County of Surrey, England Genealogy Mailing List hosted by Rootsweb

Contents

• Purpose? - Discussion of genealogy and local history

• What area does it cover? - The County of Surrey in England

• Some details of other lists with Surrey content - London, Sussex-Plus

• Our list neighbours - Middlesex, London, Kent, Sussex-Plus, Hampshire, Berkshire

• Welcome notes and general information about the Surrey List
  General information
  Subscribing, Unsubscribing, Changing Modes, Holidays and the List Archives
  Rules and Guidelines
  Sending messages to the list and replying
  Netiquette

• Virus warnings - Viruses and how to avoid them

Where can I find out more about Genealogical Resources for Surrey? Some essential links for you to add to your bookmarks or favourites:

GENUKI Genealogy information pages for Surrey , London , Middlesex
Sussex-Plus Website
Family history societies for West Surrey , East Surrey and the Epsom Family History Group

The list owner is please email her if you have any questions about the Surrey list or if you are having trouble subscribing.

Purpose of the Surrey Mailing List

To encourage discussion and contact between all those with an interest in the genealogy and local history of the County of Surrey, England.

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What area does the list cover?

This list covers the whole of the County of Surrey, including the Metropolitan Boroughs in the east.

You may also be interested in Regional lists with Surrey content and those for neighbouring counties (see below).

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Other mailing lists with Surrey Content

If you are not sure where your ancestors came from or they were mobile, you may wish to consider subscribing to a wider area list:

The London list covers the County of Middlesex and The City of London (The City is a small district - the oldest, central part of Greater London). There are sometimes discussions related to the metropolitan parts of Surrey and Kent, You should subscribe to the London list first if you know that your ancestors came from London but are not sure where.

The Sussex Plus List is a regional list covering the Counties of Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. If your ancestors were mobile or they lived on the border between two counties this is the list for you.

Both these lists are friendly, active lists and discussions extend to local history as well as genealogy. To subscribe to these and other UK lists follow this link

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Neighbouring Lists

The rootsweb lists which border Surrey are (clockwise starting from the North):

Middlesex, London, Kent, SussexPlus, Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire

 

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Welcome notes and general information about the Surrey mailing list

This is a copy of the welcome notes that are received by subscribers when joining the list

WELCOME! You have been added to the subscriber list
of the SURREY GENEALOGY & LOCAL HISTORY List
Please READ this message, PRINT it, SAVE it

These welcome notes will help you get the most out of the Surrey List and include a few rules and guidelines which help us with the smooth running of the list.

First, for your message to go to everyone on the list send it to ENG-SURREY-L@ROOTSWEB.COM Don't send it to the subscribe address, because nobody will see it (except me)! Now, before you send your first message to the list, please take some time to read this one!

~~~ GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SURREY LIST ~~~

WHO IS THE LIST OWNER?
The list owner is Ann Sargeant who lives in England
The Surrey List homepage is at http://www.melcombe.freeserve.co.uk/surrey/intro.htm

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS LIST?
The Surrey List provides a discussion forum for anyone who has an interest in the genealogy and local history of the County of Surrey. The Surrey list is for mutual help in the exchange of information and knowledge. This includes advice on the use of genealogical source material, where to find it and offers to search it. It is not a look up exchange, and if people do offer look ups, they do so out of their personal good will. Please remember to thank off-list anyone who is kind enough to send you advice or information.

CAN MESSAGES BE SENT TO THE LIST IF I HAVE NOT BEEN SUBSCRIBED?
The short answer is NO!. This is to protect you from spam, nuisances etc. However, the list is not moderated. Any message sent to it is automatically distributed to everyone on the list.

THE LIST IS QUIET - I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY MESSAGES FOR 24 HOURS
If you find that you have not received a message via the list for 24 hours, you may have been unsubscribed. The Rootsweb list computer will automatically unsubscribe you after a certain number of messages have bounced from your email address. If you think this has happened to you, then just subscribe again.

~~~ SUBCRIBING, UNSUBSCRIBING, CHANGING MODES, HOLIDAYS, ARCHIVES ~~~

IMPORTANT - Subscribing and unsubscribing is done automatically by a fairly stupid computer. Your subscribe or unsubscribe request may fail if you do not follow the instructions exactly.

