Find Ancestors

So, I guess this is really an area Natasha needs to find time (among her other tasks) to concentrate on. I'm not the only one thinking this way - and Jonsey, you are far more articulate than me!

Welcome, Natasha.

Can you please do something to stop people reporting posts when it is obvious to everyone that a genuine mistake has been made and the poster has accidentally posted twice.

It must be very disconcerting for a new member to find their posts have apparently disappeared when they cannot understand what they have done wrong.

I can see a reason for anyone to have the capability to report a post when they think it makes public any information that should be kept private. But I also think that their names should show. If they had a genuine reason to rr a post then they should declare themselves, not hide behind anonymity.

Natasha,

Here is a job for you to add to your "To Do" list

There has recently been yet another spate of posts being RRed without good cause. It is my belief that one of the reasons that this happens is that those referring the posts are able to use the shield of anonymity from those whose post they are referring. I would suggest that withdrawing that shield would considerably reduce the number of frivolous or malicious referrals. Either notify the person whose post has been referred, of by whom and for what reason, their post has been referred or alternatively, publish in the thread itself, the referrers name and the reason they have given as to why they have referred the post that has been removed.

A system that allows anyone logged on to your site, whether a fully paid up or a "Free/lapsed" member, to indiscriminately refer posts for review, whether or not the post breeches the site's Terms and conditions, obviously requires radical change. It is a bit like allowing everybody to vote in a general election whether or not they are franchised/eligible to do so. Urgent action is required to ensure that only paid up members can refer posts. I believe that "Free/lapsed" members cannot initiate private messages so such a restriction on referring posts should not be difficult to engineer and enforce.

I would also suggest that some form of retribution against those found guilty of repeatedly referring posts which are subsequently reinstated should be publicly stated and strictly enforced. The possibility of action being taken against those found guilty of repeated frivolous or malicious reporting should be clearly stated on the opening page (Request a Review) of the report procedure.

Yes Flip you are SO correct....the phantom reporter does so in complete anonymity and often for no and/or random reasons.

If they were not cloaked in their anonymity would they be so "brave"??

I have had several emails from GR warning me about my behaviour when I could see no reason for my post being reported. And I received no apology when my posts were reinstated. And the reporter skulks away back under hsi stone until the next time

Jude

Yes, good luck Natasha.

One of the main areas of contention recently is the amount of threads/posts being reported - sometimes for no good reason - which causes lots of comments and animosity. New members are being put off from posting or even continuing their membership, often feeling it is their fault.

If a post is reported and subsequently deleted by Genes, there is not always an explanation as to why given to the poster. Surely persistent reporters could be tagged, so as not to be able to RR a post without Genes reviewing their reason first.

Maybe this is one area on which you could focus some attention? I'm pretty sure many of the "helpers" would agree with this comment.

Good luck Natasha,

I look forward to see how you develop the community pages and the kind of support you can offer.

Hi Jude & Eveie, We’re in the middle of a project to move everyone onto the same price package. I’ll keep you updated.

yeah I pay£7.98 for 6 mths to been with gr for yrs now

Natasha good luck in your new role!

Not your area I know, but the random membership fees are a large bone of contention.

I get charged £7.98 for six months. Some members who have not been with GR as long as me get a year for that amount.

It's divisive and it's not fair.

Jude

Hi Everyone,

I’m Natasha and I’ve worked at Genes for 2 ½ years and have a keen personal interest in family history. You may have met me before if you have visited one of the family history events we run throughout the year!

I wanted to let you know that I have recently taken on a new position within Genes Reunited as Community Manager. This is a brand new role, we have never had a Community Manager before, so this will be a learning process for us all. My main aim will be to make sure that people are getting the most out of the boards and the thriving online community Genes has to offer. I will be listening to your suggestions, and making recommendations to the Product team for new features and changes that apply to the boards.

I will not be acting as a full time moderator to the boards but I’ll be there to offer some extra support and guidance as to how the boards should be used. You should feel free to PM me and I will do my best to answer your questions and queries when I can but please be patient as I will be fitting this role around other work I have. We still encourage people to contact customer support directly if they are having difficulties with the site or their account.

Looking forward to working with you all,

Natasha