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RootsChat was launched on 31st. December 2003
see [About us] (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/aboutus.php)
and RootsChat in the Public Eye (http://surname.rootschat.com/lexicon/rc-media.php#westernmail)
Slowly it grew:
1 year old (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,27110.0.html) ..... 2 years old (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,115557.0.html) ...... 3 years old (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,202887.0.html) ...... 4 years old (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,274948.0.html) ......
and, now, on Wednesday 31st. December,
RootsChat will be 5 years old !!
On 14.12.2008 the statistics showed that we have
Members: 70841 • Posts: 1937360 • Topics: 296185
Today (29.12.2008 at 10:30) the statistics tell us that we have
Members: 71539 • Posts: 1955376 • Topics: 298004
So within two weeks we have 700 new members, over 20,000 new replies and nearly 2000 new topics.
But that is just numbers.
What the statistics don't show is the quality of the help being offered by RootsChatters.
And what the statistics also don't show is the sense of community that makes RootsChat such a successful family history forum.
As in previous years RootsChatters have accepted challenges to find out more about people and things that caught the eye, the heart and the imagination ....
for instance:
Topic: ANZAC puzzle (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,300953.0.html) / Are you a relative of Alfred Parr ? (http://surname.rootschat.com/lexicon/rc-media.php#anzacpuzzle)
Another recurring theme was the "Scavenger Hunts" (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,259516.0.html), where RootsChatters make great efforts to knock down particular brick-walls.
The sense of community was also very noticable on the Totally Off Topic Bit (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,286.0.html) and in the Chatroom (http://), where RootsChatters could let their hair down, relax from the rigours of Family History, vent a few feelings, find comfort and support, have a few laughs,
........ and go back refreshed to the rigours of Family History :)
On the "technical side" we have expanded the moderating team,
re-written the (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/Themes/history/images/english/help.gif) pages (http://),
and expanded the RootsChat Reference Library (http://surname.rootschat.com/lexicon/) (Lexicon, Useful Links, Time Lines, Topic Catalogues)
RootsChat grows and grows: sometimes it gets a bit slow, due to it's popularity ("a victim of it's own success") ....
but it's well worth waiting for .....
So, raise your glasses and join me in saying
Happy Birthday RootsChat
and
Thank You, Sarah and Trystan
for having the idea,
and then having the courage, the strength and the patience to implement it.
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Further reading:
Topic: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RootsChat ! or: "Then he said, 'why not do it?' so we did."
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,115557.msg507377.html#msg507377
Topic: The RootChats Experience
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,194252.0.html
Topic: The RootsChat Phenomenon
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,194133.0.html
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Yes congratulations Rootschat! Long may you continue!
Thanks to all the Mods for all your hard work in keeping this site by far the best on the internet which is why so many of us keep coming back :) :) :)
I've just knocked up 4 years on Rootschat and it hardly seems like yesterday I was first told about this great site where I might be able to find some help with my family history and boy was that true ;D ;D ;D
Kerry
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Hi
Over the last few years I have had what I thought at the time were "off days" but in nearly every instance I have come on here and been blown away.
I have had many, many "brick walls" knocked down, for which I am most grateful but most importantly of all, I have had my belief in human nature restored. Everyone is kind, thoughtful and most of all generous of their time.
Thank you to everyone for that, it is priceless
I wish everyone a really happy and peaceful 2009
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Congratulations, Happy Birthday, and very many thanks to all who involved in the creation and running of this fantastic site!
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8) Hi Bob, thanks for bringing this forward..... :P :P
Glasses up and toasties for many, many more years.
Still the bestest site on the web.
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A whole year passed already it went very quickly thanks to Rootschat. So many new friends found and so much added to the tree all thanks to the most wonderful family history site on the internet
A big thank you to Tristan and Sarah and all the mods and fellow chatters for everything.
Many happy returns
Trees
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Happy Birthday Rootschat and Thank You Tristan and Sarah!
Long may Rootschat continue. ;)
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Happy Birthday RootsChat Happy Birthday Rootschat Happy Birthday RootsChat
Thank you Sarah and Trystan for the best thing on the net! I have met so many lovely people that I like to think of now friends.
