Genealogy Chat

You all deserve medals for doing so many teedious look-ups. You must have the patients of Saints to do it. I had downloaded the 1851 kent census months ago so thought I search it this morning, It took over 2 hours just looking for 2 surnames WITH the search facility on notepad/word packages and I still didn't get the families I was looking for. I'll have to search some of the other counties anouther day since I don't have time just now. I hope the brainless numbskulls read your moan, Lou, and realise that infomation is not as easy to get as switching on a PC.

Hi Chris, No , this will never deter me from giving help from my limited knowledge to those who ask...I am so sad that there are those out there , hopefully very few, that use others in such a way. The genuine people make up for them though. Anne :)))

Grrrrrrrrrr I've had another one of those abrupt requests to view my tree. No mention of how we may be connected or when. Just 'can I view your tree'. They really annoy me. Margaret

Hi Margaret I've had a few of those. Out of curiousity, how do you respond? Lou

Lou I ask what connection they think they have with the names I have on GR as I dont give any info unless they can prove a connection. I vary rarely get a reply. I think they are just fishing for info. Margaret

Thanks Margaret That's how I've been treating requests that are a little on the abrupt side. The other thing used to be when I had the full tree on here, I'd get requests about a name and it would turn out to be someone who had married my ggrandfather's brother's daughter or something equally as distant. When I used to reply with the fact I had no further info on Joe Bloggs as he had married into the family, I got a couple of snotty messages back saying that I shouldn't have people in my tree if I have no info on them! Another reason why I no longer keep the full tree on here! Lou

Lou I get those type. The point is if you dont put them on you can't add the children, which are related to you. If I got a snotty email, they would get one equally snotty going the other way LOL Margaret

I was a bit surprised to see that the moaning thread was still going but have just had a rude email myself! So ... MOAN, MOAN, MOAN! Also, I've had a few of those automatic requests to view my tree but I ignore them. Unless someone has the decency to send a message saying why they want to look, they don't get to see. I feel much better now I've had a moan. Thanks, Louise

Hi Louise Glad you feel better! I think this thread has become a general one for people to sound off about anything. I'm thinking about changing the title to something like 'Come and have a whinge here...all welcome!' Lou

Lou Thats dreadful! Why should you know 100% about every name you have on here......I bet if you turned the question round to them they couldn't give 10% on even 1% of the names they have on here. Another example of those who take methinks :) Chris

Ok then I will join in. I did agree to let someone see my tree, then spent ages trying to find her on my contacts list, umpteen pages as I do so many look ups. Many emails later it turned out that the name she uses on her email is different from the registered name, no wonder I couldn't find her. Also the flow of sharp emails with more and more requests with only a curt thanks, Grrrrrr Still there are some lovely ones who are so delighted to have had help. I suppose it all balances out. Linda

hi i must say i have enjoyed reading all your replies and i know the feeling.i go on a few sites and as i have been doing my tree i am only just finding more time to help others .the trouble is on here you are all too quick for me and have replied first .i have been a member for a while but have only just found your message pages as i have been too busy in the past .but i must say out of all the sites this is the busiest and friendliest.anyone who has spent months going through thousands of names will appreciate all your hard work .regards henry

hi to everyone that has helped someone on here, without everyone helping and assisting each other a lot of people would be banging their heads against a wall...literally!... so a big thankyou to everyone on here, p.s- i need help lol..,... alison

does anyone know if it is possible for me to find out when my paternal grandma died?....all i have is her name 'lily thomas' and an address she was at in 1953. '6 clements road, thanet,ramsgate,kent' if anyone can point me in the right direction i would appreciate it, best wishes alison

Alison You will have to buy the death cert to get that info Margaret

Alison, it may prove difficult as your grandma may have moved or married after 1953. She may also have been called Lillian rather than Lily. You could find out if the local studies library for the area has a run of electoral rolls or directories to find out who was at the address. Alternatively, you could send a letter to the local newspaper to jog the memories of the residents. Good luck

Today I have proof that people are not reading this thread therefore not learning. Perhaps a similar one on the Records Office board may help. Andrea (who isn't happy with recent experience)

Andrea It just goes to show that the people these type of threads are aimed at in the hope that they'll realise just what they're expecting people to do and how to have a few manners are the ones that don't bother to read it. After all if it doesn't apply directly to them or provide them with free information or mean someone else will do all the work for them, they're not interested BTW...I saw the thread I THINK you are referring to and totally agree with you! Lou

Does this 'true' story ring any bells ..... There's always one. This has got to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the ...... Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the organization for 'Termination without Cause'. Actual dialogue of a former Customer Support employee. (Now I know why they record these conversations!): Operator: 'Computer assistance; may I help you?' Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with the search engine.' Operator: 'What sort of trouble??' Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.' Operator: 'Went away?' Caller: 'They disappeared.' Operator: 'Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?' Caller: 'Nothing.' Oper ator: 'Nothing??' Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.' Operator: 'Are you still in Ancestry, or did you get out??' Caller: 'How do I tell?' Operator: 'Can you see the C: prompt on the screen??' Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?' Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?' Caller: 'There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type.' Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator??' Caller: 'What's a monitor?' Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??' Caller: 'I don't know.' Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??' Caller: 'Yes, I think so.' Operator: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall. Caller: 'Yes, it is.' Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??' Caller: 'No.' Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.' Caller: 'Okay, here it is.' Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer.' Caller: 'I can't reach.' Operator: 'Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is??' Caller: 'No.' Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??' Caller: 'Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark.' Operator: 'Dark??' Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.' Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.' Caller: 'I can't.' Operator: 'No? Why not??' Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.' Operator: 'A power... A power failure? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in??' Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.' Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.' Caller: ' Really? Is it that bad?' Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.' Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??' Operator: 'Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer

When you post a thread offering lookups, but state that 'all requests be on the thread and not by personal message', BUT, you still get loads of emails asking for lookups. It really clogs up your contact list as you get those little ticks against everyone in their tree and when you are doing a search for names you cant remember ever contacting them before. PLEASE PLEASE read the heading on a thread before you jump headlong into a request. Margaret