General Chat

Thanks for those kind words Jill <3

I think NanaSue has lost her way back to this thread :-D

Hehe. You are more than welcome Jax.

NanaSue might have been back to look but she definitely hasn't posted again has she. I wonder if the replies we gave were what she was expecting.

Or perhaps it was GR Big Brother, doing a kind of 'Secret Shopper' test on us ;-) ;-) ;-)

Maybe she will still come back and post.

I really am glad that you are sticking around.

xxJ

"Helpers are they real GR users and supporters"

Does this mean I am not a GR user or supporter because I do not use the records on this site.

Surely by helping others with their research I am both a user and supporter on this site.

Most regular helpers on the board will probably not use the records on this site.

It is not compulsory to have a tree on here or to use the records.

I am real ..... pinch me and I squeal LOUDLY


I am on the GR Boards for some period of time many days of the week, helping people when I can, chatting to friends, reading possibly interesting threads, etc etc

I have a small tree on GR (about 130 names), but have not made any new entries or worked on it for at least 3 years.


I joined GR back in 2004 ........ GR did not have ANY records on site at that time, and there were 2 levels of membership ........

1. Free ........ which allowed you to build your tree

2. Paid Standard .............. allowed you to build your tree, get Hot Matches, contact other members, and post on the Community Boards.


Consequently one had to join other sites to find records


I joined as a Standard member, and have remained at that level since then ...... just like most other helpers.


The first records were added to GR after the site was sold in 2007 by the original owners .............. but those records were extremely difficult to use because in fact you were directed by GR to another site.

Thus, if you looked for a bmd, you were directed to the bmd Index on, I believe ancestry.

Similarly with censuses .............. you were directed to another site, but you could not move from page to page within a census (eg, if your family members went over on to a second page, you could not turn that page).


The only time I looked at the records then was to see why people were asking the questions they were doing ....... often a question did not make any sense to me, based on my experience on other sites.


Thankfully, BS changed that, and GR carries its own records now ................ although I think the records have been acquired from other sites, such as fmp ....... I don't think GR has done its own transcriptions.



I did not upgrade to either Gold or Platinum level when those memberships were brought in because I did not need to! ..................

I had my membership in another site, and had in fact found most of the information that was then available.

And now that other site is loading more and more records from earlier archives ........... and these are providing more and more information for me. But they are not on this site.



I've found that I can help people both by using my subscriptions to other sites PLUS the knowledge I've developed over several years of small, generally unknown sites .................. such as the Blacksmiths Index, curious fox, black sheep, etc etc etc


I also have a larger tree on ancestry, but ..................


My main tree with all its information is maintained on my home computer in a format which does not fit GR's tree ......... nor that of any other site :-D


does that answer your question????????????????






sylvia

It's an odd question really. Maybe NanaSue thinks we are GR employees in disguise :-S


Yes, I'm real. I'm on here a lot because my OH has Parkinson's and we don't get out as much as we used to.


I'm a 'backroom' boy in that the others are much better at look ups than I am so, for many years, I have been sending pm's to newbies to let them know they have replies. So many of them think that GR will notify them of replies.


Yes, I'm a supporter of GR and, despite it's ups and downs, will continue to renew my membership because of the camaraderie found on here and, I like the tree format!


Haven't used the records because, as others have stated, there weren't any on here when I first joined and I got used to other sites.


Now come on NanaSue, what do you think of the answers so far............surely I won't have to send you a pm to let you know you have replies...... ;-)



Cx

Don't put yourself down Cynthia - you are a whizz at digging around on Medway City Ark :-D

You're too kind DET! I have to admit that I love rootling around in parish records of any description...... :-D

Sorry for not getting back sooner - involved with a borough wide election as a residents Champion.

My question came about because I was surprised when PP/Roy said he doesn't use any of the GR records. Not only that he doesn't even recommend them.
Didn't feel his comment was appropriate in the GR boards. Thought I'd throw it open to see what others feel.

Yes my first tree was on GR - really enjoyed it.
Helping so many others I have joined other companies.
It is a cost thing and I found most of GR records very easy to use but the extra's a little expensive. However better than routing around those old read book

My concern is that the GR Boards are to help people and over the years I've had great support. However no matter how bad GR may be for some people I don't see why they should pass their feeling over to new people.( Neebies).