I'M GOING ON HOLIDAY - SHOULD I UNSUBSCRIBE?
If you are going to be away for a while, and will not be able to download mail, then you are advised to UNSUBSCRIBE from the list before you go, and SUBSCRIBE again when you return. On your return you may wish to catch up on messages by searching the list archive

HOW CAN I SEARCH OR BROWSE THE SURREY LIST ARCHIVES
The messages sent to this mailing list are held in an archive which dates back the start of the Surrey List in March 1999.
To browse the ENG-SURREY archives
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/ENG-SURREY-L/
To search the ENG-SURREY archives
http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl?list=ENG-SURREY

~~~ A FEW RULES AND GUIDELINES ~~~

TOLERANCE
Be tolerant and helpful towards those who are new to computers and genealogy - we were all beginners once.

STAY ON TOPIC
Please do not send off-topic messages to the list. Offenders will be sent a gentle reminder to stay on topic. Persistent offenders are liable to have all their email to the list moderated.

CAN I INCLUDE DETAILS OF LIVING PERSONS?
No! Do not post any personal information of living persons on the list (e.g. address, telephone number) even if that information is in the public domain. The Surrey List is for genealogy; it is not a missing persons agency!

CAN I FORWARD MESSAGES TO OTHER LISTS?
Yes, but the messages on the Surrey List belong to the person who posted them. Do not forward them to another list without the prior consent of the author.

DISCIPLINE
While I in no way want to stifle free discussion, as list owner I will act swiftly if a "flame war" (argument) erupts or if someone behaves badly. Anyone causing upset to other subscribers will be UNSUBSCRIBED WITHOUT WARNING.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I FIND A LIST MESSAGE OR REPLY TO BE OFFENSIVE OR HAVE ANY OTHER COMPLAINT?
Please contact OFFLIST - Under no circumstances should you send a complaint to the list address. Complaints will be dealt with swiftly and quietly behind the scenes. This includes complaints about postings made to the list and replies received off-list, including spam, abuse, flaming etc.

CAN PROFESSIONAL RESEARCHERS SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIST?
Yes, but PLEASE note that our list is provided on the understanding that it will not be used for financial gain. Professionals who have genuine family interests in the area are most welcome to join us, but they must on NO ACCOUNT use the list as a means of touting for business, advertising, or obtaining information from other subscribers to further their own ends. However, a URL for your website may be included in your signature. Anyone misusing the list for personal financial gain will be UNSUBSCRIBED WITHOUT WARNING. If you are offering a non-profit service, please consult with me before posting details to the list to avoid any misunderstandings.

~~~ SENDING MESSAGES TO THE LIST AND REPLYING ~~~

HOW DO I POST A MESSAGE?
To post a message to the list, send it to ENG-SURREY-L@ROOTSWEB.COM

WHAT TOPICS CAN I DISCUSS IN THE MESSAGES I SEND TO THE LIST?
Please restrict the content of your messages to Surrey local and family history or to questions of a national genealogical/historical interest e.g. repositories, sources. It is OK to recommend societies, books and websites. PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC

WHAT IS OFF TOPIC? - PERSONAL MAIL, CHATTING ETC
Personal chat and thank-yous, rhymes, ditties, songs, recipes, festive greetings, blanket requests for one-name studies, virus warnings or chain letters are all off-topic for the Surrey List. If you have a personal message for the sender, please send it to their email address, NOT the list address. Please do not post off-topic messages to the list.

WHAT SHOULD I TYPE IN THE SUBJECT LINE?
Send messages with a clear subject line (e.g. the surname or parish, topic and dates that you are researching):

Charles BURRIDGE born c1800 in HAM
Sarah CATCH born c1700 SURREY
Sawyers and Bricklayers of HAM, c1760
Thames Watermen 1660-1730
Farnham Parish Registers before 1600?

WHAT SHOULD I PUT IN MY MESSAGE?
Include as much useful information as you can in your message (e.g. dates, parishes, forenames and maiden names). Use short paragraphs. Use CAPITALS for surnames. Say what sources you have already consulted (e.g. 1851 census). Please do not relate your whole family history - just give a few brief details so that anyone reading the message who may share your interests can contact you.

