Find Ancestors

Ivy...see you there lol

Hi Julie, LOL, I sympathise

But...I'm still in the optimists' camp. When they changed all the boards here in mid-August there was loads of correspondence about the changes. I think there must have been a software developer reading the boards that evening, and it was amazing - many requests were fixed before our very eyes.

I'll try emailing the helpdesk - but I know I may end up with my head on that same wall!

All the best

(Just seen Sylvia's message - waves at ship passing in the night - apologies, on my way home - speak tomorrow)

Hi all,


it's still a problem, whatever way you look at it!!

Julie, I did think it was due to people doing a Surname Search ................. and of course there is no evidence that the "old" posters were helped way back when.


I just was fed up, and didn't know how else to try to get a message out!!!



sylvia

Hi Ivy

If you read my thread I give up, you'll see i have given up, i had a pm asking what my problem was, so gave up trying to help. Not because of the pm just with the banging my head against the wall

Julie

I do still help on Tips & records thou

Hi Sylvia, Julie, Claire,

This is exactly what this thread is all about - how can the boards be organised a bit differently for what people want?

When I first came to the site, I used to read the previous "Trying to Find" board thinking that it would point me towards others searching for a common ancestor. In fact, as you say, it provides an excellent service for those trying to trace a missing living relative - lots of the threads are from adoptees etc.

None of the other boards really suggest that they are the place to post a general "look-up" query, which is the theme of many of the tips/record office threads.

On the basis that the smallest changes are those most likely to be implemented, could we ask for the "Trying to Find" board to be called "Trying to Find Living Relative" (from Claire's point), and extend the remit of the Records Office board to call it just "Records", so that the look-up queries go there? I have seen complaints from time to time from people that the threads on the Tips board are too specific, and that it might work better if it concentrated on general Tips.

What do others think?

Claire

That wouldn't be a bad idea, but only if people see it. I have tried this morning on a couple of threads asking people to take their look ups over to the other boards, i got ignored, why cos someone is doing the look up for them.

Julie

Yes sorry Sylvia

Sorry Sylvia, Julie & I seem to have hijacked your thread (my fault).
A thought for both of you, or anyone else who's reading-
What if Gene's put a note at the top of the "Trying to Find" stating that the board was only to be used for people who were likely to be alive? They could then point out that messages left shouldn't be too personal.
I've read the desciption of what each board should be used for & admit it pretty confusing.

Claire

The only thing i can't think of is, help the Trying to Find ones like the "Faid" thread or we could just add it might be best to PM them, and those asking for Look-ups ask them to take them to Tips or Records.

I have also noticed how quiet it is now on Tips and Record

Julie

Phew i typed that out 3 times lol

I think you're right Julie, many times I've seen several old threads appear all showing the same surname & all with the same post saying "sorry this is not my relation"
I have heard it suggested that threads are deleted after a year but having read the "Faid" thread, would this really be such a good idea?
I can't think of a way around this one but perhaps someone else can.

Sylvia

I think you'll find that when people are replying to the old messages on the trying to find they are doing it through their surname and probably not realising it then brings it to the front of this board. Therefore they will not see this message

Julie

Hope that makes sense

Iam nudgeing that to

it's STILL happening!

n

for the night shift

for the evening shift

n

Sue (Suffolk One) ................... it would make some sense if they did that!!


I mean, we don't even know how many of the people who posted those messages several years ago are still even members of GR, let alone looking on here regularly!


BUT I think it makes a lot more sense to do the pm yourself with these old threads ................ at least the person will be notified then (and the rest of us won't get confused)!


sylvia

up we come!

Guilty as charged M'lord, BUT very irritated when I realise how old they are.

Private messages would make far more sense really unless the orignal message was posted TODAY or YESTERDAY - anything older than that PM.

I wish GR had a system whereby you were notified by email, if your post is added to, like when you are contacted directly.