Thinking of Ancestors

RE:

It means:

Pronunciation: in-'rA, -'rE
Function: preposition
Etymology: Latin
: in the matter of : CONCERNING, RE -- often used in the title or name of a law case

(Source: Merriam-Webster)

Or, "in the matter of,"  "regarding,"  and very loosely defined "about."  Like, "about Carroll Bates" (if that was the subject).

     When you use Lists (Reply), or Message Boards (Post Reply), the subject line pops up with Re: at the beginning of the line.  AFTER Re: is where a subject already appears.  But, far too often, people erase the line, and the 're:'

      So I'm looking at message boards and I'm wondering, where did 'Re:'   go, because a good 80% of replies have no Re:    Actually, despite what subject is used on the first post, all replies are with Surname (only).  Like, the first post might say:

Carroll BATES, 1900-1979, Washington Co., PA - looking for children

And the replies in the thread look like this::

      Bates

         BATES

            Bates family

               Bates Bate

                     Ned

                          i got a bait

Sheesh!   This makes message boards confusing, besides the fact that no one can tell at at glance WHAT the post is about!  It should look like this, with the first post of:

Carroll BATES, 1900-1979, Washington Co., PA - looking for children

     re:Carroll BATES, 1900-1979, Washington Co., PA - Ned Bates

    re: Carroll BATES, 1900-1979, Washington Co., PA - George Bates

   re: Carroll BATES, 1900-1979, Washington Co., PA - looking for children

See?  leave most of the first part and just change (or add a descriptor) the last part so it describes your post.   Or leave the entire subject line 'as is' --- but please, leave the 're:' at the beginning, too!

Make it easier on everyone, use 'Re:' --  it is a friend to all posters!

And, do NOT just use a surname only as a subject line on ANY POST!  It makes your subject line useless -- frankly.  Other posters groan, mumble under their breath, and maybe curse to see surname-only subject lines!  You just don't know this because a poster cannot tell you about your post's failings or their post could be considered 'flaming.'  But, believe me, posters and administrators roll their eyes when they see surname, surname, surname, surname, surname, surname, surname, surname, surname, surname, surname, surname, in any thread.   Boring huh?  LOL.

~Lace

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