RootsChat.Com
Beginners => How to Use RootsChat (Please don't post requests here) => Topic started by: DCR on Thursday 03 June 10 01:12 BST (UK)
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I have been researching my family history since 1995 and have probably used every single forum available to genealogists since then. But I have NEVER come across a site like this - utterly confusing and completely impossible to use!!! Nothing is clear and nothing is explained. I cannot work out how to post a new topic on a surname page or anywhere else. I give up! Good luck to the rest of you.
For the record and in case anyone wants to reach me, my surname interests are mainly:
WHITE - Surrey and London, UK, 18th C
LOCKWOOD - Doncaster & area, 18th C
PRATT - Laois, Ireland, 18th & 19th C
HENDERSON, Dumfriesshire and Edinburgh, Scotland, 18th & 19th C
Diana Robinson (*)
(*) Moderator Comment: Personal details removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
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Hi Diana :)
Don't give up - the fact that there are so many of us using this site proves that it's not impossible to fathom! You've already posted 5 messages yourself, so you must be doing something right.
All you need to do is to take yourself to a board that you think is most relevant to the query you want to post, click on "New Topic" at the top of that board, and write your message. Then you wait for replies to come in.
Is there something in particular that you're trying to do, and that's not working for you?
Cheers
Prue
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P.S. Have you looked at the "How to use Rootschat" board?
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/board,287.0.html
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Hello Diana,
Sorry to hear that you feel the way you do.
I am an old bloke now and run up against a brick wall from time time re this genealogy research,especially in the'how to' dept but I've always found an answer in Rootschat not to mention the overwhelmiing help from others so my suggestion to you is to LOOK !
Some things can be frustrating for sure but from what I've seen on Rootschat since I've been here, anything regards research can be obtained on this site and I can't agree with your complaints.
Perhaps you are trying to be too independant ?
Good luck anyway and put your genealogy problems out here ! I just know someone will help you.
Cheers for now,
Arty 8)
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Hi Diana!
I know exactly what you mean - I felt the same way at first it felt so confusing. Rootschat can be VERY overwhelming to start off with, it moves so fast and there's too much to follow - but that's cos it's so full of useful stuff! And the people here really are fantastic, really helpful and knowledgeable - if you can stick with it for a bit, I'm sure you'll find it and them as useful and rewarding as the rest of us.
Just give it a go - type in one of your genealogical problems right here, a brick wall, a missing census, a missing marriage...whatever, I'm sure you'll be amazed at the level of help you receive.
Best wishes,
Ann
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Hi Diana.....
Please bear with us....
This is the BEST site bar non,. when I started I only had a address where my mother was born, in 1917.....I am now back to 1750's with that branch...and they are Hughes ...in Liverpool !
You will be guided all the way....promise....
JeannieR
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Diana has been a member since 2006 and has posted both requests and replies in the past.
Nothing much has changed in that time, so perhaps it is something specific that's proving confusing, as Prue suggests?
Ask away Diana - we'll help if we can!
:)
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Just to add my little bit :)
I'd not seen Diana's request on the Dumfries board until this thread and I have tried to help but I've not found anything substantial so far.
I hope I've helped in some way :-\
Diana seems to be able to post on the correct boards and reply so I'm not sure what the problem is ???
Gadget
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This is a super site to use with everyone willing to do lookups and answer questions etc. I have had many bits of info especially from parish registers which I have been unable to look at. Dont give up.Find the county you are intersted in---post a query and see what happens. Everyone is so helpful .
Ringrose
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I must admit that since I joined this site last year I have found some things rather strange and difficult to use.
For example, if someone makes a post on the Lookup Requests of a county board why can't I attach an image in my reply? However, if the original post is made on the county board (but not in Lookup Requests) I can then attach an image in my reply. As a result, on some occasions I have been unable to provide a full reply (images can't be attached in the PM system).
Personally I have found some of the boards very helpful but others extremely disappointing.
Nigel
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For example, if someone makes a post on the Lookup Requests of a county board why can't I attach an image in my reply? However, if the original post is made on the county board (but not in Lookup Requests) I can then attach an image in my reply.
That would be to stop you from posting images!!
But that's a discussion for another day (yesterday, I think it was!)
;)
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That would be to stop you from posting images!!
But that's a discussion for another day (yesterday, I think it was!)
But why can someone start a thread in Lookup Requests with an image but nobody reply with an image? And if that person starts the same topic in the same county board but outside the Lookup Requests no problem arises.
Very strange ...... ???
Nigel
Off topic - PM sent
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For example, if someone makes a post on the Lookup Requests of a county board why can't I attach an image in my reply? However, if the original post is made on the county board (but not in Lookup Requests) I can then attach an image in my reply. As a result, on some occasions I have been unable to provide a full reply (images can't be attached in the PM system).
Personally I have found some of the boards very helpful but others extremely disappointing.
Nigel
This is because a look up request is just that and to post an image of a look up usually breaks copyright.
On the main county board it is assumed that attached information is not as the result of a look up and so is less likely to break copyright..
David
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I think all sites can be confusing when you first join them but dont give up. This is a large site with many forums and sub forums so it is bound to be a bit confusing when you first join. I joined Rootschat in 2004 and this is probably the best website concerning genealogy online. I have enjoyed every moment of my time on here.
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Hello again,
I will apologize for venting my frustration at this list the other day. I appreciate all the replies offering encouragement and help. Although I still feel that it is confusing perhaps I will try a little harder to figure it out. Probably my difficulty comes from seldom using the site, so that each time I do I have to start from square 1. The fact that so many of you find it very useful is encouraging so I'll keep trying.
I see that this thread has turned into a discussion about posting images - how did that happen??
Best wishes,
Diana
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I see that this thread has turned into a discussion about posting images - how did that happen??
Best wishes,
Diana
Beacuse Nigel agreed that he too found it slightly confusing,he especially wanted to know why he could attach an image in one place but not in another.
You will find that if you search the boards- one persons question often answers someone else's query ;D
Hope you have fun here-when you get the hang of things ;D
Carol
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Hi Diana
I do agree that it can be confusing, but I 'defected' from another site as I find this one quicker and generally more friendly.
What confused me was, when I looked at unread posts, if I wanted to return to them, they has 'disappeared'.....but of course, they were now not unread posts....so I have to search for them in the relevant forum - (unless someone had replied to them in between). You do get used to it.....and it is very quick!!
Sue