General Chat

Night night Aunt Pat MWAH becx

Pats gone to bed early!!!!...she must be on a promise! lol Am on 3rd fag Still freezing me socks off Night night all xxx

Hi, I agree with Pat that only full members should be allowed to read the boards. I used to put my real name on here until advised by another (female) member not to. Not that long ago some women on here were harrassed by a (full) GC member. If my real name is put into any of the online search directories my address is easily obtainable as is where I work. I have a 'unique' name - I'm the only me in the UK. People I exchange family information with do get to find out who I am and quite a few people on this board already know my full name. There are women on here who are afraid of being tracked down by abuseive exes - are we to exclude them from membership? Having our full names displayed would not stop anyone becoming a full member using an alias. This happened only a month or so ago. Someone could join as six different people GC don't check the details we give on registration. Displaying the membership number is a good idea but many women would probably not contribute if they had to give their full names on a public forum. Gwynne

I understand that some people are more than happy to have their full name on here but that would preclude people such as Glenys in Timbuktu who has a very valid security reason for not using her full name. (Not picking on you Glenys - yours was the best example I could think of. xxx)

I have my real name Jim,but I still get in trouble! Dave

I am in agreement Jim, or even if they put their Christian name and whatever after that. June xx

I use my real name all the time. I have no problem with others using their 'web names', but its a good idea to be able to indentify people. I'm not sure about HAVING to use your real name. BUT I am happy to go with the magority on this. Deanna

I have no problem with people using whatever name they like I just wish they would also put their christian name or an abbreviation of it. June xx

Hi June, I agree with that. I can think of a few names that I don't know how to respond to as no name is given. If your user name is 'white satin' (for example) and you don't give a name at the bottom of your posting I feel a bit odd calling you 'white'. So I often don't reply. Gwynne (whose user name is a very old nickname from school)

I have nothing to hide and would happily have my real name available for look up..... it's Diana Hennis if you don't know already!! Pink xx

Hi Pink Diana, I wasn't meaning you - I know who you are, I think all regular posters do. I was listening to the Moodies when I typed. The names I'm thinking of don't have colours in them. Gwynne

First - I agree with Gerri and Maz on their points of view. Second - I did NOT appreciate that the boards could be viewed by non-members - this is not ON! Third - some of us have private lives that we don't want aired to someone who might have a connection with us, if we put our own names up instead of aliases. I really enjoy reading everyone's POV on such varied subjects and have picked up some good tips/laughs, in the short time I've been a member. Lily

good idea and also for non members NOT to be allowed to view the non genealogical general board. AND CHAT (to stop trouble) Elaine x

I have to say Elaine Im in agreement with you on that one... Anita

Well, I don't care what anyone else says, having very distinctive real names makes it very easy for people to track down somebody. Having had previous problems with 'undesirable attentions', I don't necessarily want the world, his wife et al to know who or where I am. I'll happily impart that information to anyone who I feel needs to know it, but I'm not being railroaded into using my maiden name or my married name, and if it comes to that, then I shall be leaving GR and FR for good. I've NEVER done anyone any harm to anyone on these Boards, under my own name or any others I've adopted from time to time for whatever reason, I just don't like my given names and have had to endure lifelong 'funny' remarks about my names, which are sickeningly boring, to say the least. Why don't you all get GR to remove the bullies and troublemakers from the site - THAT would solve the problems! Just, please, leave us cowards in peace. CB >|< (for the duration of my membership)

MY board name is obviously just that. I don't use my proper name on here becasue i don't want to be too obvious to others as i am researching an adoptive route. However If i find a match on a name board or email someone who 'needs to know' or just that I 'want to know' i sign off with my proper christian name. Until i have positive response from someone i still do not include my surname. It is so easy to compile personal profiles of people and it-has happened on here not so long ago. All the info was there to be read......was read...and used with malice. Sorry not going there! Birthday greetings are lovely....but i won't get one.Its not June the poster that is the problem is anyone else that sits and reads it. jess jess

Will we have to produce birth or marriage certificates to prove our identities when we join?

In theory it's a great idea Jim but as several people have raised the issue of security I don't think you could get it to work. I don't use my real name because there are so many Sue's on these boards but I think most people who need to know, do know exactly who I am. I do agree with Pat that non-members should not have access to the boards and I constantly forget that anyone can dip in and gather information about any of us. I think I'll have to watch my rather over-informative postings from now on! Daisy

If my private emails are anything to go by I think a lot of people will leave if they are forced to use their real names. I'm made of sterner stuff. I'll leave then join again under a fake name or my dad's name or my husband's. I refuse to be googled by complete strangers. Or tracked down via any other websites. Gwynne

Gwynne, Yes - and if we all did that, it would completely destroy the purpose of the exercise Jim has suggested, but nobody could stop us doing it - which suggests it would be futile to instigate any change. CB >|<