Moderators please note

[suttontrust]

 :)Webuser magazine did a feature in the latest issue on how to search for your ancestors.  Very basic stuff, but in the section on groups, message boards etc there was no mention of Rootschat.  The fame of Rootschat is spreading, but obviously not far enough.

[Ticker]

Hi suttontrust

Yes it is a bit strange that the mags haven't picked us up! 

The only mention I have seen of Rootschat was in the August 2004 edition of Your Family Tree Magazine (page 81).

Best wishes

Ticker

[casalguidi]

Nothing to do with the article you mention Suttontrust but I do wonder if people are put off by the "chat" part of the name.  I know that I certainly was as I had actually heard of rootschat quite some time before I ventured in.  It was the "chat" that deterred me - giving the impression that it was just a chatroom!  I don't have the time nor the wish to "chat" - particuarly with strangers - but am happy to assist other people with their family history and learn more about mine along the way.

Casalguidi

[Boongie Pam]

There are so many websites come and go I'm not surprised that magazines haven't made too much of a deal.  It's staying power that counts.

I'm sure as the size and quality of work done here continues to grow publicity is going to naturally come.  Spread the word...

I know some people have felt the same as you Casalguidi but there is room for everyone and the informality I think does help new-comers.

All the best,
Pam
 

[trystan]

No we havn't been picked up by the Glossies yet - which is  a shame - hopefully in time they will do a feature on us, or mention us in the same paragraph as other well know sites.

I think one concern for them is that they don't actually know who we are. If a few people wrote a small note to the editors of each of the magazine, I'm sure it would help. Perhaps mentioning how it has helped you would be good.

Casalguiidi - the "chat" part of RootsChat is a bit unfortunate in a way, yes. Some companies put a block on that word to stop their staff going to chat rooms and the like. It would technically be very easy to change the name of  RootsChat to something else, but the site would lose its identity.

Trystan

[MarkyP]

I also saw the article in WebUser, I was interested to see the screenshot of the yellow coloured page, I don't get that on my PC, it does appear to be an up to date shot as well! 

On a further note, I was going to suggest using social networking sites to spread the word, but I've just spotted Rootschat on Facebook! Just joined. 

[MarieC]

It would be great if the mags would pick us up.  But our membership is growing significantly, and I do think that personal recommendation is often the best way to get members.  I think lots of us recommend Rootschat wherever we go in genie circles - I certainly do!  One day, the mags will realise that we are not "fly by night" but are here to stay!

MarieC

[Ruskie]

Bit of a shame that rootschat didn't get a mention. I understand that some may be put off by the word "chat" - I'm not one for chat sites either. I did sniff around rootschat for a while before joining, but I did realise that it was a forum - (didn't even know there was a chat side to it till long after I'd joined).

I understand that it's probably not wise to change the name at this stage. Also it would be difficult to get a good catchy dot com address as most genealogical ones have been snapped up.

Perhaps an option may be to add a tag line which explains that rootschat is more than just chat. And of course Trystan's idea of spreading the word to all and sundry might help

[Guy Etchells]

Perhaps it is more to do with three/four (two could be counted together) of the the main UK family history mags running their own forums.
Cheers
Guy