Genealogy Chat

Complaints about the board police have come up again

Don't you think the problem is the public promotion of Ancestry by name or request of search from Ancestry that is the issue. It is another commercial company and a competitor. GR does have it's own set of records which are OK if one uses them but there are other sites with different set of records.

I can't see the problem if helpers find stuff on any other site without naming the source of the info. :-| :-| :-|

NanaSue
There have been many hundred requests on these boards asking for Ancestry look-ups and none of them have ever been reported or deleted so I don't think that is the issue.

NanaSue,

Today's main issue was the fact the GlitterBaby was accused of being part of
the board police

Also one of the posts by Jax on the same thread was reported for no reason
at all.

I made mention of the post by Paul for the Ancestry lookup which was there this morning and I have noticed tonight that it has been reported.

That's not quite true Astra. A year or so ago someone reported many posts that mentioned Ancestry on a particular weekend. That caused considerable upset.

Estelle then said that it was OK to mention Ancestry as long as it wasn't done to compare it wirh Genes.

It is more likely that the thread was reported because it asked for a look up on this board, which is what they ask you not to do (in the stickied thread "PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING").

Quoting Estelle

"It is fine to mention other sites with regards to look-ups, especially if you have found something on there that could help someone.
What we don't accept is the following:
1). People asking questions about Ancestry (or other sites) - how much it costs, and that type of question.
2). Derogatory comments about our site in comparison to other family history sites. "

Yes it would be possible to post results found without mentioning that they were found on Ancestry, or elsewhere...but hardly a help to those who might benefit from knowing where those records ARE held, that they can then access for themselves.

Until and unless GR hold ALL available records, they WILL have to compete...and they will do that, surely, by making sure their own service is excellent, not by avoiding mention of any competitor. :-D

Following on from RamblingRose - I sometimes post links to other sites (not necessarily genealogical sites but with related information) which I think might hold information useful to the OP - most of those links indicate the name of wherever I have located the potential information/information source. Without it how can a member follow up a suggestion?

As I see it no one site/source has the monopoly on all records for family history / genealogical research, so obviously access to as many sources ( and the assistance of helpers on here) is a benefit - to searchers and GR - if an embargo were placed on mentioning other sites then surely that would include ALL sites/sources - which could be 'interpreted' as "business, competitor or other"?

That having been said - I will now be careful what I post - and where, as I would not want to infringe Ts&Cs or offend anyone!

J-A

Well that did not surprise me that GB's post was rr'd :-D

Wonder who did that then?????

Not that there was anything wrong with it of course

Gone and I never got to read it :-(

GB said something about not using GR records in preference to A because of certain docs only being available there.

Bit bold as brass I must say and a bit of a deterrent to some who are just starting out or can't afford to pay for several sites.

I would rather keep within the rules :-D :-D :-D

Yes she said she used it because of the London marriages and baptisms which are on there but not on GR

I agree with her because thats where all of my ancestors come from and I would rather search my own info rather than have someone else do it for me.

Well it comes to it when you can not even name a site. Not bold as brass but telling the truth. The records on this site do not suit my needs and nothing wrong with posting why

Perhaps who ever sent it for review would give me a reason why by pm but probably not brave enough to do it

Disgusted that a member will not put their name when they send anything for review.

But I also have a good idea who did it so perhaps someone would care to prove me wrong on this

I don't think it "as bold as brass" to state that GR do not have the LMA records" It's a fact, denying it won't keep members here if they need those records...nor will it drive anyone to use Ancestry in favour of GR if GR has other advantages.

I always name the source of any information that I find ................... after all, if we do not do that, how will other members ever learn how to search for themselves???


It makes helpers become a clique, holding all knowledge about how to find information close to their chests, and never letting anyone else into the "secret".


Part of my hope as a helper is always, yes ALWAYS, to put myself out of a job by teaching others how to do their own research.

Yes, people will always have brick walls, and need help to break through .......... but there is no need for people not to know about freebmd, ancestry, FMP, etc etc etc



As for not mentioning sites ........................ as others have sadi, it was said by Estelle months and months ago that it was OK to mention them, but not to slag them nor to compare GR unfavourably with them.


As it is, it is a statement of fact, that I joined GR in 2004, GR did not carry any records at that time, so one HAD to join other sites. By the time GR did begin to carry records, I had obtained all the information that I needed from those records. And GR does not carry the records I now need!

Genes have acknowledged that it's the diversity of resources that the helpers on here use that make these boards so good at providing assistance to others. When I was responding to requests on the WDYTYA weekend I stated when info had come from Ancestry and that wasn't a problem to the GR staff posting the requests on behalf of potential members.

If Genes were so bothered about other sites then why don't they make that a reason in the drop-down selection when reporting posts (and don't give the weak response that it comes under "other"!).

I think what it boils down to is there is a small bunch of people who just really enjoy reporting for the sake of it. What galls me is they don't have the bottle to say they have done so.

Unfortunately ............. the "other" category in the drop down selection for reporting a post covers a multitude of sins


I believe that saying "offensive" or "personally offensive" are probably terms that are most commonly cited under that category ................. and who can argue with that????


"derogatory" could also be another one




balderdash!!!!!!

At least 2 of the team have trees on Ancestry.

They are quite aware that the records are different..

I have found records missing on one site and found them on another.

The search engines are different so may pick up a record on one and not the other.

Just because my tree is on GR it does not mean that my long lost cousin I am looking for will post on GR. I know the team recognize this and have talked it through at length.

It is in fact these boards that are GRs biggest strength.

They help promote an interest in the subject and teach people the various resources available.

This can only help promote GR.

I find it very sad that a tiny minority make the boards unpleasant at times.

Everybody ends up using various sites because the info varies. Many have trees here, there and everywhere - no probs. However some regular GR helpers have no connection with GR, don't use GR facilities and have nothing good to say about GR. Then when some of their comments are reported they are most indignant.

There is no justification for that no matter how helpful they may be. That's not calling a spade a spade, it is just biting the hand.

Quoting LadyKira I find it very sad that a tiny minority make the boards unpleasant at times.

Ah, I understand now NanaSue - I see exactly where you're coming from ...

Oh dear I now have two posts sent for review.

Shame who ever did it will not own up as to why

We all use GR facilities otherwise we would not be here

Starting to think people do not like my new picture.