Subject should mean SUBJECT

[lizdb]

I am usually drawn to the posts with the slightly vague headings like 'Can anyone help?' or 'I'm frustrated' etc, rather than those with a specific subject.
I do not have access to any info other than the free ones, so cannot help with the specific ones like 'Fred Boghouse in Toytown in 1851"
But I am willing to throw in suggestions, ideas etc based on experience, as to how folks might find different ways to approach problems. And I do have plenty of time at present, so I am willing to look through indexes quarter by quarter for people, even though they could do it themselves as it is free.

What I find frustrating is the posts that read along the lines of ' I would like to find more about Fred Bloggs who was born in about 1862, and might have married a Freda, and may have had one or two children'
There seem to be an increasing number of them. Please put WHAT you are wanting to find out - are you working back or forwards - is it his parents or his children you would be most interested in. Also, put all you do know about him - to have come across him in the first place you must have some definite info! And finaly put where you have looked already - have you actually tried to find a more definite birth date, have you looked for him in the censuses? Are you a complete novice who would welcome advise on how to do these basics, or have you exhausted the basics with no results?

Sorry - I do go on!!!

[Necromancer]

 

[DollyH]

I must agree with those who argue for an explicit subject line.  I know quite a bit about the Halifax district of West Yorkshire, and would be immediately attracted to topics such as
 
Smith, Brighouse 1891

or even

Lookup Brighouse

and the like [even though I don't have facilities to Look things up], but I would certainly ignore the vague and trendy

Help wanted

even when it appears in Unread Since my Last Visit lists.

And even when people are new, can they not go back and amend their heading to something useful at a later time?

Dolly

[always ready to moan, especially about poor spelling and grammar]

[Maryvera]

I really did not expect my posting to generate so many replies!
Clearly, we searchers after family history, are all very different in our approaches to this absorbing and time hungry pursuit. Unfortunately some of us may have less time than others to spend on the RootsChat message boards.
I am relieved to know that I am not the only one who prefers a direct, specific approach from the subject line entered onto the Boards.
Would that I had time enough to peruse all the unspecified and "vague" queries  I have followed, thinking that I could perhaps help, only to find them way outside my own area of interest or knowledge.
Good Luck to anyone using the site  and Many Thanks to those who have responded to my own requests for help and information.

[Sisterjane]

Hi Maryvera

One of the things we love on Rootschat is a good debate without it turning into world war 3 like it does on other sites and we all have different ways of seeing and doing things and that is what makes Rootschat so popular and successful and long may it stay this way 

Joe

[trish251]

Hi Maryvera

One of the things we love on Rootschat is a good debate without it turning into world war 3 like it does on other sites and we all have different ways of seeing and doing things and that is what makes Rootschat so popular and successful and long may it stay this way 

Joe

Very well said Joe - it seems we like to differ - and not only that but we agree to differ - and that is rare in any philosophy  language or endeavour   

Trish

PS I do like to investigate the ones that say "Can't find grandma" - perhaps I spend too much time in the past   

[ozchook]

Call me old fashioned, but what bugs me is the lack of a simple 'PLEASE' in some postings for assistance. Most Chatters are courteous though, with a 'please' and 'thank you'.
Grumpy Old Irene

[J.J.]

    Sometimes, if the query has never had an answer, I do p.m. them to suggest  changing the subject line to something that will catch a certain researcher's eye...some have found that a plea does work, as proven above     However, I agree that if there are already a dozen requests for the same person, and then a "Where are they?" or "frustrated"  subject line for the very same people search can be really frustrating.... as then new researchers waste resources on something already rehashed and rehashed...  
  But, we'll live...and they'll learn, as time passes   J.J.
   

[J.J.]

ozchook, we must have posted at the same time...Hmmmm, I have always liked the thank you replies and hopefully remembered to say thanks often, myself...but don't know that I've ever said or expected a please....
It is a forrum, after all, and these are "queries", so not so sure that would be a requirement...?  ?    J.J.