General Chat

As a newcommer to genealogy and this site, I have a bit of a frustration that I would like to share and wonder if anyone else is experiencing similar?

I have been contacting other members about Hot Matches and I always take the time to formulate a proper message, often with a question about connections to ancestors. I guess that I am lucky to receive any reply at all but I find it very frustrating to just be given access to a tree which has thousands and thousands of entries in it with no further explanation. The latest message I have received just gave access to a tree which contained over 37000 records and often these trees are so large that they will not open properly.

A proper reply to a query that someone has taken the time to send about an ancestry connection would be very much appreciated.

Thank you
Hilary

Yes I have the same problem ...but what I do is spend time taking the people from the tree then adding them to mine then sometimes I do delete the bits I dont need ............

sometimes I just leave it there

well, aren't you guys lucky?!


The usual complaint is that people do NOT respond to contact!!!


I most certainly would not open my tree to anyone at first contact, no matter how much information you gave me.

I would also be very suspicious of trees containing multi-thousand names

......... there are people who just collect names, taking them from other people's trees whether there is any real connection .................... plus the fact that such information may well not have been checked out thoroughly.

Many many people have found mistakes in trees ...... so never ever assume that what you see on soemone else's tree is correct or has been checked.


Always, but always, do your own checking before adding the information to your tree.


sylvia

Hi Hilary,
Probably the most common reason that people fail to reply to a PM (personal message). Is when they are no longer a member. Often when someone leaves GR, their tree remains on the GR data base.
This means that you can still receive hotmatches of people within those tree. But obviously any query you place to them won't be answered.

You said these person had 37,000 people in their tree. Beware of name collectors, there are a few around.
Only ever open your tree to someone, once you've received a confirmed link by PM.

Regards,
Steve

Hi Everyone

Thanks for your replies and the advice given. I have already learnt that verification is needed before requesting or opening a tree which is the reason for sending a polite enquiry before- hand. No-one can enjoy being led up the wrong garden path.

I guess that the message here is to ignore massive trees and to dismiss the possibility of any connections if a "proper" reply is not received.

Thank you and Happy Thursday!
Hilary