General Chat

Hi ,I wonder how many members are frustrated by the lack of replies to messages sent to members, said to be searching individuals.Its unfortunate, that we are unable to find out if they are still members or still active in researching.

If you can send a message then they are still members. Some people don’t update their email addresses so messages can’t get through.
Some people don’t open their messages - purple envelope.
Some people do but don’t bother to reply.

Most of us have been there - had that.

some may have died leaving no instructions

Have you checked if the envelope is open.?

Hi Again
Thank you all for your replies,yes have checked,however still find it frustrating

Malcolm ..................

GR never removes any trees belonging to members ................ and there is a free membership that allows people to set up trees but not post on the Boards or initiate contact by the private message system. They can reply to someone who emails them.

As a result, trees can stay for ever and a day, unless the member or someone given their information deletes the tree.

One way to tell if a member MIGHT still be active as filed with GR, is to look at the membership number ........ they run consecutively from when the site began back in lat 2002/early 2003.

Therefore, early numbers = an early membership.

I suspect that there are many that like friends reunited , started a tree lost interest started another when they forgot their details......;

Bob ..............

I agree with you that a lot of people will have done that.


Malcolm ...........

whether someone replies to a message may also depend on how the pm is worded.

If it was GR's suggested message, "Open your tree" ....... the response will almost certainly be ignoring, especially by long term members.

If you don't explain how or why you are contacting them .................. same response. many of us just ignore those, as many pms worded without any explanation have in the past turned out to be fishing expeditions.

A "good" pm gives some idea of how or why your ancestor seems to be connected to my tree. That allows the recipient to do a quick look at their tree, see quickly whether there is or is not a connection, then if they so desire, get back to you and discuss matters until you come to a resolution, yes or no.