To Request Help

Making a Query:

Using the Index, go to the page representing the state or country where your ancestor lived.

Read through the items volunteers will search in that area.

If an item meets your query needs click on the accompanying address and write directly to that volunteer.

Put the word HELPLIST on the subject line or your request may not be acknowledged.

You may give the volunteer your mailing address also, in case you can't be reached by email.

Make your request for a lookup:

brief
specific
for information relating to the item listed

DO NOT:

send pages of information
request all references for a surname
write requests to the page maintainer or web master. We can't answer or forward requests. Queries sent to page maintainers will (most likely) not be acknowledged.

EXAMPLE of an appropriate request:
I am looking for the marriage record of John Doe in Oakland Co. Michigan on 17 Oct 1889.

IMPORTANT
You don't have to be a volunteer on the list to request help, but it is strongly recommended. Because the ratio of requests to volunteers is very large, volunteers are encouraged to limit requests from non-participants to one. This is necessary to encourage participation, which in turn will ease the burden on the volunteers. Most people can be of some help to others, even if you only list items in your local courthouse or library.

Receiving an Answer:

The volunteer will decide just what he or she is willing and able to do. Exactly what volunteers will do varys greatly, but in general, extensive research will not be done. Remember the volunteer is never obligated to do something for you.

You should receive an acknowledgment of your request within one week. If you do not receive an acknowledgment, please submit your request again as email is frequently lost by various means. If you try numerous times and receive no acknowledgment or get your request bounced numerous times please contact the maintainer of the page this volunteer appears on and let them know. They will investigate the problem and remove the person from their page if necessary.

Cost:

The items listed can usually be obtained for free, but you are expected to pay for any costs the volunteer has to spend directly on your behalf such as copy or postage costs. If there are such costs both parties should agree to them before they are incurred.

The participants are volunteers and are helping you for free. Volunteers are not allowed to charge for their time or make a profit in any way. If any try, bring it to the page maintainer's attention. The Helplist is not free advertising for profit-seeking researchers.

Last revised: 9 March 1998