FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Cyndi's List?
• General Facts about Cyndi's List
• How Links are Titled and Indexed
• How can I tell when Cyndi's List is updated?
• How much do you charge to use your web site?
• How many people work on your web site?
• How many hours a day do you work on the web site?
• May I set up a link to Cyndi's List?
• If You Encounter Problems on Cyndi's List
• Cyndi’s List Historical Timeline
• Press Releases

What is Cyndi's List?

• A categorized & cross-referenced index to genealogical resources on the Internet.
• A list of links that point you to genealogical research sites online.
• A free jumping-off point for you to use in your online research.
• A "card catalog" to the genealogical materials in the immense library that is the Internet.
• Your genealogical research portal onto the Internet.
• Make Cyndi's List Your Homepage!

General Facts about Cyndi's List

• Each month the Cyndi's List web site gets approximately 250,000 unique visitors and 970,000 pages visited with more than 31,760,000 successful page requests.
• On average I add 1,500 new links, update/correct 600 links, and delete 300 non-working links each month.
• There are more than 180 categories on the list, as well as individual pages for each US state, US county, Canadian province, and UK county.
• The list began with 1,025 links all listed on one page. The list is now contained on more than 650 individual pages.
• I receive more than 300 e-mail messages each day and manage to get through about 100 the same day. A lot of the e-mail I receive contains questions that can be answered by reading these FAQ pages first.
• I work on the list every day including weekends and holidays, the majority of my time being taken up by e-mail. I hope that these FAQ pages will help get you the answer you need more quickly.
• The links and category headings on my site are listed in alphabetical order. Web sites are listed by the title shown on the web site.
• In order to navigate the site, there are two different indexes to choose from, as well as a site search engine:
  • The Category Index
    Just a straight, alphabetical list of every category found on Cyndi's List.

How Links are Titled and Indexed

The links to web sites found on Cyndi's List are listed alphabetically by the TITLE shown on the web page, just as books are catalogued in a library. Why not by surname instead or the owner’s preference instead? Here are the answers:

HTML Facts

• The tag in the HTML code determines the officially-recognized title for a web page.
• The tag in the HTML code determines how bookmarks and favorites are named.
• The tag in the HTML code determines how search engine results will display.
• Therefore, whatever set of words you insert into the tag is what you have titled your web page.

Cyndi's List Policy

• I had to choose ONE standard categorization scheme that would make maintenance on the list consistent and easy to work with.
• Not all web pages include a surname in the title.
• Some web pages include a surname which isn't included in the research that is contained on that page. 
• There are many web sites which have multiple surnames listed in the title, so I have to make a decision on how to categorize pages like this.
• Categorizing the "Steve TAYLOR’s Home Page" under "T" for Taylor, doesn't necessarily allow for the fact that the site may also contain a tremendous amount of information for dozens of other surnames.
• My conclusion: With "Cyndi's List", I am attempting to perform the function of a genealogy librarian or card catalog indexer. There isn't any ONE way to categorize and list a web site except by the title of that page/site. Since the author of the site chose that as the name for their work, I will always use that as the title for the link and categorize the links alphabetically.
• A further conclusion: There isn't any ONE successful way to search the web for surnames or keywords of interest because the web is constantly growing, changing and evolving. You just have to find a method that works for you, keep track of the sites that you have visited and the dates you visited them. Re-visit sites and re-check search engines often.

How can I tell when Cyndi's List is updated?

There are currently four options:

• Check the What's New page each day for a list of links that are new or updated.
• Within the categories, each new or updated link will have a notation next to it which indicates its current status: New or Updated. The notation will remain there for a period of thirty days.
• The main category index is updated each time there is activity on Cyndi's List. Check the date under each category heading to determine when the last update was made for that category. The date is also updated at the bottom of each category page.
• Subscribe to the CyndisList Mailing List. This is a free, announcements-only e-mail mailing list for regular users of the site to learn about updates and news regarding the web site.

How much do you charge to use your web site?

You pay no fee for using Cyndi's List. It is a free service and an effort on my part to give back to the genealogical community. Donations are always welcome. Please use this list as your own jumping-off point for your online research each day. Be sure to make Cyndi's List your homepage. Then, the next time you start your web browser, you'll go directly to Cyndi's List.

How many people work on your web site?

