Hi, Folks -
Many of us are having problems tracking down new material to add to our
counties. We don't live near our county, and we only have so much money we
can use to purchase material. Lack of time, weather, transportation,
health....all are factors.
Sooooo....with fall approaching, and summer vacations winding down, maybe
this is a good time to start actively soliciting submissions. Many
researchers have data that would be helpful, but they don't know it, or
know how to go about submitting it. Some folks aren't even aware that we
not only want submissions, we're willing to beg for them. <g>
I've added a blurb on the MS State pages to get things rolling:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~msgenweb/whatsnew.htm
Additionally, there are several things we all can, and should do, to
encourage submissions:
1. Place a request for submissions on your county home page. Link to or
copy the blurb from the State Page, if you like. If you copy, feel free to
make whatever changes work best for you county and page layout. Large or
small, make the request appealing and eye-catching, and place in a
conspicuous area.
2. Use your county mail list to make *occasional* requests for material,
especially if you notice there have been several new subscribers.
3. Take the bull by the horns. Carefully monitor your county mail list,
and when a researcher posts appropriate information on the list, write to
the researcher privately, and ask permission to include the material on
your county pages. Wilkinson Co has picked up quite a bit that way, and
probably others. Don't be discouraged if not everyone is receptive. Just
move on to the next one.
4. Don't be picky! One tiny photograph or one short paragraph about one
ancestor is one more piece of helpful material we didn't have
before. That's how we grow.
5. Be responsive. Follow up on offers/questions as quickly as
possible. If you have questions about whether a particular submission is
acceptable, if you need help in reformatting, or if you become inundated
with new files, ask for help on MSCHAT. If no one answers right away, yell
at cuz EAR. She'll light a fire under the rest of us, for sure, 'cause she
don't like being yelled at. <g>
6. Keep your pages updated and fresh! This is really, really
important. Check for broken links and graphics regularly. Consider giving
your county a fresh face, if it's been a year or more since the last
revamp. Check the CC Guidelines for suggestions. Always change the "Last
Updated" blurb on the home page for any addition/alteration. People are
far more inclined to make submissions if they see a county is active and
well-maintained, and they feel their submissions will be properly presented
and cared for.
7. If asked, assure the researcher that the submission will remain with
MSGenWeb as long as he desires, even if you have to move on.
8. When material is submitted and uploaded, direct visitors to the new
file via a "What's New" area accessible from your home page. Make the
announcement on your county mail list, and MSGEN-L. My favorite pastime is
adding items to our state What's New page. That's the first place many
researchers head for, when visiting the state pages, and some people have
even set their bookmarks directly to that page.
9. Are you on a server with space limitations? Don't let that stop
you! I'll be happy to create a sub directory on our state RW account,
upload the material for you, and you can link directly to it. For all
intent and purposes, it will be a part of your county, and will stay with
the county.
10. Thank the submitter! Let him know how much you, and all researchers,
appreciate the help, as well we do.
Let's go for it, and see how many new files we can get online between now
and.....oh, Thanksgiving. :-)
Thanks!
Ellen, off to make potato salad for hubby's birthday party.