Genealogy Chat

Thank you regards Lyn

Good idea Zoe, I am fairly new (just over a year) and find getting information quite difficult sometimes. My idea would be that you explain your jargon first i.e. what thread means, what does pm mean etc., etc., I readpeoples threads quite often and find them very interesting and have learnt a lot, but sometimes get lost in all the jargon. A step by step idiot guide would be very good. Good luck

Ive posted a thread on general with message board tips for everyone, new and old but can be searched for by putting in GUIDELINES in the search box ; MESSAGE BOARD GUIDELINES ;TIPS AND TRICKS. It explains nudges etc. Elaine x

Sorry I forgot this......could you explain threads and nudges ???? Regards Lyn

Hello I am a *newbie* and am pretty clueless about the whole thing, but am slowly learning,lol I have noticed that words are shortened to initials only, ie GR=genesreunited (took a while for me to realise what that meant) OPC is another. Would you be able to add a section with commonly abreviated words please, as I for one would find them really helpful. Thank You Lyn

What an excellent idea, Zoe! I can't phrase this right, but what about something on the lines of: If you view your threads, you must have posted to them. The topic originator may have changed the title, but it's still the same thread. And advice I never follow, though it is useful: It is much easier to type all your messages in Wordpad or similar, so you can see the thread when you are replying, then copy and paste. (And since we aren't all computer nerds, what copy and paste means!)

Explanation of how to use the Search box to find previous threads on a variety of different topics already discussed on here Kat

cheers for imput guys - I think initially I'll stick to a guide to using genes as when it come sto GEDcom I havent a clue (never used it) Doing a 'how to trace your family tree' i.e. giving website guie, archive and all that may be a bit out of my league - and is all information that can be found eslewhere on teh site Zoe

Zoe maybe a bit on GEDcom I'm still trying to figure it out Norah

Zoe , What a brilliant Idea, I spent time last week trying to help out someone answer a thread and it took quite a lot of doing, only thing is Im still not sure she understood what I was saying, as she still has not brought her thread back up onto the board,so looks like I messed that one up;; so explain how to use 'your threads' to find it. Babs

Great idea Zoe I was thinking on similar lines myself. The trouble is, it should be GR putting it on the homepage. But, if it was as clear as the getting started part, well, we all know how helpful that is!! Perhaps GR could create a 'sticky topic' so that it stays at the top? Here goes, hoping newbies will actually take the time to read it. It could be in the form of FAQ. What is a thread? How do I add to a thread? What is the best way to title my thread I want to create? How do I find the threads I have posted? Why is it better to add to the thread rather than contact the person who replied directly? How do I find my rellies cert? (this I think should be in great detail with web addys, and fully explained how to search the images) What is a registration district? Can I view a cert without paying for it? How much is a cert? What is the vol and page the GRO are asking for? Can I view the census for free? Is Ancestry worth the money? How do I post on the Trying to find Board? What is a nurse child? How do I find out what this cause of death means? Why is there no fathers name listed? How do I find a cert before 1837? (we need to explain that you cant) How do I consult the parish registers? Are they online?(some do assume that everything is online now. I know this is true as my cousin assumed they were) Are electoral registers online? Is the IGI the best way of finding my rellies? Why cant I find them on the IGI? Can I find Army Records online? I am sure there are lots more. Obviously some of the above could be worded better. Margaret

Following on from June's point about waiting around to check for replies: Only post request when you know you WILL have time to sit at computer - i.e NOT on your way out to work, shopping trip or going to bed. Not using capitals throughout message - Shouting and hard to read. Explain how GR compacts text in first box, so a better idea is to put see below and enter your info as a reply, which can be done by preparing the message in word and then using copy and paste Point out how GRO index works and what a lengthy and costly search this can be, (once no longer free on Ancestry) - I think lots of newbies have NO idea what is involved in this and assume it works in the same way as FREEBMD i.e type in name and back comes list of possibilities. Jay

Also that when requesting a lookup, they need to say firstly which COUNTY they are talking about. Often if just a village/town are quoted, people have no idea where it is and therefore probably won't bother to look it up before they can help. Secondly, all appropriate information needs to be posted. For example, if someone is requesting a lookup on the 1891 census, it helps if they post all the details that they have from the 1901 census. if I have to look that up before I can start the requested lookup, then I don't bother helping. And lastly, if you are looking for 'info on John Smith born 1810' PLEASE say how he fits into your family, where the info has come from, where you have had the name from etc etc. Often I have posted census info only for someone to come back and say 'I already have that, I wanted to know his parents'. Sam x

Hi Zoe, This is a good idea, 1 We need to let Newbies know how to reply to there threads instead of persons name . 2 Putting some better info on look ups like Country + County. 3 Waiting around to see if person that is doing look up needs some more info or to confirm that it is there rellies. 4 Using manners like saying please and thank you 5 Letting them know what they can look up free for themselves. regards June

Hi Zoe If you are going to do this then could you inclued a topic on the ''trying to find board'' as it seems a lot of people who post on there dont give any info, example from yesterday Jo Bloggs married 1848? who to? <i changed the name lol> and by the same person this one Aunty Mary <name> nee <name> eloped to london in 1930 where is she now??? how can anyone help also a few tips for young posters would be good, a young girl put a post on the sucsses board (it should have gone on the trying to find one) She was trying to find her father she gave his name, last address and ended with this 'plz plz help i'm 16 and want to find him' That kind of post leaves her open to all sorts of idiots, and as there are no moderators on the boards its a bit scary to think what could happen. Steve

I'm quite happy to create a 'Tips for newbies:' thread which can run on each board with suggestions on how to use the site to their best advantage. If people want to give examples of things they think need to be explained/ that they've encountered problems with please add and I'll work on something over the weekend thats easy to understand Zoe p.s. can we keep it aimed at how to use genes and possibly recommended sites for first steps rather than an a-z of genealogy

I'm gonna start a 'Newbies How To' .... see below