• type in the surnames you are researching in the "Subject:" line so that they will be listed at the top of the results when someone does a search or is browsing through the pages. It helps to add the comune in Italy your ancestors came from if you know it.
• When responding to an existing message you can leave the Subject line blank and the BBS will automatically fill in "RE:" and whatever subject was posted or you can type in a subject you feel is more appropriate.
• Please do not use all CAPITAL LETTERS - in email and on message boards and newsgroups this indicates shouting and is very difficult to read. It is appropriate for SURNAMES only.
• For privacy considerations - we will edit or delete messages, which contain the current address and phone number of anyone who is still alive. Think of how you would feel if your address or any personal information was blatantly posted on a Web Page on the Internet without your knowledge or permission.
• Leaving a link to the Italian Phone Book is ok
• Old Public Records addresses and names such as those from Census records, as they are 75 years old or older, will "generally" not compromise someone’s security and are ok to post.
• Scroll down on the Message Board to Post a New Message or to view Message Threads.

Message Board Buttons (these are examples of the buttons you will find on the message board)

• =  this makes it easier to find the latest postings.  It only lists the latest postings, about a month, so you will still need to use the search feature or scroll through all the pages to find anyone who has posted your Italian Surname or comune of interest in the past 6 to 8 months.

• = this helps you find out if someone else has posted a message with your surname interest, your comune of interest, a genealogy topic of interest.
  • *FOR EXAMPLE* - if you search for the Surname PARI, the search engine will list Pari, and then Paris, Parish, etc. this method of display is very useful for people whose surnames have been changed after they emigrated from Italy because the search shows the variables. 

• Author: ______________________
• Email: ________________ [_] Show email address? (check the box if you want a hyperlink to your email otherwise your email will remain hidden from view)
• Subject: ___________________________________
• Message:(16 KB max.)
  •  It is not safe to show an email inside the body of the message itself. Email addresses blatantly displayed on webpages result in Spam. Our message board allows you to hide your email address to avoid this problem.
  • If you check the "show email address" it does not actually show the Email address but provides a hyperlink to it via an email client if someone clicks the name in the author heading.
  • If you post anonymously without an email address, you will not know if you receive a response and your post will most likely be removed *unless* I feel you are legit.   Your email will remain private unless you check the "show email" box   This provides a visible hyperlink to your email address using the name you put into the "Author" line, otherwise your email address is NOT openly displayed to the public.

If someone answers your message

• You will be sent an automatic link to a message board posting if anyone answers your message and if you have entered your email address, whether you keep it hidden or not..
• The link the computer sends you exists in hyperspace, so when you view it and click return to message list you will return to the message thread that contains your posting. 
• If you click the link at the top of the page that states "Back To - Message Board Start Page" you will return to the Homepage of the Italy Roots Forum Italian Genealogy Online Message Board.
  • If you look at the thread under the message, the article heading that does not show a (hyperlink) or a short summary is the message you are reading "if" you received an email prompt telling you of a response to your posting or if you are subscribed to the daily digest or if you are looking at a message via the "View Messages by Date Option".  
  • If you do not disable scripts and activeX in your browser you will have to scroll past the large ads in order to read the responses to messages in the threads.   The ads are how the server people pay for their large domain server and networking, which is why they can allow me to host my message board for "free."  So if you are interested in one of their ads click on it as it gives them about 12-cents per click.  Then use your browser back button to return to the message board.