Thanks also to the Moderators, who don't always have an easy life! :D :D ;D You always do your job with patience and humour! :D :D
Best wishes
Judy ;)
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Congratulations.............and many more !
Nanny Jan
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Happy Birthday Rootchat!
Thanks to all the Mods, and all the wonderful people out there who have helped make this site a little haven from frustration, an inspiration for tired eyes, and a laugh for sagging spirits :)
Thanks to Trystan & Sarah for making this site possible, and long may it continue, for it is surely the BEST genealogy site around :)
Daisy Loo
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Congratulations! what a great site this is,always friendly ,helpful,great place to pop into get great info & leads.Long may it continue Happy Birthday & A Happy New Year to you all regards Nipy
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Happy Birthday Rootschat.
A big thank-you to Trystan and Sarah, all the mods and all rootschatters on here for making
this the friendly site that we are all lucky enough to enjoy and be part of :) :)
Long may it continue ;D ;D ;D
Sue
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Happy Birthday Rootschat
Many thanks to Trystan and Sarah for their brilliant site, to the Mods for the great work they do and to all the Rootschatters who make it the great site it is. Heres to many more. ;D
Crystal
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RootsChat - I can remember you when you were a mere baby! <Tapping on little head smilie> :D
Work hasn't been the same since I found you! Can't thank Sarah and Trystan enough 8) ;D
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Yes indeed. Happy birthday and thankyou trystan and sarah.
I have spent hundreds of happy hours in here and look forward to many more.
Jan
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Happy birthday!
And thanks to everyone who has helped me. At points I've thought that getting a certain piece of information might be impossible or at least jolly hard... and I've ranted about it on here only to find some angel has managed it. And the fabulous photo people too! I still don't know how they do it...
Big hugs to all!
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Couldnt agree more.....thanks a million Trystran and Sarah and the Mods
many Happy returns rootschat
Jed
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Happy Birthday and Thank you so much for this Wonderful site ;D
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"CONGRATULATIONS" Sarah and Trystan what an achievement. Thankyou so much for creating an awesome sight for all of us to discover our pasts. To all the moderators,
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oops I was not ready to send my message. So, To the moderators "THANK YOU" for all you do to hepl us. To all the people who have helped me. I really appreciate the time you take to help. Without you all I would not have learned so much about my ancestors. I am taking a break from research for a while, but I hope to return soon
I hope all my fellow rootschatters had a wonderful Christmas and will have a "HAPPY NEW YEAR".
Kassie
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROOTSCHAT.
Rootschat is my 'bolt hole' from the daily routine, I can always be assured of something interesting to read or research for someone. I don't know what I would do without it :)
jane
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only 5 :o what will it be like when it grow's up? ;D i hope i'm around to find out!
the best site i've come across on the web, with the exception of the man.utd. website of course ;D ;D
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A very big thank you to Trystan and Sarah for all your hard work .. the effort involved in making RootsChat so successful can't always be easy.
Wishing RootsChat a happy 5th birthday and continued growth in 2009 .. ! :)
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And I'd like to add my thanks and best wishes to Trystan, Sarah, all the mods and all the Rootschatters who congregate here to help each other and swap info and knowledge!
It's not just the genealogy - there's a real sense of cameraderie (sp?) and it's just a fun place to be.
Whenever we go away on holiday the first thing I do when we get back is check the boards! (even before I check my emails! :D)
So, keep it goin'! And best wishes for the next 5 years! ;)
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Well said, Stoney. Seconded! ;D
meles
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Happy Birthday RootsChat :D
Well done to Trystan and Sarah for starting up what has become a very friendly, brilliant family history site.
A big thank you to all the mods who keep us in order ;)
Had a look at my profile and can't believe I've been here since March 2005 :o ;D
Susan :)
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FIVE ? Already ?
Wow ... what an achievement !
THANK YOU to Trystan, Sarah and all the mods ... where would our ancestors be without you all ?
:-*
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Hi
This is an excellenet site. I have been here since September 2004 and find everyone on here helpful, mods, admins and fellow members.
Ben
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Happy Birthday Rootschat!
