SFHG Mailing List - More Detail (Lots!)

Welcome to the SFHG Mailing List. This page describes how to join the list and how to make best use of it. A list of the most common problems for mailing list subscribers is included in the trouble-shooting guide.

Below you will find:
Basic information about the list
Subscribing to the list
Sending messages to the list
The RootsWeb mailing list search engine
General list rules
Unsubscribing from the list
Changing your Email Address
Trouble-shooting guide

Basic Information about the List

This is a discussion area for anyone who has an interest in Genealogy and Local History related to the county of Sussex. The list is hosted by RootsWeb who also host many other genealogy mailing lists.

The aim of this list is to help each other by sharing information and knowledge, advising where one can locate, or offer to help search sources, in England and abroad.

PLEASE note, however, that whilst professional genealogists and record agents who have genuine family interests in the area covered are most welcome to join us, they must on NO ACCOUNT use the list as a means of seeking business or obtaining information from other subscribers to further their own ends. This list is provided to us FREE OF CHARGE by the RootsWeb organisation, on the understanding that it not used in any way for financial gain.

Subscribing to the List

The list offers two versions: Mail mode and Digest mode. Mail mode sends you a copy of each individual message as it is posted to the list. Digest mode bundles up the list messages sent over about 18 hours and sends them to you as a single message. In the unlikely event that you wished to subscribe to both modes, you would need two email addresses.

The SFHG mailing list has automatic unsubscribing but human-controlled subscribing. Each subscription request has to be checked manually to restrict membership to SFHG members.

To join the list, or to change the email address used, please complete the form.

Sending Messages to the List

To post a message so everyone on the mailing list receives it, send it to
SFHG@rootsweb.com
Your message will then be sent on to everyone in either mail and digest mode.

Note that the address for posting messages is the same whether you are subscribed to mail or digest mode. But please note that this address is NOT used for subscribing and unsubscribing.

When replying to a post, it is normal to include the original post although you may want to delete the last few lines which were not part of the member's text.

MESSAGES WILL ONLY APPEAR ON THE LIST IF YOU ARE A CURRENT SUBSCRIBER

If you respond to a post using 'Reply' it will (subject to the email software you use) go only to the person who posted the message. If you use 'Reply All' it will also go to all list members. Note that if the original post was directed to more than one list, your reply will also go there and you will get an error message if you are not a subscriber. So check the destination(s) each time.

The Rootsweb Mailing List Search Engine

The messages sent to this mailing list, in common with many other Rootsweb mailing lists, are held on an archive database. You can search on keywords or list posts for a particular month.

For an interactive search the address is http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=SFHG.

To list posts, for example on rejoining after a holiday, the address is http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/SFHG

General List Rules

The list is not moderated. Any message sent to it is automatically sent out to everyone on the list. List owners have the right to step in if a flame war erupts and people are upsetting other subscribers. Please remember that the purpose of this list is for genealogical discussion. Offenders run the risk of being barred from the list.

Please keep your messages short and to the point. An excessively long message will not be read fully, and will irritate some subscribers - especially those who have to pay for each telephone call. Once you have established a common interest with a fellow subscriber, THEN is the time to send (as a personal mail to them only) fuller details of your research.

RootsWeb lists do not accept messages which have attachments. This is because of the problems which attachments can cause with some e-mail programs. It also has the benefit that you cannot receive any viruses directly from a RootsWeb mailing list.

You must Plain Text rather than HTML encoding when composing messages for RootsWeb mailing lists.

If you have a personal message (non relevant reply to question) for the sender please send it to their own E-mail address, NOT the list address. Any mail sent to the list will automatically be sent to everyone on the list. Please do not use the list for general off-topic chatting.

Please avoid mentioning living people unless you have their permission. It is an invasion of their privacy.

Unsubscribing from the List

If you are an existing subscriber and have forgotten how to unsubscribe here are the instructions.

