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Since January I replied to eight people

Tracing the Macdowalls in Scotland and only two replied :-(

GR trees never get deleted unless the member deletes their own tree. So it's very likely that the people you contact are no longer looking for messages, they may no longer be interested, have changed their email so don't know you've messaged, or sadly died in the intervening years.

Have the messages been opened? The 'envelope' next to the message in 'sent messages' will have gone if it's been read.

It is possible that they will return at some point, see the message and reply...that can happen after years lol.

As I said only two has been opened

You say you 'replied' to eight people, so they must have contacted you in the first place.

No I meant I sent to eight people tracing my surnames

Sorry, I misunderstood.

So if only 2 have opened your message, 6 could be ....................

dead
incapacitated
changed their email without notifying GR
lost all interest
had a full computer failure and lost all their records
forgotten their password.


Par for the course

........ and of course, even if someone opens the envelope they are under no obligation to respond.


May I ask whether you a) just asked them to open their tree; b) just asked them for information; or c) provided some information as to why you thought there might be a connection between your ancestry?

Many people will not respond to either of the first 2 requests .......... many of us consider it lacking in courtesy, and possibly even "fishing" by name collectors.

If the envelope hasn't gone then those messages have not been read, if the envelope HAS gone they have been read but not replied to.

Make sure when sending a message you give enough info on the people you are searching for, then all you can do is wait :-)

I always ask if we are connected as we are tracing the same surname

I have clicked on search for my ancesters and several members are

so I wont bother asking anymore :-S

Now, don't get in a huff!

You never know when someone will reply.

Just make sure that you provide some information ...... eg, I notice you have the name John Featheringham b.1886 in your tree. I also have a John Featheringham in my family born ca 1885. I wonder if it is possible that there is a connection between us?


If someone does respond, be prepared to answer questions re other names before any information is given to you.


One problem with GR is that they do not delete trees, only the tree owner can do that ................. so trees will remain long after the owner is dead or incapacitated.

The thing to do is for tree owners to make sure that a family member or close friend is given information on how to access the tree(s) on GR and to delete the tree if and when ........

Thank you you are more infomative than me :-)

Are you in need of assistance with your research?

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1362400?page=0

(adds above in case of that 1695 Marriage! (although seemed a mystery)

Chris :)

But there are other 'Threads' relating, could be a few...Joyce has had quite a struggle, between Devon and Scotland with her McDowell (and all it's variants of spellings!) families for a while.

Would be good if she did get a reply from another Member Researching same, hopefully with some answers!, fingers crossed...

Thank you all for your replies My ancesters from Devon and Ireland are correct its the Macdowalls from Scotland isnt

going back from

Patrick b 1674 m Kathleen Ferguson b 1673 and Eliz Martine b 1681

William Macdowall b 1645 m Grissel Beaton b 1650

James Macdowall b 1606 m Jean Hamilton b 1615

John Macdowall b 1580 m Margaret Kerr b 1585

I am getting so confused now as the dates are wrong and I may have left some children out

I have googled the Garthland Clan as I would like to go back furthur if anyone could help me please :-)

Might be stating the obvious here!, but think you need some research from relevant Archives Joyce ...(if nobody can help) at least you would have correct info.

Chris :)

(apologies but not got knowledge for Scottish Archives, try a google search for relevant area)

Thank you Chris :-)

Do you have Patrick's mother's name correct?

First name(s) Patrik
Last name McDowall
Gender Male
Birth year 1674
Birth place -
Baptism year 1674
Baptism date 24 Jun 1674
Baptism place EDINBURGH PARISH, EDINBURGH, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
Father's first name(s) William
Father's last name McDowall
Mother's first name(s) Grissell
Mother's last name Bethun ***
Place Edinburgh
County Midlothian


Her possible baptism? I think the surname would now be Bethune or possibly Beaton going by this.


Scotland Births and Baptisms 1564-1950 Transcription
Print transcription Add to tree
First name(s) Grissell
Last name Beatoun
Gender Female
Birth year 1647
Birth place -
Baptism year 1647
Baptism date 01 Aug 1647
Baptism place EDINBURGH PARISH, EDINBURGH, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
Father's first name(s) Alexander
Father's last name Beatoun
Mother's first name(s) Marjorie
Mother's last name Kennedie
Residence Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Place Edinburgh
County Midlothian
Country Scotland


Patrick's brother's baptism.

First name(s) James
Last name McDowall
Gender Male
Birth year 1671
Birth place -
Baptism year 1671
Baptism date 28 Jul 1671
Baptism place EDINBURGH PARISH, EDINBURGH, MIDLOTHIAN, SCOTLAND
Father's first name(s) William
Father's last name McDowall
Mother's first name(s) Grissell
Mother's last name Bethon ***
Residence Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Joyce, this is all very confusing. Who have you got back to who is most definitely an ancestor of yours? I assume you have a McDowall in your line that you can definitely trace back to?

Yes I have all this information except I had Grissel b 1650 also I dont trace the female parents side

Thanks for your help very appreciated

William mcdowall b 1645 d 1700 m Grissell bethune

James mcdowall b 1606-1614c d 1661 m jean hamilton