AM I RESTRICTED TO THE SIZE OF MESSAGE I CAN SEND?
Individual messages on the Surrey List are restricted a maximum of 10kBytes (just over half the size of this one). Also, your message is far more likely to be read if it is brief.

SHOULD REPLIES BE SENT VIA THE LIST OR PRIVATELY TO THE ORIGINATOR?
If you feel it would benefit other list subscribers then please send your answer via the list. Reply to the sender if someone offers lookups etc. Also reply to sender if you are providing a lookup in the 1881 census CD. Please don't post simple thanks or personal chat to the list. Reply to the list in most other cases (e.g. information on sources, books, particular towns/villages etc). If you receive replies off-list that are of general interest, then consider sending a concise summary to the list as a follow-up to your original message.

To reply to the sender only - click REPLY
To reply to the list - click REPLY ALL

Replies to the list are available in the list archives and can be linked to the original question.

REPLIES TO AN OFFER OF LOOK UPS
If someone offers a look up service in a particular parish or source, please respond sensibly. Just ask OFF-LIST for one name and place per look up. Don't ask for blanket or one-name study searches, and don't ask if you have no connection with the particular parish or time frame. Remember these people are volunteers and trying to do everyone a favour!

WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE IN THE SIGNATURE AT THE END OF MY MESSAGES?
Use your real names, indicate your location (i.e. county, state, country) and include your email and web addresses. Avoid lengthy surname interests, especially if they are not relevant to Surrey.

