Beginners - how many F H sites should they join?

[Christopher]

How many Family History Forums would you recommend a beginner to join

I find RootsChat is one of the best sites on the net. If there are Forums for the places where your ancestors lived originally and where they settled if they moved from that place they might be worth considering too. Joining too many Forums can confuse the issue. Some people say that they've posted on so many they've forgotten where they've posted messages.

I'm certain many RootsChatters who reply to queries on a regular basis have had similar experiences to myself. The Rootschat post contains a bit of info but when you do some googling you find an earlier post on a different site which contains loads of information relating to the query to which you're attempting to provide an answer ... I usually provide a link to that post which should help other RootsChatters assist with that particular query. 

[LizzieW]

Christopher - Good idea to google your query first, to see if there is already a similar thread on here.  Sometimes, I know there is but just can't find it.  I'll know what to do next time.

Lizzie

[genjen]

When I first started researching online, I used Genforum, Ancestry and Scotland's People. The first two were so heavily biased towards researchers from the USA that I rarely found anything of much use - though there were some very helpful people out there. Scotland's People was excellent but I found that when it changed to Talking Scot, it lost something and I hardly ever use it now.

I do post on sites which are for specific areas of interest ( Yahoo groups for Yorkshire Dales, Peterhead etc) but Rootschat is almost always my first choice, knowing that it covers pretty much every aspect of family history research and that, in general, Rootschatters are friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable.


I think that it is only fair that new researchers are fully aware of what's available to them -but we know where they will end up!!


Jen

 

[Leralc]

the very first site i joined many years ago was rootsweb.....and other than paying a subscription to Ancestry.com/co.uk that was about it really and its a great starting point - dont join too many as you will defiantely get lost in your own posts.

i have only just joined this site, but it seems to be ok so far

[Christopher]

Hi Leralc,

Welcome to RootsChat.

Christopher

[Cell]

Hi,
I can only say how many F H  forums that I joined - one

Most of my research in the beginning and now  isn't on forums. I hit on rootschat back in 2004 by mistake.  I had such wonderful and kind  help  here to some of my silly questions - that I stayed. I  help when I can to other peoples questions, plus post my own questions . I have browsed other forums, but have I  no inclination to join, as many of them seem very argumentative to me, where the majority here at rootschat  are very helpful and courteous

Kind Regrads

[kooky]

I have been doing this family history stuff for nearly 10 years now.
I used all search engines at first, then joined 2 or 3 sites and forums.
They have mostly fallen by the wayside now.
Except Rootschat, where there is friendly help and information on every subject you can think of.
I do use Ancestry and FindMyPast.
Genuki is a useful site, but not one that you have to join.
Kooky

[Nick29]

Hi,
I can only say how many F H  forums that I joined - one

Most of my research in the beginning and now  isn't on forums. I hit on rootschat back in 2004 by mistake.  I had such wonderful and kind  help  here to some of my silly questions - that I stayed. I  help when I can to other peoples questions, plus post my own questions . I have browsed other forums, but have I  no inclination to join, as many of them seem very argumentative to me, where the majority here at rootschat  are very helpful and courteous

Kind Regrads

That is the strength of this forum - it appeals to both beginners and experienced users alike, and "silly" questions are never derided.  I visited other forums before finding this one, but this is the only one that I regularly use.

[kerryb]

I agree with Nick.  I have visited others but either the tone of some posters put me off or they just did not seem as well organised and easy to use as Rootschat, so for me its Rootschat only. 

Kerry