Subject should mean SUBJECT

[Maryvera]

This is a plea to posters on all Boards to indicate as clearly as possible in the Subject Line what they are looking for.
Subject Titles like "Why can't I find auntie Lil? "or "Looking for Birth Certificate" and even worse " Frustrated" do not encourage me to look to see if I might be able to help. Please give, at the very least, a surname, date and place in your subject line.

[celia]

Hi Maryvera
don't forget some of these people are new and maybe don't know how to compose what they actually want in the short space.I do find it amusing at times though when i see things like "Has anyone seen  ??  ??" then go on to say she was living in ??  with her husband in 188? where did she go, and don't have any other information at all. The replies i could give to that would fill a funny book.

"I would help but my time travel passport has run out:

The subject should also be on P.M subject line, they get left till the last with me if there isn't one "Subject: No Subject.
You do have to have patients and understanding,and you defiantly need a sense of humour in this job

Celia

[SooCatt]

I'd have to say that if a subject line says 'can't find' or 'really fed up' or similar it makes me look to see if I can help.  I've certainly been at the point where this kind of heading would sum up the frustration I feel and so can sympathise with others in the same position.

It's personal choice at the end of the day - if you don't like what the subject line says you don't have to look.

 

Susan

[downside]

I think exactness is important on certain boards - especially the Techinal help board.  If someone posts a vague thread or topic then you can spend ages trying to find out what there problem is.

downside

[bearkat]

I think Soocat and downside are both right.

A catchy subject heading makes you look but it can be frustrating if you're not sure what information is being asked for or what the poster has already.

CAPITAL LETTERS for surnames really help.

[Sisterjane]

Oh yes it would be lovely if every look up read "looking for"

Fred Boghouses 36 Head b Red Plant     Occ Martian
Mabel Boghouses 35  wife b  "     "            "   Martian wife
10 kids all ages and birthplaces listed in order

Father Fred Boghouses b 1830....
Mother Mary    " ...........

GG Boghouses.....

Dream on baby............

Easy I agree..........but me I like the thrill of the chase 
+ I have got time on my hands to do this

Joe

[julianb]

but me I like the thrill of the chase 

Joe

The thrill of the chase - that could be the RootsChat motto!

JULIAN

[Gadget]

Oh yes it would be lovely if every look up read "looking for"

Fred Boghouses 36 Head b Red Plant     Occ Martian
Mabel Boghouses 35  wife b  "     "            "   Martian wife
10 kids all ages and birthplaces listed in order

Father Fred Boghouses b 1830....
Mother Mary    " ...........

GG Boghouses.....

Dream on baby............

Easy I agree..........but me I like the thrill of the chase 
+ I have got time on my hands to do this

Joe

Exactly Joe!

I tend to look  at 'unread posts since your last visit' and see where there have been no responses. If I have some info to offer, then I try to help those postings. Otherwise, I look on those boards where I have an interest and again look for those with few replies.

Subject descriptions do help but the question is the most important - and I try to understand and help even if it's a difficult one.

Gadget

[kerryb]

A catchy subject heading makes you look but it can be frustrating if you're not sure what information is being asked for or what the poster has already.

Hear hear!!! You can the best heading in the world but if you don't ask clearly what you are after nobody can help you.

Kerry