Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to replicating initial content in resource replication systems. In aspects, each member participating in a replica group obtains a content set state from a directory service. The content set state indicates whether the member is allowed to synchronize resources with another member participating in the replica group. If the member is designated as a primary member, the member may replicate out resources to its downstream partners. If a member is not designated as a primary member, the member may not replicate out resources to its downstream partners until it has successfully synchronized resources with an upstream partner. Fence values may be set which control which resources win (and are replicated out) during synchronization.