I don't know for sure, although you might try emailing Jim Robinson or the webmaster. (I think it's
webmaster@freerepublic.com, but not sure.) My profile shows I've been a member since 1999, but actually I first signed up in 1997. There have been a couple of times in the past when, due to software problems, member registrations would be wiped out and you'd have to re-register. The hit counter disappeared during one of the site upgrades. Don't know why, unless it was just too difficult to tack one on to each article that was posted as the site grew. At least that makes sense to me.