Out of curiosity, you've just attended your first genealogy seminar and came away all fired up, eager to get started.  You've already patiently filled out pedigree charts and family group forms, have asked your oldest and closest living relatives for information.  Now you want to know how you get in contact with others searching your family surnames.  What lineages do you choose to begin work on?  How do you choose whom to query?

Whom Do I Query?

     The most logical and sensible advice is, choose to work on your direct lines first.  Aunt Mary may have been your favorite, but you really don't know that much about her husband's family and might get yourself in a mess!  Many people have a fascination for their patriarchal line, the surname they were given at birth.  You may find, however, that one particular set of grandparents or greatgrandparents captures your interest.  Until you know the basics of genealogy research, keep your research simple - don't go too far afield! Choose one or two lines at most to research When you've become more knowledgeable, then you can search out interrelated family surnames, surname-sounding given names and surnames of your ancestor's neighbors, etc.

To Whom Do I Send Queries To?

     After writing and/or phoning your extended family, asking for information, keep the following in mind when developing your research strategies:
     If you have an unusual surname, such as PULIAFICO, write to all others who search for that name.  If you have a fairly uncommon surname, such as SPRINGSTEEL, concentrate your search on other submitter's queries that come from the same locality as your people do.  Narrowing down  your search in this way will give you better odds for getting an answer. If your surname is very common, such as KING or BAKER, do not write outside of your immediate research area.  I guarantee, you won't get a response.  (If by some miracle you do, the news will most likely be disappointing!)

Where Do I Look for Others Researching My Surnames?

     There are a lot of good websites to submit queries/pedigree charts to these days.  In my opinion, the following hold the greatest chance of success:
1)  GenForum.com   (queries)
2)  Rootsweb.com    (queries)
3)  Everton.com        (queries)
4)  Ancestry.com      (queries)
5)  Familysearch.org   (pedigree charts) 
6)  FamilyTreeMaker.com  (pedigree charts)
     
     Though it is a temptation in the extreme to do all your research online, the more experienced genealogists know that this is not the best policy.  For one thing, there are still a ton of records deposited in historical societies that are untouched.  For another, the older generation ('seasoned citizens') who will not get chummy with a computer may have just what you need in your research quest!  Putting a query in a newsletter, such as The Genealogical Helper, would be a wise idea.  

What Do I Say?

     Generally speaking, simply give the basics of one nuclear family: birth, marriage, death dates and places if your have them and who their children were.  Be specific: what exactly do you want to know about them?  Put all surnames in CAPITAL letters.  This helps avoid possible confusion when surnames sound like given names.  Write short sentences!  Be as concise and 'tight' as you can without leaving out essential information.  Study queries written by others.  Which writer makes sense and which is confusing?  What's the difference in their writing style?
     One last hint: when recording a couple's 14 children (for example) it's hardly necessary to write out each of their full names and full birth dates!  In most cases, give only the first name (possibly the middle initial if the  family surname is very common) and the birth year.  If a potential inquirer is interested, he'll respond based on the brief information given in your query.

In Summary

   In these days of email, you needn't worry about including a self-addressed stamped envelope as was the courtesy when sending a snail mail letter!  However, if you do write by snail mail, it's good idea to include both an SASE and a copy of your pedigree chart which holds the ancestor about whom you are querying. There's no guarantee how quickly you'll receive a response, but you are all the more likely to if your letter is short and to-the-point.  

Good Luck!