Cyndi's List is maintained from my home in Edgewood, Washington. It is not run by a large company or by a large staff of people. In the beginning, from 1996 to 1999, I was the only person keeping track of all these links and keeping the site current. From November 1999 through October 2007 my sister-in-law joined me, working part-time updating and fixing broken links. From time to time I had help from others here and there. Some helped me with specific categories and some with special projects. As of October 2007 I was once again alone in maintaining the site. Starting in February 2011 my son, Evan, started to help me with special projects.

I had technical support and help from a variety of sources over the years: a programmer from Sierra Online (previously the sponsor of my site), hosting and upkeep at RootsWeb, a move to a new server with help from Jeri Steele, and the latest upgrade and redevelopment work being done by fusionSpan.

Other than that, I am the sole owner, creator and caretaker of Cyndi's List. I am not a big company or a corporation. I am not a "Dear Ladies & Gentleman" or a "To Whom It May Concern". "Dear Cyndi" would be just great!

How many hours a day do you work on the web site?

In the beginning, I worked on the site for about 2 hours each day. By August of 1996 the site took on a life of its own and from that point forward I have worked on the site full time - 8 to 12 hours each day, 7 days a week. This can be tough with my other obligations and family responsibilities. For a while I had a part-time helper on the site. However, now I am just a one-woman show.

May I set up a link to Cyndi's List?

Yes, certainly! Thank you very much for doing so. Please be sure to see: Create a Link to Cyndi's List. This web page has pre-written HTML code for you to copy and paste into your own web page, as well as various graphics you can copy and use with the link.

If You Encounter Problems on Cyndi's List

Cyndi’s List Historical Timeline

• Will you add a link to my web site?
• How to Submit a New Link to Cyndi's List
• Why haven't you added my link to your list yet?
• Browse New Links

Will you add a link to my web site in your index?

I would be happy to add a link to your site. Just visit this page on my site: Submit a New Link to Cyndi's List. As soon as I get a chance I will add a link in each appropriate category on my site. I'm currently quite behind with requests for links, so please be patient with me and please don't send me multiple requests. I am doing everything I can to catch up with all my incoming e-mail. I cannot guarantee a specific timeframe in which I will get to your request. Please also see the Disclaimers page.

How to Submit a New Link to Cyndi's List

If you know of a web site that isn't yet included on Cyndi's List, please make note of the address and send it to me via this page: Submit a New Link to Cyndi's List

• Before submitting a new link, please check the category pages on Cyndi's List to verify that I don't already have a link set up for the site you wish to submit.
• Use the site's search engine to check for links already categorized and included on the site.
• New links will be reviewed, the titles and descriptions will be edited, and categorization will be determined.
• New links are added to the individual category pages on Cyndi's List as I have time to visit, verify and examine each web site.
• I will visit each site to verify that the address is correct.
• I will use the title exactly as it is shown on the web site.
• I will determine the categories under which the links will be set up.
• I cannot guarantee that a link will be categorized within any specific timeframe.
• Please do not submit a new link more than once.
• Please do not submit a new link repetitively because you think I may have lost your original request.
• Please remember that I am working on this by myself. My priority each day is to work on problems relating to the site and broken links first, followed by the addition of new links. I'm doing everything I can to catch up with all requests, so hang in there!
• Please keep in mind that these pages are here to help me control the large amounts of incoming e-mail I am receiving. I appreciate your time and attention to these guidelines.
• I add approximately 1,500 new links each month.
• I intend to add categorized links for all genealogical resources that I find on the Internet.
• Links will be added at my discretion.
• There is no fee for submitting a site to be included on Cyndi's List.
• Please also see the Disclaimers page.

Why haven't you added my link to your list yet?

The short answer: I’m one woman and I’m doing my best. The workload on Cyndi's List increased dramatically in August 1996, with the majority of my time being spent on e-mail. Since that time the size of the web site and its popularity has grown exponentially, paralleling the growth and popularity of the Internet and genealogy itself. The amount of e-mail and requests I receive has grown immensely. I now have more than 10,000 link requests to work through. I manage to get through about most e-mail messages each day, but I receive more than 200 each day. I do my best to keep up and manage to add 1,500 new links each month. I have received a lot of duplicate requests which take time for me to investigate as well.

If I haven't set up a link to your site yet, please don't send another request. I promise that I will get to your request as soon as humanly possible. Please remember that I am working on this by myself. My priority each day is to work on problems relating to the site and broken links first, followed by the addition of new links. I'm doing everything I can to catch up with all requests, so hang in there!

