On reading, then re-reading your message, I take it that you are referring to you subscription to genealogy.com, not the IOMFHS. I just want to clarify that, as they way the messages fell, it could, in haste be taken the reverse way. This is not meant as critisism of any of the subscribers to this thread, but merely as a question resulting an interesting fact regarding IOMFS membership.

There have been various alterations which have in the short term affected the internet side of the society, most noticeable with the BBs. My understanding is that the IOMFHS BB was just that, whereas Manx Genealogy was not IOMFHS. Many changes are taking place at the moment, online and off. I don't wish to sound carping of anybody who has worked on or produced these sites. They have been excellent, a fact born out by the fact that when something does go wrong, no matter how small or temporary, there is an uproar!

We still have an IOMFHS library at Peel, staffed by volunteers, who answer questions by post, advise, and do lookups, and they are due to be online. There are excellent resources at this library, and many a 'homecomer' or family researcher has been well looked after by local members.

Many local members, and some abroad, are involved in various activities in producing copies and transcriptions of various registers, and other sources.

For my own two pence worth, I would suggest a Bulletin Board for members only, encouraging what is a very reasonable priced subscription to be paid by more members. Plus a non-members site for contacts, or advice, but not free look-ups. Keep the freebies for the members.

There is a magazine four times a year.

Maybe this could serve as a subscription reminder to those members we have apparently lost, because of their reliance on the net.

Maybe these Bulletin Boards have been too good?