Queries  Queries used to be a basic tool all researchers needed to craft. Before the internet was available to the average person, queries were sent to newspapers, magazines, newsgroups, and mail lists.  Yes, email was around before the Internet! And newsgroups preceded mail lists and forums, although to the consumer, they work similarly. Much of the time we now work alone, or privately with cousins on our shared research. In my opinion, when we work only privately, something has been lost.  First, how to craft a successful query? And then, what to do with it?  A query is a question -- and more. A good query starts with  an excellent subject line or headline,  accurately and  concisely  describes the person or situation of interest, and ends with a call for action. You can see that in my mother's query, published 25 years ago in The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, pictured above. She stated what she knew and how to contact her with more information...