Genealogy Chat

Trailing through the 'trying to find boards' i came across someone asking for information on a family. the message was posted in oct 2005. I was thrilled because not only what she'd posted tied up with what i was researching i also had a photo that i wanted to share with her of our relative. I sent two messages and still 2 months later no response. If this lady is no longer a member of this site are my messages floating around going no where ? IF someone is no longer a member are their trees left behind ? best wishes Christine

In theory, people should still get an email from Genes, telling them that they have a message, even if they are no longer a member. However, if they happen to have changed their email address since leaving Genes, then obviously there is nothing Genes can do about that. Their tree will also still be on here, unless they have deleted it themselves. Some people don't come on to the site very often and I have had a response from a message 8 months after I sent it, so there's still a chance you will receive a reply. Kath. x

Christine, Even if they no longer pay to belong to the website they can still receive messages and if she logs onto the site she should see that she has messages from you on her GR homepage or via email notification. However, I am always amazed at how irregular some people are at checking their email! For sure if you have computer problems or are on holiday then the email won't get checked; but I don't know why some people take so long to notice they have emails! Many people must go online to shop on the internet, book holidays and stuff so you'd think they'd check their emails at the same time. After all, you wouldn't leave it that long to go to your doormat or postbox to see if any snail mail has arrived would you? Oh well, it takes all types to make a world I suppse! ;-) Cheers, Horatia

good question i have been having the same problem i have contacted several people numerous times knowing we have the same relatives i have even put in my personal email address in case they are unable to reply through genes with no answer it is such a shame you get excited for no reason

Then of course there is the possibility that they are no longer living! Pauline

HIya, the long and short of it is yes! if people are not able to get to the site on a regular basis, then it does take along time to recieve replies. If they are not a full memeber of the site they cannot reply to messages. If I am sending a PM, I always include My email addy if I am certain of the connection. I recently had a connection from the TTF board, 2yrs after I posted it.....so the system does work If you let your membership lapse, you can still add to your tree, Most members that do leave have the good sense to remove their tree, and this shows just one individual in it. Hope this helps Julie

Thanks everyone for comments.I suppose i am enjoying my research so much and still get excited if i get a match not realising that not everyone feels the same!!! But there are so many messages posted that i'm sure never get a reply so its very frustrating when you take the time to reply and its wasted. But i suppose we never know what is going on in peoples lifes and doing their family tree might not be on their priority list at the moment. well i'll keep waiting and hoping !! christine

Julie, If someone is no longer a member of the site, they CAN still reply to messages, they just can't initiate the contact. Kath. x

If someone has never been a full member they CAN reply. I have two accounts, one for my tree and one for hubby's. I only pay on mine but have had several contacts through the 2nd unpaid account. GR should have a system where you can see when a person last logged on to the site, then at least you would have some idea if they were likely to respond.

Kathleen, YES! I was about to say the same thing! Unpaid ex-members CAN reply to messages - they just can't initiate contact with anyone - so there's no excuse! ;-) They can also leave their tree on the website and reply to any enquiries about their tree but they can't initiate contact with any other member. Cheers, Horatia

I think that would be a good idea Helen. At least if someone hadn't been on the site for a few months, you probably wouldn't be expecting a reply too soon, although they should still get the email telling them about the message, so really it is only good manners to reply if at all possible, even if it's only to say you are now not interested in family history any more. Kath. x

It's sad when that happens. I have made contacts and offered to share lots of interesting information and never heard another word a few times. I've had the same problem on the Rootsweb boards.......usually someone has changed their e-mail address and can't be contacted. A little while ago I found a tree on Rootsweb which links into mine but the owner hadn't done anything to it since 2002 and the e-mail address no longer works. I could have given them several generations further back but it looks to me as if whoever set up that tree may have died. Sue