Genealogy Chat

I have just realised that every post or thread that you make on Genes Reunited can instantly be seen by anyone who uses Google or a similar search engine.

All you need to do to prove this is enter your Genes board name into the Google search bar and press enter.

Better watch out what you write.

Doesn't work for me Jonesey. I tried my name and also Jonesey. Nothing.

Margaret,

Here is one that you made on 29/8/2010:

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards.asp?wci=thread&tk=1237754

There are 35 pages of yours

I found a few but anyone can read threads on Genes without logging in.
As a test I found that you are involved in 77 pages of threads.
Did you know that free members can "request review".

Have noticed too that it works...... lol

I know that we are all bored but "My threads" are 300 pages and I must have deleted as many again.So searching only finds some.

OK, but why doesn't it work for me?
Edit: Duh, I got it, I have to enter my name and Genes Reunited,

Genes Reunited – Family History Records and Family Trees
10 Aug 2010 ... It seems that Margaret Manson has solved that problem. ...
www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards.asp?wci=thread&tk=1234373

How can you access a thread that no longer exists?

Someone brought this up on chat a while back. That's why some people delete their posts quite quickly.

Does this really matter though? Hardly a confidential site is it!
Jan

Jonesey

Ginny told me of this a little while ago - it you have a unique name for example I used Ireneinspain - it comes up on Google first few entries - but it yoy use a very common name such as Irene or Susan , Robert etc they are there but lost in the muddle of all commonly used names

I asked GR on FB about this use of my posting and searches etc to what I thought was a closed membership only community
Only to be greeted with " Yes Irene isit is so wonderful the the whole Internet can help with the search for your family"

In reality they make the posting open to attract membership - using members information provided as bait for people googling John Smith Dorset 1857 -


The boards are a marketing tool


Irene

Absolutely. There used to be a privacy advice thread about this very thing.

And that is why I have never been happy about names and dates of living people being posted on this nor any other site.

Found it - called Internet Safety -
http://www.genesreunited.co.za/boards.asp?wci=thread&tk=966721

Hi Jonesey,
I must admit I was bit surprised when in desperation I googled the name of one of the ancestors I was having trouble finding info about and lo and behold up came the posts I had put on here for you guys to help me, including the bits about possible "skeletons in the cupboard" so it pays to beware, thank goodnes the individual is long gone and no-one has been in touch to say that it had upset them. So failed again!!!!! lol M

I looked in the T&C and it does say it is available to all and sundry

When I was changing my board name I tried to do some " curly bits " and keyboard none alphabet characters - all have been stopped and spaces
I assume this is because it is unlikely footless would be googling @@Irene£&? - so GR may loose a possible member
So best to use a very common Christian name or something like
davidbeckham , moonlanding tonyblair, or simply Anne

It does indeed -

"Any posting, including but not limited to the family tree details and/or message board postings you submit to the Genes Reunited Service (including any personal information you post) may be able to be viewed by non-Member internet users around the world including via internet search engines. We advise that you never reveal via the Genes Reunited Service any personal information about yourself or anyone else (for example: telephone numbers, home addresses or email addresses) which you do not want to be visible to third parties. You are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your details when using the Genes Reunited Service."