Dear Medwyn,

"August" is usually a female name, but anything goes today.    In the absence of other clues, what would be so impolite about just addressing the person as "Dear August"?   It may not be a formal greeting, but the very nature of 'it's' request seems to indicate formality isn't an issue - getting information IS.    I have the same problem with arriving inquiries from asian, african..... or even Welsh constitutents   :-)

Shirley Albright

Medwyn Parry wrote:
[log in to unmask]" type="cite">
Dear listpersons,
An email reached us this morning from the US, and the enquirers name is August, which is a name that is not so well known over here. Can anybody tell me if this person would be male or female - I wouldn't want to cause offence.
 
Medwyn Parry
Cangen Cyhoeddiadau ac Estyn-Allan
Publications and Outreach Branch
 
Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Cymru
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
Plas Crug
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion SY23 1NJ
Ffôn - Telephone: +44 (0)1970 621218
Ffacs - Fax: +44 (0)1970 627701
E-bost: [log in to unmask]
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Gwefan: www.cbhc.gov.uk
Website: www.rcahmw.gov.uk
Noddir gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru
Sponsored by Welsh Assembly Government
A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>

A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org. For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]

Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html

Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>