To unsubscribe from the list follow these instructions exactly, as subscription is handled by a computer. Send a message to the administration address using the email address used when subscribing to:

SFHG-L-request@rootsweb.com (for Mail mode) or to
SFHG-D-request@rootsweb.com (for Digest mode)

that contains (in the body of the message) the word 'unsubscribe' and no additional text. Also put the single word 'unsubscribe' as the Subject. It must be sent as Plain Text, not HTML, and without other text such as a signature.

If you use Outlook Express, you can check and set the format (Plain text or HMTL) after clicking on 'Format' at the top of the New Message window.

Changing Your Email Address

The SFHG mailing list has automatic unsubscribing but human-controlled subscribing. Each subscription request has to be checked manually to prevent non SFHG members from joining.

This causes a delay if you wish to change your email address or want to switch from list/mail mode to digest mode or vice versa. Requests will normally be processed within 48 hours, but it may be longer when I have other commitments.

If you unsubscribe your old address and then request that your new one be subscribed you lose any SFHG messages sent to the list during your absence.

To avoid this please complete the form.

I will then send off the new subscription at the same time as unsubscribing the unwanted version/address. This should ensure that you don't lose any SFHG messages - so long as RootsWeb behaves!

Trouble Shooting Guide

Click on the link that describes your problem

I can't unsubscribe
I'm not receiving list messages
My own messages don't appear
I need to temporarily leave the list
I want to change from Digest to Mail mode
I want to change from Mail to Digest mode
"Your message to ..... is awaiting administrator review"
"Post sent by a non-member to a members-only list"
I need to contact the Listowner

PROBLEM

Explanation and Solution

Can't Unsubscribe

Check that you are sending your unsubscribe request to the correct address. Check that you are sending your request from the address that is subscribed. Do these checks by looking at the Headers/Properties of the list messages you receive. Then follow the instructions in Unsubscribing from the list

Not receiving list messages

You can check Rootsweb status - there is a link on the SFHG website home page to Rootsweb status

When ISPs have temporary problems or your mailbox on their server becomes full they will bounce messages back to the sender. RootsWeb unsubscribes such addresses after four messages bounce. So if list messages have stopped arriving use the form to subscribe again. Say why you are doing so in the message box. See Subscribing to the list for the instructions.

My messages don't appear

Check that you are sending messages intended for the list to the right address - SFHG@rootsweb.com. Also check that you are sending your message from the email address that is subscribed. Check what address you are subscribed as by looking at the Headers/Properties of the list messages you receive. Then follow the instructions in Sending messages to the list

Temporary absence

If you want to temporarily leave the list (eg while on holiday) you have to unsubscribe in the usual way and subscribe again when you want to rejoin the list. There is no automatic way to set up a temporary absence. On rejoining you can see the posts you missed.

Change from Digest to Mail mode

If you want to switch from Mail mode to Digest mode use the form and say in the message field that you wish to change mode.

Change from Mail to Digest mode

If you want to switch from Mail mode to Digest mode use the form and say in the message field that you wish to change mode.

Your message to ..... is awaiting administrator review

The message will be seen if you use an email address that is not currently subscribed to this list.
If you believe that the email address is correct check whether the message relates to the SFHG list. It can be seen if you 'Reply All' and the original post was sent to more than one list. If you did not intend to post to the list you can click on the link and cancel the post.

Post sent by a non-member to a members-only list

Does this message refer to the SFHG list? It can be seen if you 'Reply All' and the original post was sent to more than one list. If you did not intend to post to the list you can click on the link and cancel the post. 'non-member' means an email address was used that is not currently subscribed to this list.

Contacting the Listowner

To contact the Listowner if you need an old address unsubscribing or help with another list administration problem send your message to:
SFHG-admin@rootsweb.com
This will get to whoever is currently looking after the list, occasionally this will be a deputy rather than the usual Listowner. State what the problem is, giving your old address if applicable and which version of the list you are subscribed to. The Listowner will usually reply within 48 hours but please remember that we are all volunteers and other aspects of life may have to take priority.