• How to Update an Existing Link on Cyndi's List
• How to Report a Broken Link Found on Cyndi's List

How to Update an Existing Link on Cyndi's List

If you have a new address for a web site already linked on Cyndi's List, or if you have an updated description or information to accompany a link, please use Update a Link in the left column on each page.

• A new copy of the category page will be generated, including a broken link graphic next to each link. The broken link graphic looks like this:
• Click on the broken link graphic next to the link that you would like to have updated.
• On the next page, enter the updated information (new address if known, your e-mail address, updated description, etc.) and click the update button.
• The updated information for the link will be reported to me and I will take care of it as soon as possible.

How to Report a Broken Link Found on Cyndi's List

If you find a link on Cyndi's List that isn't working, please use the link in the left column on each page titled: Report a Broken Link.

• A new copy of the category page will be generated, including a broken link graphic next to each link. The broken link graphic looks like this:
• Click on the broken link graphic next to the link that you would like to have updated.
• On the next page, enter the updated information (new address if known, your e-mail address, updated description, etc.) and click the update button.
• The updated information for the link will be reported to me and I will take care of it as soon as possible.
• Please do NOT report problems that you have with web sites that do not belong to me. If you are unsure, check the URL (address) for the site. If it doesn't contain http://www.CyndisList.com, then it doesn't belong to me.

• Helping Cyndi with Cyndi's List
• Create a Link to Cyndi’s List
• Support Us
• Why Donate to Cyndi’s List

Helping Cyndi with Cyndi's List

I receive a lot of very nice e-mail from my friends online with offers of help and support. I appreciate these offers more than you can know. The work on the site is an ongoing, ever-growing task, so I have a very large "to do" list on my desk. There are many ways that you can help me with the site on a daily basis. The following is a list of administrative items that I deal with each day:

• Report broken links to me as you find them. Correcting broken links is my first priority each day.
• As you visit other genealogy web sites, please take a minute to check for links they may have to Cyndi's List.
  • Is the address for the link current and pointing to the current http://www.CyndisList.com URL?
  • If the link points to an old address at http://www.oz.net/~cyndihow, please take time to write to the web site owner and ask them to update their link with the new address.
  • If they do not have a link to Cyndi's List, please ask them to consider adding one to their site. Please point them to this page: Create a Link to Cyndi's List.
• Recommend Cyndi's List and specific category pages from Cyndi's List on Facebook, blogs, mailing lists, message boards or in chat rooms during conversations about genealogical research.
• Report any problems or oddities you find on the site, including spelling errors, inaccessibility issues, layout or spacing problems, etc.
• Visit one of your favorite category pages on Cyndi's List and determine where it might be falling short. For example, if it is lacking in library links, please submit new addresses for library web sites to which I can set up links.

• Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/CyndisList
• Twitter, http://twitter.com/CyndisList
• Google+, https://plus.google.com/107399342052902753109/posts
• Blog, http://cyndislist.blogspot.com/
• Daily Mailing List

• Do you know if there is a web site for. . . ?
• I know you're busy, but. . .
• E-mail messages that I will not be able to answer
• Contact Us

Do you know if there is a web site for. . . ?

The answer to this question can also be found in several of the other responses in these FAQ pages. I really, REALLY do not have any extra time to help people find sites for a specific topic. The reason I started Cyndi's List was to make it easier for people to find genealogical resources online. Please look through the index and familiarize yourself with each of the categories in order to determine where you might find a specific topic or link. I'm adding new links to the site as quickly as I can. I categorize them appropriately and I cross-reference the links in more than one category whenever possible. This categorization and cross-referencing should aid you in finding a link to a specific type of site. I'd like everyone to think of Cyndi's List as a personal research tool that can be used every day. Learn to use Cyndi's List just as you would learn how to use a library's catalog or the computer system at your local LDS Family History Center. If you don't find the link on my site, then that resource either doesn't exist online (yet) OR I haven't yet set up a link to it. If you know of a web site that isn't found linked on my site, please feel free to submit a new link and I will be sure it add it to the list.

I know you're busy, but. . .

I'm sorry folks, but there is no way I can answer any e-mail other than messages in regard to my web site, my books, my mailing lists or my speaking engagements. I would love to be able to help others as I have done in the past, but I just do not have the time to answer personal research questions or to give opinions on the design of other web sites. When I say that I am too busy, I really do mean that. I work on my web site full time already, as well as care for my son. There just aren't enough hours in the day anymore! I appreciate your understanding. For personal research help see the Beginners or How To category on this site.

