Genealogy Chat

A little courtesy goes a long way. It would be nice if people would acknowledge help given freely by others. It doesnt bother me, as I have always received acknowledgement. I always thank people for any help given. I have noticed a small percentage who ask for a look up, the answer appears, and you hear no more from them. Just think of Lucy, and all those look ups she has done. Bent over her computer trying to find elusive ancestors, then being totally ignored by the person requesting it. I appreciate that acknowledgement may have been sent by email rather than on the board, so if that is the case, then I will get off my high horse.

Carol if you look at your request headed "Now What?" you have not written a Thank You, I'm sure you have thanked the people direct, I think this happens a lot of the time. I often get personal emails. I think most people are really polite and Thank the "looker uppers" Lynda

When I offered to do 1851 and VRI lookups I had about 60 enquiries and about 95% of those responded by email whether I managed to get information for them or not. Others responded on the message boards, so courtesy is out there and being shown. Jacky

I sometimes wondere about this when I was being helped. Is it better to be public or private about the thank you. I tend to opt for the private thank you because my own experience on the few ocassions where I have helped people is that afterwards I have forgotten where I helped people. I just look around the messages and help if I can, I rarely remember where I have contributed. If people then thank me publically I may never know. I have assumed that other people are like that so I believe that a personal e-mail is a more effective way of thanking someone.

On the occasions that I have been helped I have tried to remember to send an e mail and put on a public thank you. that way I am sure that the person sees it. Ann Glos

I must admit I have never thought of the method to say thank you at all! I usually resond in the same way that I have been given the help (if that makes sense) i.e if they post help on this board, that is where I thank them , and they send me an email, I reply to that. I think it is true that many people thank others directly so that it is not seen, at the end of the day does it matter, as long as the two people involved are happy? regards Maxine

At the end of the day, I think we all appreciate a little help now and then, especially those new to our hobby. Sorry if I upset anyone, I was probably just having a bad heir day. (or should that be ancestor?)

Just to let you know Carol You didn't upset me I'm un upsettable (most of the time) At least we all know now how we go about thanking in different ways. Think most of the people on this site are just nice and friendly. Hope your bad heir day gets better!! Lynda

I've had numerous people help me on this list and for that I am very greatful. I always try to remember to put a thank you for any help in my request. If someone is able to help me - I usually send them a private e-mail to thank them for help. If it a "one of type of question" ie see guest board when I was asking if someone could tell me when I joined - I sent an e-mail to that list thanking the person. I think most people acknowledge the help - but to keep the messages from getting so very long - send the thank you privately. If I am reading a subject and someone has helped another person, I am certainly not going to pre-judge someone because I don't see a thank you. Have a good day and thank you to everyone who has helped me in the past Penny

I have found that most people that I have helped will make a thanks on the message board.When i help someone I take a note of the last six digits at the address along the top,If I want to check or add more info I go to the top at the addresses, double click the mouse along the adress and then put in the six digit number.Click 'go' at top right hand side, this will take you to the thread. Hope this makes sense. Mary P.S this thread is 290170

Mary, thanks for the tip on how to find a particular message thread again - I hadn't thought of looking at the number. Judith

Hi there Mary Thanks for the great tip on thread numbers - something I hadn't known. Liz