I know you probably have but have you joined the genealogy

[Bitwit1234]

lists at rootsweb. They have surname lists and regional lists. And they also have message boards.

[sybylla]

1. Yeah, about a dozen of them

Only a couple of them are very active. Most of them have been very helpful - especially the German regional lists. There are a load of experienced people out there eager to help.

I have one recommendation, however - sign up in digest mode. You're inbox will get bombarded in a hurry if you sign on to a busy list in regular mode.

One of my biggest lists is still a problem in digest mode. They will still send 5-8 "digests" a day - some with half a dozen posts some with only one or two. I find it a bit frustrating but haven't had the energy to complain to the admin.

[Bitwit1234]

2. I don't like the digest as much

It seems to miss a lot of the good stuff. If the message is not relative I just delete it. But I have gotten a lot of tips and the people are really helpful. They even check at the courthouse for you, when they are visiting for themselves.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. I've used them ever since they started

and they can be very handy. I still get replies years after a post.