Thank you to everyone who makes this such a wonderful site :)
Barbara
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Hi :)
I joined Rootschat 5 months after its conception and it never ceases to amaze me how people go out of their way to help, those of us who don't have as much access to information as we would like. The initial help I received in my early days was fantastic, and to watch the site grow has been a great credit, not only to Sarah and Trystan but all those who log in on a regular basis and those who keep coming back in the hope that they will one day find those elusive rellies.
HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY EVERYONE :D ;D
Keep up the good work.
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Happy Birthday Rootschat
Thanks for all your help so far and keep up the good work mods
Newbe
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Happy Birthday Rootschat.
Wonderful site :)
Thank you to Trystan, Sarah and Mods old and new.
This is where my researched kicked off with the help of many, discoveries have been found and I have made many also using the resource sites provided here. Have made friends ;D
Regards
lil
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;D Happy 5th Birthday Rootschat ;D
Cant believe the time has flown by so quickly,
I joined in January 2004,Rootschat had only just begun, :D
As my granny used to say !!!!!!!
my oh my how you have grown :)
Well done,congratulations to everyone. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Bennett
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HAPPY 5TH BIRDAY ROOTSCHAT
Thank you Trystan, Sarah and Mods for all your help.... you are brilliant.
What a wonderful site .... no wonder it is hard to shut the door ;D :) :)
Cheers
KHP :)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Happy Birthday Roots Chat and thanks to everyone for making it such a special place
Daizi
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Happy 5th Birthday Rootschat
Congratulations on your 5th Birthday, not sure whan I joined
as a member - but time certainly has flown - and I can not
imagine life without rootschat.
Jinks
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Name: jinks
Posts: 744 (0.531 a day)
Position: RootsChat Veteran
Date Registered: Sunday 27 February 05 23:26 GMT (UK)
Last Online: Today at 08:13:43
You can check your profile to see when you joined and all other info ...
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Happy Birthday Rootschat
Over the four years I've been a member on here I've had some wonderful and unexpected help, as well as hopefully given back in exchange.
Looking back is sometimes sad, I've made many friends on Rootschat and also lost a few, but that's life isn't it and I'm glad to have been around here to see it.
Thanks a lot Trystan and Sarah, we're grateful you gave us Rootschat, and also the Mods for keeping us on the straight and narrow - long may it continue.
Looking forward to a brand new year - Best wishes and good hunting to you all,
MaryA
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Thanks not only to Tristan and Sarah for the inspiration and tenacity to get Rootschat up and running, but also to all the mods and chatters who make this the great site that it is.
We have just had a young cousin from Oz staying with us for Christmas - a cousin we didn't know existed and with whom we were connected by a fellow Rootschatter.
Happy Birthday and many more of them.
Ellen
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HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY ROOTSCHAT
Thank you Trystan and Sarah for the brilliant idea of this site.
Thank you to all the Moderators for keeping this site on a level footing.
Thank you to each and everyone of you who have helped me in the past.
Here's to the next 5 years and beyond
Jean
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Congratulations to everyone concerned for making this such a friendly, informative and helpful forum.
My best wishes to all for a wonderful 2009 and the continued interaction from all over the world - to our mutual benefit.
Well done everyone - and thank you. 8)
Philippa
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'eh up, don't time fly ! Thanks to Bob, it really reminds us all of what a fantastic time we have all had whilst trying to research the ancestors.
In those first early days, I tried to answer every question posted and sweated when it was from "down south" but I was soon joined by Chris1066 who was to become the first of our fantastic moderators.
Trystan and I can not thank our lovely Moderators enough, Aghadowey, Arranroots, Berlin-Bob, Biker, Boongie Pam, Casalguidi, Chris in 1066Land, Dawnsh, Deadants, grub, JDGen, KarenM, Krisesjoint, Little Nell, PrueM, Rick, Rutti-Tutti, Sillgen, Ticker and Valda. We are all so lucky not only do they share their wisdom with us but they keep us well behaved too.
Lastly, thanks to all the RootsChat members, you have been fantastic, we have had RootsChat meets, competitions and we have all pried into your darkest family ecrets..
