Put Their Details (Names etc) in the First Post

[Gwil]

I call in on this Forum quite often now as i feel, like others, that I can sometimes assist with many of the enquiries.

Is it at all possible to pin this post ( or a similar one) at the top asking enquirers to put in what details they have already e g a name instead of 'my grandfather.great uncle etc etc ' in the first post. It would make life much easier in trying to help/guide them.
This is not having a go at any poster in particular, merely an attempt to avoiding having to extract such information over three or four posts.
Should someone not wish to provide details( not many I'm sure)then an answer in a general term can be given.

What do others think?

Gwil

[kooky]

I agree. I always try to give as much info. as possible. How are people going to help if they don't know who, when or where?
Kooky

[ricky1]

Hi
I think we had a discussion on this a few months ago, but carnt find the thread.

ricky

[Pels.]

I think it's everything in moderation.

Nothing is more infuriating than spending ages searching for whoever and then to find the person who made the request is holding quite a lot of information back for whatever reason.

On the other hand too much information can be quite off putting, it's really a case of trying to create the right balance! 

[kerryb]

Sometimes the information might be coming from more than one source. 

No that's not very well explained.  I put a post on here once asking for information and a couple of days later someone contacting me outside of this site with a bit more information, in the meantime I got an answer on Roots and I was able to add the new information.

However I do agree with you Gwil, as much information as possible to help searchers would be great.

Kerry

[Beth86]

I tried to include as much information as I can, but sometimes I forget things.  And then I get reminded and think oh $h!@ I should have included that.

[manmack]

i think gwil means the lack of info in the posters original posting,LIKE THIS.
ime looking for info about my grandfather in ww1.

the poster hasnt given us a name or anything else,so you then end up chasing them for a name etc,

mack

[kerryb]

mack

So obvious I missed the point LOL 

But yes a few more details than that would be a good idea, but then I guess it depends if you actually want an answer!

Kerry 

[aghadowey]

In addition to some basic details like name, age, regiment, etc. (whatever poster already knows) it would also be helpful if they would ask clearly what they are looking for or hope to find. A lot of time can be wasted when you send someone information on the person they are looking for and the response is that they are really looking for something completely different about the person.