CAN I SEND FILE ATTACHMENTS AND HTML?
No! These are automatically rejected by Rootsweb - check the options on your email software, and ensure that "HTML" or "RichText" option is switched OFF and that messages are sent in "plain/text" format ONLY. If you are unsure whether the settings on your mail reader are correct, send me a trial message.

~~~ NETIQUETTE ~~~

CAPITALS - Please do not write your emails in CAPITAL LETTERS - this is regarded as "shouting". Do not complain if someone writes in capitals. If it offends you then just delete it. Bear in mind that a person with failing eyesight may need to use capitals

QUOTING AND SNIPPING - When replying on or off the list, please include sufficient of the original message to ensure that it makes sense. Also, snip (delete) any of the message that isn't required - previous replies etc.

CROSS-POSTING QUERIES - Don't send the same questions to multiple lists at the same time (cross-posting). For someone on many lists, it is irritating to receive multiple copies of the same message. For someone on a single list, there is no way of knowing if a question has already been answered on another list.

Virus warnings - Viruses and how to avoid them

Disclaimer - the advice in this page is given in good faith. I will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Please let me know if you find any!!

Surrey List Policy on Virus Warnings

What is a virus? A virus is a small program which replicates by incorporating itself into other files on a computer. A worm can replicate itself by attaching copies to other programs. These can damage your computer operating system and files. A trojan (horse) can be dropped into your computer system by a virus or worm and can then exert control of your system or allow a remote (third party) to access your computer. All of these can be propagated by emails without the knowledge of the user. New viruses are found regularly and add to the total number in circulation.

Never post virus warnings directly to the list - If you are really concerned about a computer virus, email privately.

Virus hoaxes and chain letters - You may sometimes receive virus warnings or chain letters by email. The majority of these warnings are hoaxes (even if they do appear to come from a reliable source) and can cause a lot of unnecessary alarm. Check the following web sites to find out if a warning is genuine:
http://www.vmyths.com/
http://www.stanford.edu/group/partners/hoaxes.shtml
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/

If you are sent a virus by a Surrey List subscriber - Be tactful & sympathetic - it is rare that a virus is sent maliciously - the sender will usually be unaware that a virus has been sent from their address. Inform the sender and let me know too. Don't post a warning on the list. The sender's address will sometimes be hidden, but this can sometimes be found by inspecting the message properties or header.

If the worst happens - Don't panic! If you are a subscriber to the Surrey List and your are unfortunate enough to be infected by a computer virus - let me know straight away. I will be sympathetic and will offer what advice I can (but I am not an expert!).

If a virus appears to be a specific threat to Surrey List subscribers I will post a special warning on-list. I will not post warnings unless they are relevant to the Surrey List.

Advice to avoid the spread of computer viruses

This section contains information for listers who may be worried about receiving computer viruses. Some basic advice, prevention rather than cure, is provided below.

How are viruses spread? - You may receive a virus by means of an email carrying an "attachment". Some can be carried within HTML (richtext) formatted messages and won't necessarily appear as an attachment. In Outlook Express and other email software, an attachment file is indicated by a paperclip symbol (or by the attachment filename appearing in the message window). The message size will be larger than usual. The virus can be activated by opening or running the attachment, although some viruses can be activated simply by viewing or opening the message. If the attachment runs, you will risk infecting your computer. Once this happens the virus may be transmitted from your computer to other internet users. This can happen without you noticing. This is why you should keep your anti-virus software and security patches up-to-date. See below for advice and links.

Rootsweb list email cannot carry a virus - Viruses cannot be spread via rootsweb lists. This is because there are three safeguards - no attachments, no HTML and the message size limitation. There is a statement by rootsweb on this topic at: http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/virus.html

How will I know if my computer is infected with a virus? - You might notice something odd after running an email attachment. Viruses sometimes introduce themselves with a flourish - a strange error message, a screen display etc. Your computer may malfunction. Some viruses don't activate immediately, and spring into action a long time after the infection. You might not notice anything. If the virus attaches itself to an email, you may be advised by another person that your computer has a virus.

What you must do

Anti-virus protection is YOUR responsibility. - It is the duty of every internet user to have adequate anti-virus protection. Before you use this mailing list you must do ALL these things:

FIRST: Install effective anti-virus software - There are many anti-virus software packages to choose from. Some are free. If you are a buying a new computer, make sure that it has anti-virus software installed. The first thing you must do when you go on-line is to register your anti-virus software with the vendor. While you are at the vendor's website, you must update the virus library information. Run your anti-virus software according to the vendor's recommendations for maximum effectivess. You may wish to install and run a personal firewall, which may offer protection against the effects of trojans:
http://www.zonelabs.com/

SECOND: You must keep your virus library information up-to-date. - New viruses are found regularly and add to the total number in circulation. This means that you should check at least once a week for updates to the virus library provided by the vendor of your anti-virus software. There will usually be an annual fee for updates, although some provide this service for free. I will aim to alert the list to new virus threats so that updates can be obtained.

Top viruses - Newest viruses - Top hoaxes

Detailed information on anti-virus software, updates to virus libraries and advice on current virus threats is provided by the suppliers of anti-virus software:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/ - Norton Antivirus
http://www.mcafee.com/ - McAfee VirusScan
http://www.sophos.co.uk/ - Sophos Sweep - I use this!
http://www.datafellows.com/ - F-Secure
http://www.grisoft.com/ - effective and free
http://www.drsolomon.com/ - includes Dr Solomons for Mac
http://www.antivirus.cai.com/ - used to be free

Comparisons - http://www.virusbtn.com/100/
Reviews - http://www.cnet.com/ (do a keyword search on virus)

If you need help on selecting affordable anti-virus software, then subscribe to this rootsweb list:
http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Internet_Help/VIRUS-DISCUSSION.html

THIRD: Security Patches - Download the latest security patches from Microsoft (if applicable). One way of doing this is to open Internet Explorer, then go to the Tools > Windows Update menu. Select and run the critical updates. Some of you may choose to use a different email reader (e.g. Eudora, Pegasus) or a different operating system (e.g. Linux).

FINALLY: Be careful with ATTACHMENTS - Don't SEND attachments to individuals without asking or warning them first. Ask what format they prefer. (Word, plain text, etc). Don't OPEN or READ email attachments without checking with the sender that the message is genuine. Even if it someone you know. Some viruses can be activated simply by viewing or opening the message. So keep your anti-virus software and security patches up-to-date.

If the worst happens - If your computer is infected by a computer virus. Don't Panic! Let know privately.

Finally - Remember that viruses cannot be spread via rootsweb lists. Check all private emails.  Please be vigilant and watch out for computer viruses.

Last Updated on 02 Mar 2003

The list owner is - please email her if you have any questions about the Surrey list or if you are having trouble subscribing.