Most of all we have discovered that there is a mini-expert in all of us, those who have taken time to post a reply, Thank you very much, it takes guts to stick you neck out and make such an effort this what RootsChat is all about and makes us special :)
Happy New Year !
Love Trystan and Sarah xx
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Happy Birthday Rootschat, and thanks Sarah and Trystan for such a wonderful site.... and the wonderful community of Rootschatters that it has led to.
Here's to many more Rootschat birthdays...... :D :D :D
.....dee
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I'd like to add my thanks to everyone for their help and knowledge and Birthday Wishes to Rootschat.
Happy searching in 2009 and beyond.
AliceO
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Thank you to Trystan and Sarah for having the inspiration and the courage to go ahead with what has become the best resource available to family history researchers.
Thank you to Rick of the Suffolk Board who guided my light in this direction.
My daughter tells me that she could waste time on a 'social networking' web site - if only she could find the time.
I never think time on Rootschat is ever wasted, we achieve or discover or assist with every visit.
As Rootschat shares a birthday with my husband, it's a shame you could not have joined us on our lunch out at the coastal town of Aldeburgh, Suffolk today - however, I think we might have overwhelmed that little town if we had all turned up :o
Happy New Year everyone.
Pat ...
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Happy Birthday Rootschat.
A big thank you to Sarah and Trystan. :)
The people on here are magnificent. Certainly knocked a hole in one of my brick walls. ;)
My love to you all and remembering those that are no longer with us.
George
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Happy 5th Birthday Rootschat.
Thank you Tristan and Sarah for the very best place on the web.
This site was a Brilliant Idea
Being a member of this super club is the tops!
May we all have many more happy years of fun!
Rabbit B :) Wishing you all a very Happy New Year
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A big thank you to a great website.
I only found you all a few months ago when I was plastered up with a broken hoof! I don't know how I stumbled into Rootschat but I have had so much pleasure from the chatroom since doing so. I passed what would have been many a weary hour in great company all over the world. I have had a few brick walls demolished from the Australian friends and help from USA and New Zealand. Just amazing.
Congratulations to everyone who helps run this site.
All the very best for 2009.
Reverie
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Many thanks to everyone involved in making Roots Chat the best site of all!
Thank you,
Abiam
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happy birthday :-* :-* :)
I love coming on and reading through the unread posts seeing if any one is searching for the same as self and if i can help anyone. i just wish i had found you and joined sooner . there again i started out before you began how lovely it would have been to have asked for help back then when i was blundering around in the dark.
and what can we acheive as we all grow up lots an lots in all areas
so happy birthday roots chat and great hank you to the moderators - i have no idea how you manage it .
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Happy birthday Rootschat,
thankyou so much for being there and for all the great help.
Tristan and Sarah, you guys are tops ;)
Margaret
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To Trystan and Sarah, Congratulations on providing one of the best websites on the net for 5 years!! :) :) :)
Thanks for everything and thanks to all the wonderful people on Rootschat for their assistance!
Caz
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As a newbie, I'd like to add my best wishes for a happy birthday as well. This really is a great site, the chatters are so friendly and knowledgeable, and I'm amazed at the speed of response from all over the world. Long may it continue.
BumbleB :-* :-* :-*
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Happy Day... my joining timed it just right...
Any chance a bit of Birthday Cake?
;) Dave :)
PS Many Thanks... Glad to have discovered you ALL
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congratulations rootschat!
many thanks sarah and trystan and all rootschatters everywhere
i have had so much help, advice and even found close relatives
from a site that is totally free!
to everyone that has ever helped me thank you
i really do appreciate all the help
keep up the good work
berni
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Am Late as per!
Congrats to Trystan & Sarah (for having the idea and making it happen) and the Mods (for their hard work). Fab site! Is there a better ? Think not!
Long may it continue!
Ann
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Happy (Belated) Bithday RC from me too!!
How I wish I'd discovered it in 2003...
It took me until October 2005 to find it ;D ;D ;D
Romilly ;)
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congratulations to all involved
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We're pushing six years old now ...
Moderator Comment:
Topic: ** RootsChat is now 6 !! Happy Birthday !! **
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,426827.0.html