General Chat

There are only two reasons I can think of for a "nil response" to requests for made for access to someones tree who "may" have a link worth looking at. The first is that people try out the GR system and are loathe to respond to requests for fear of "opening a can of worms". The second, and I think is more likely of the two is that the tree is now dormant; some people get fed up too easy and "call it a day". I'm trying to contact people who I think are my distant relations and have been lucky sometimes, but, more often than not I get no response. I know tree owners dont have to respond, but I just thought, is there any way could be told that little or no movement goes on in some trees?
Am I just being a little impatient or am I as "unlucky" as others still researching their ancesters.

Well Genes say the have 11 million members..........not true
They may have 11 million people who have stumbled over this site some years ago put in a name or two and gone.
I know my father and ex husband did when friends reunted was a big thing, I also did, but became a paying member a year ago.
I have only ever had one email address but people change them so any contact that is not responded to is probably for that reason.
So if you send a message and the envelope stays purple for a while they probably do not use that email address anymore.

jax

It also depends if you give details as to why you would like to look at someones tree.

Some people send an automated message just requesting to view without giving any details as to how they think they are connected.

Christine

I think I would be a little "cautious" to say the least if someone asked me to open my tree without giving me details of how they think they are linked to me.
However, I always put names a couple of relations off my tree that link with the one they have on their tree.
I've recently changed tactics as well by looking for a couple of other names and then going back to the Search Trees to see if the same Tree Holder has more than 2 of my tree on his/hers.

Try searching for names that have been added within the last 14 days. I find that this almost always brings a prompt response.

I have also had responses after several months so don't give up hope. If the person has read the message, then try a follow up. This sometimes works too.

A dormant tree stays on site once a person has died, unless a relative asks for it to be removed.