Genealogy Chat

I think this has gone on long enough! Jenny made a mistake asking for something she could have found herself. Margaret pointed that out. Maybe she could have worded it better. When you have spent a lot of time on this site it can get very wearing to read the same questions being asked time and time again. I understand Margaret's frustration, particularly when a look-up involved money. The fault is in the way the message boards are displayed. When I joined, I spent hours trawling through all the messages on the tips board making notes as I went. This is not now a practical proposition. It would be so much better if there was a search facility to enable people to find previous messages on a given topic. Everyone has to let off steam sometimes but it really shouldn't get personal.

I think that Margaret also forgets that some people have to work, and don't always have the time to go searching for things on foot. I work part-time and have so far done all my searching online, but know that soon I will come to the point where I need to find the time to put in some leg-work. I also don't drive, and have husband who is not interested in dead people! At the end of the day Margaret, if you don't like what you read on here, you don't have to reply to it! Maggy, West Yorkshire

Wow! Reading this feels like school where everyone jumps in & picks on the one who is different. Everyone has the right to an option.I have suggested sites & had them picked over but the saving grace is someone always says thanks. When you read the replies - feedback varies so much. Sometimes when you get little response you do wonder why.

Hi Everyone, its me the instigater of so many replies!(Oh No!) I would have loved to do all my research painstakingly on my own but thats not possible as I cant trek around the country, I live in Shetland, have a large young family and not much cash!.Yes I felt a right wally realising I`d asked someone to look up something that would cost them, but hey, I`m obviously not the first and I`ve found some excellent tips through asking.I guess if you dont ask you dont find out ! I think you all sound great, yes Margaret too, Id've never realised what I`d done without her and we are all entitled to point things out, but for me this is fun and not a majorly serious exercise. Happy searching everyone !:) Jennie

DIANA, Well said, I agree with you entirely. June,Nr.Preston.Lan.

Diana - well said! Jennifer - lets form a new club! The i've asked for a free lookup on 1901 Club. I did it too a couple of days ago!!

Diana - well said! Jennifer - lets form a new club! The i've asked for a free lookup on 1901 Club. I did it too a couple of days ago!!

Margaret You may have thousands on your tree but how much do you know about the history of each individual? In defence of Jennie, if you read her message, she only asked as some people have posted a message saying they have money spare to use up on the 1901,after you reaction I bet she wished she'd never asked!!! A bit of charitable help never hurt anyone,and I don't think people on this board expect anyone else to do there searching for them it's just another tool to use so lighten up. Ann,Darlington

I am a beginner too and did the same as Jennifer a few days ago - asked for a 1901 look-up. Apologies to everyone, of course I know very well you have to pay on that site, but on that particular morning I think I was having a `senior moment' I felt a right twit afterwards. Until I joined G.C I didnt know that there was so much you could do online. I have learned so much from all the NICE people who bother to read and answer messages and hope that I can do the same sometime. And yes! it does feel like a family. Oh! and by the way I've been to the library, I've bought some books,and I'm planning a trip to the local Record office. Sue.

Jean Yes I know what it is like to be disabled. My husband is recovering from a serious spinal operation and we can no longer trail everywhere. All I am saying is that some people don't try to find the info for themselves and are happy to jump in with a question that has been asked on countless occasions before. I have helped a lot of people out when the question was a sensible one, not one that could be answered by simply going back a few pages or clicking on the links page. I help new "cousins" out but have no intention of handing over years of work to someone who doesn't give anything back. Some even claim that the work is theirs later, as I know to my cost. Margaret

Margaret, You have achieved a huge amount with a lot of hard work and I take my hat off to you. If someone finds a link with you they are going to be very happy!! Some people are not as confident or as well educated or as able to achieve without help and encouragement. They need a bit more TLC and let's face it there's not always a lot of that around in this old world! Don't judge them too harshly...some people also need to be able to help others because it makes them feel good about themselves..let them have that opportunity. It doesn't detract from anything you have achieved and if people are nicer to each other along the way isn't that a good thing? One of the huge differences in the way we live today and in the days of our ancestors is that they had such a stronger sense of community all helping each other...let's keep that alive!!! Beryl, Darlington DUR

Margaret, I don't think the majority of the people on this site are lacking in courage to say what they really think, nor are they hypocrites as you seem to be suggesting. Most of them seem to be very willing to help those with less expeience than themselves, both with genealogy and the computer, and ready to accept help and admit that they need it when they are stuck. Having a common goal brings out the best in most people, and maybe that's the most important thing about this endeavour. There's a feeling of "family" about this group, and long may that continue. So have a little compassion for people that ask for help, and pray that you never have to ask for help yourself. By the way Jennifer even without the census decoder, don't forget you can match up families , by right clicking on the name, which brings up a list, left click on properties and then note down the ID# at the bottom of the info that appears. Other members of the family will have consecutive ID#s. Diana, Tsawwassen.

Thanks for all slagging me off. I stand by what I said! Anyone who has the cheek to ask someone else to pay for info for them doesn't deserve help. As for the same questions being asked all the time, exactly!! Do people not read previous postings or even look at the links page on the left. I know I have been "at it" for a long time but I learnt by reading books and finding out anything I could from the library. I didn't expect people to do everything for me. Some of you are "too nice" probably thinking the same as me but afraid to say it. As for me having over 1100 names I also have 1800 on my husbands side. My genealogy program contains 6000 names all achieved through hard work and not expecting others to do the work. I thought this site was to find links with other members of our families not become a cheap way of getting others to do the research for us. I suppose I'm going to get another slating, don't care, GET REAL. Margaret

To be honest the best thing to do is go onto the site, read what's there and download the help file (which comes separately from the program). I only downloaded this afternoon but have had hours of fun gathering large quantities of info (which i was able to save as excel files) that I can pore over at a later date. Hope this helps - it's a bit complicated to explain and I'm just about ready for bed! :)

Ruth I have emailed you directly re 1851. Have fun! Sally

Ann, this exercise sounds intriguing! Would you send it to me too? Many thanks, Ruth

Debra Just because some one has thousands on their tree doesn't give them the right to be so unkind does it? I have mailed both Jennie and Colette with an excercise that Vera sent to me when I was getting stuck and didn't really understand what it was supposed to show. There some very clever people on this site and very helpful ones too Ann,Darlington

Thanks Debra I finally got my reply from 1901, which did indeed tell me to go to my local library for vouchers. I've put the generic info on how to get vouchers up as a separate post in case people don't think of looking under this heading.

I asked for help a while back because I was stuck. I had a couple of very rude replys, and yes youve guessed it, it was Margaret Harrison i`ve just had to go back a few pages to makes sure. Some people are just so damned rude. Just take no notice of their stupid comments. Debbie Just checked to see how may she has on her tree 1147 she`s obviously and expert on the subject

Ruth I bought my 1901 vouchers from my local library, perhaps you could try your nearest library. Debbie