E-mail messages that I will not be able to answer

I would love to be able to reply to all of the e-mail I receive. I really do enjoy meeting new friends and chatting online with them. I also believe in being polite and responding to all of the e-mail that I receive. I set up auto-reply messages so that people will at least know that I have received their message. I have done my best over the years to reply to my incoming e-mail and to keep up with everyone. However, realistically, it just is not physically possible for me to do this. I'd rather spend my time updating the web site, adding new links, and correcting broken links. My time is better spent on this than on composing e-mail replies to questions that can be answered via the FAQ pages on the site.

There are now several automated processes in place on this web site to help me deal with my e-mail. Therefore, I am formally letting everyone know that there are specific types of messages that I will not answer personally from this point forward:

• Requests for personal research help, advice, tips or guidance. (See the How To page instead)
• Requests for help to find specific web sites or links within Cyndi's List. (See the FAQ - Do you know if there is a web site for...? page instead)
• Questions about me or about the web site. (See the FAQ page instead)
• Questions about computers: how to use computers, how to use software, etc.
• Messages that don't actually contain a question.

• May I use your web site graphics on my own site?
• I would like to duplicate your web site and print a copy to share with my friends/library/FHC/society, etc. May I do this?
• Can I make copies of your pages for a class that I am teaching?

May I use your web site graphics on my own site?

I'm sorry, but the answer is no. These graphics were designed for and/or by me for use on my web site to coordinate with the entire theme of my pages. The graphics are under copyright, registered with the U.S. Copyright Office in the Library of Congress. There are several wonderful sites online which have genealogy-oriented graphics.

I would like to duplicate your web site and print a copy to share with my friends/library/FHC/society, etc. May I do this?

Please do not make any copies of my web site for this purpose. There are several reasons for this. First, my entire web site is under copyright, registered with the United States Copyright Office in the Library of Congress, Washington D.C. You must obtain permission from me before making any copies of the site. Second, my site is currently made up of more than 650 individual web pages, which would print out onto thousands of pieces of paper. Therefore, this isn't the most practical thing to do. Instead, share the addresses for various pages within Cyndi’s List so that people can visit the web site themselves.

Can I make copies of your pages for a class that I am teaching?

Please e-mail me with your request: [email protected]. I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Be sure to let me know the following:

• What is the nature of your class or presentation?
• What is the name of your society or group for which the class is being held?
• How many copies do you anticipate making?
• Any other details pertaining to the use of the photocopies that you think I should know.

• For Those New To Genealogy Research
• Can you help me with my own research?
• Where can I post my surnames and queries on Cyndi’s List?

For Those New To Genealogy Research

• Visit the Beginners category on Cyndi's List.
• Invest in a good beginner’s book.
• Visit the How To category on Cyndi's List.
• Visit the How To: Tutorials & Guides category on Cyndi's List.
• Attend classes, seminars or meetings held by your local genealogical society.
• Visit the Educational (Genealogical) category on Cyndi’s List.
• Be sure to visit your local LDS Family History Center. You can find them via this link or listed in the yellow pages under Churches. The volunteers there are wonderful and will point you in the right direction.

Can you help me with my own research?

Genealogy has always been a hobby for me as I have worked on my own personal research. While I have the experience and knowledge, I do not provide professional research services for other people. I can't answer any personal research questions via e-mail because I just do not have the time it takes to help with these types of questions. Work on this web site is my priority and it is my way of helping you with your research. See the Beginners or How To categories on my site as well as any of these categories in order to get yourself headed in the right direction: Mailing Lists, Professional Researchers and Queries & Message Boards.

Where can I post my surnames and queries on Cyndi’s List?

I don't have a place for posting surnames or queries on my site. There are already numerous other sites online on which people can post their surnames and queries. It isn't necessary for me to duplicate that type of resource here, particularly since the purpose of my site is to be an index of links to other genealogy resources on the Internet.

• Copyright
• Disclaimers
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Statement

Privacy Statement

Cyndi has created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate her firm commitment to privacy. The following discloses the information gathering and dissemination practices for this web site:

• Cyndi's List uses your IP address to help diagnose problems with the server, and to administer the web site.
• Cyndi's List contains links to other sites. Cyndi is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such web sites.
• The e-mail addresses of those who communicate with Cyndi via e-mail will not be shared with other organizations for commercial purposes.

• 6 June 2011 - Cyndi's List Launches a new Web Site