I also feel very upset at time with the Board police. I always say just help
if you want too, advise gently otherwise keep quiet. The scary Marys' shake me a times.

I was invited to GR office a few weeks ago (It is near where I live) and I asked a lot of questions. They admitted that they do not monitor the Boards as much as they should for now. All hands are on deck to get the new bespoke program working properly. There are plans in the pipeline.Saying that they claimed they do look at all reports (feedback).

Thanks everybody for contributing to the debate. Quite amazing - I'm usually in the dog house on these boards
:-D

If you felt that Roy's comments were inappropriate, why didn't you just say so openly?

Why didn't you post your reply as your initial question? I for one, would have been much happier with that because the reply I gave was based on that question and not regarding Roy's, or anyone elses posting habits or opinions.

From what you say about yourself and your brief mention of your visit to GR, my thought is that you want to become a monitor of us lot on here; perhaps caring for the newbies.

You are of course, entitled to your opinion about how any one of us posts but if you have a comment to make, make it. Please don't ask me a question which I feel was done under false pretences.

JustDinosaurJill, the question was asked as intended.
It was only Roy's comment that made me think that is all.
He is just brilliant on the boards & I was not getting at him so didn't expect anybody to join in a boxing match.

It was other people thoughts on the question I was hoping for
The replies are clear and so very interesting.

Your interpretation of my intention sounds like I'm in for another kicking.
So strange how people interpret things.

GlitterBaby made a fair comment but I've not see her slag off GR.
:-)

NanaSue...I have nearly always seen newbies told where the best range of records for them are held...often that is a free site, they are also always told that GR's strength lies in the wide experience of its members ( freely acknowledged by GR staff), the chance of finding matches in trees already on here, etc

quoting Estelle (GR staff)

"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.

Saying one doesn't and wouldn't use the records here is not derogatory per se. It is making a choice to use the ones one finds more relevant, easier to search, cheaper possibly, or with a 'different' ( not 'better') layout that suits.

I've helped for years. but this accusatory tone that has crept up onto the boards that one has to toe the party line is putting me off immensely.

As for "forum police" a phrase which I find to be offensive, unfair and VERY unoriginal, I would draw your attention to one of your own comments

"I'd report any post I don't think is approproiate.

There are to many people here who think they are the board police - so frustrating "

Contradictory at best?

i have a serious tree on GR and have used their records
but use find my past to gain my details mostly
and i also get help from others and help others in return
i find doing my tree during the night best as the sites run quicker

as i said on another thread Ive been given a file by a very kinds gentleman
which maps with extensive detail on one side of my family :-D

Does it really matter which site we use to help others.

Going to stop there for the moment as I would put something I might regret and get a warning for !!!!!!

with apologies to the writer and Sir Harry


"If I can help somebody as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody with a 'search' or song,
If I can show somebody he is trav’ling wrong,
'my Subscription' shall not be in vain."

;-)

Now now, lets all play nicely,

There's nothing wrong with the OP's question

it appears that its the thread Topic/Title thats the problem

(Helpers are they real GR users and supporters)

Nanasue, All are Real GR users, And the act of posting on the boards Supports GR,

Anyone researching their family tree will need to use other resources GR only hold the same basic records that can be found on other sites, Some free and some subscription sites,

The site would not have been a success without the community boards

Whilst i continue to pay my subs to GR then i will continue to use the site as i see fit, within the T&C that i signed up to

If GR want my undivided loyalty then they would need to Pay Me


Roy

I remember at the beginning of this year a thread where someone was asking a question about different records available

You said " why dont people recomend GR" (or something similar)
I replied by saying " Maybe they dont like using their records"

Now within 10 minutes my post was rr'd .....was I slagging GR off....NO just giving an opinion

There were a few posts that night that were rr'd too if they dared to mention another site....makes you wonder does'nt it?

The board Police were out in force that night :-)

Don't put yourself down Cynthia........

I can do that for you :-D

Gins dear?


Do go back to your own little planet.....~~~~ ;-)

:-(