apart and returned “fixed” with
continuing problems. For example, I still have to push through a post
from someone using AOL. AOL users … this is why your post takes a little
longer to be seen. Sorry, I do my best with the tools I have to work
with. Patience is probably going to be the keyword in days to come.
Patience with the leaders that will step forward. They are going to be
putting a lot on their plates and will need support in establishing a
new venue and getting it working, establishing their rules, etc.
Congratulation to those lists that have found a “new home.” From what I
see you are in good hands! Will try to make this last posting to those
newly adopted lists. (Posting to all lists today.)
At this point in time, Family Trees, Message Boards, Web Sites, & Wiki
at Roots Web are not effected to my knowledge. Of course, Message Boards
are already part of Ancestry.
So open conversation. Work on finding a volunteer to lead the list
forward. I'm gonna stop rambling for the moment. I'm here till they turn
off the lights and lock the door.
Susan
/_*Unsubscribing from Mailing List(s)*_/
With the upcoming changes to Roots Web, some have decided to “leave
early.” Which I personally understand. Since I am busy, I would like to
ask for your help. Should you make the decision to close your membership
to list please do the following:
Insert or substitute listname before dash.
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to
listname-request(a)rootsweb.com <mailto:wvlogan-request@rootsweb.com> with
the word "unsubscribe" without the quotes in the subject and the body of the
email with no additional text.
OR
A link is provided at the bottom of individual and digests.
Help in this area will be completely appreciated and will be considered
an act of kindness.
/_*Genealogy of Roots Web*_/
Since most of us are genealogists or family historians, I write this to
answer the primary questions I am receiving in “genealogy speak.”
Mailing lists were scattered about the Internet prior to the conception
of Roots Web (ie: AOL, Prodigy, Compuserve, and others)
BIRTH: Sometime in 1996, Karen & Brian Leverich, conceived what it is
now known as Roots Web. Roots Web grew to host uncountable mailing list
of many subjects, surnames, places, etc. These mailing lists were free
to its users/subscribers.
MARRIAGE: June 2000. Roots Web was married (purchased by) Ancestry, Inc.
with prenuptial agreement that mailing list services would remain free.
I believe to be sometime in 2015, our beloved Roots Web began to suffer
health issues. My speculation is outgrew its existence and its host was
unable to keep up without a major and costly overhaul. After a year
plus, Roots Web reopened its doors, but a lot of her faithful
subscribers had lost interest or found other vehicles to convey their
passages of information. During this time, other updates on the Internet
have occurred. These changes have caused some subscribers unable to
participate. Not qualified to expand on this other than to say that some
folks have lost connection with Roots Web,
DEATH: 2 March 2020. Beginning March 2nd, 2020 the Mailing Lists
functionality on RootsWeb will be discontinued. Users will no longer be
able to send outgoing emails or accept incoming emails. Additionally,
administration tools will no longer be available to list administrators
and mailing lists will be put into an archival state.
BURIAL: Archives will be available to peruse. No further information as
to where, how long, or whether a price tag will be added.
Hope this helps.
Susan Penn Groover
Hi everyone!
This has been heavy on my heart since Ancestry / Roots Web announcement.
I have been admin / moderator for various mailing lists for 25+ years
(some lists that predate Roots Web). The options for change do not fit
my personal criteria. This is, also, not happening at a time I am able
to give personal time for this change. Plus, I think Ancestry is not
given an adequate “heads up” for this change. (I personally admin 200+
lists) So I have made the decision to become a subscriber as opposed to
an administrator.
I will remain admin to the mailing lists I currently admin till Roots
Web makes the changes they propose on March 2^nd .
I am leaving the decision for change to the list members.
I am still gathering options. I will post suggestions in the next few days.
The major option I am hearing is Facebook. I suppose this could work.
But Facebook, in my humble opinion, would be turning a mailing list into
a message board. And various mailing list members have stated they would
not Facebook. Personally, I am in this bucket. I have personal issues
with Facebook. Open discussion on the list. Voice your opinion.
Enough for now. Will post more on other options in the future.
Susan Penn Groover, List Administrator
For those that have not heard the news ... Rootsweb will no longer be
supporting mailing lists in March 2020. It will remain read only, so
archives will be accessible. In my mind, I question how long.
Please keep in mind that each mailing list archives is the property of
RootsWeb and will not be able to moved, removed, etc. Only the mailing
list members list will be accessible by the admin for that list.
I am looking for alternatives which I have started listing below.
Alternatives:
Ancestry -- as I understand, this alternative is platform based. Meaning
one would have to long into to post a message as opposed to simply
sending an e-mail.
Groups.io -- would keep mailing, but to get full function a fee would be
required.
Google Groups -- I have not researched this option. Personally, I have
issues with Google and will not pursue this option as admin.
I suppose the major decision is whether to remain an e-mail based Group
or platform based?
My personal prerequisite is that it must be FREE.
Discussion in open...
Susan Groover, List Admin.
--
---
Genealogy: Where you confuse the dead and irritate the living.
Description
The CLANTON Mailing List is an e-mail list for genealogical research of the CLANTON surname. We are interested in any time period and all geographic areas pertaining to the CLANTON surname.
Information
The purpose of the CLANTON Mailing List is to band together those who research the CLANTON surname, so that we can share experiences, examine sources, give advice, make suggestions that others may find the information they are seeking.