Welcome Johnrs
Many of us on here do not use the Chatroom (called Chatterbox on Rootschat), we just use the different threads to post or try to answer questions.
To put up a request, just go to Forum and choose where you want to put your request. Either in beginners, or under the particular County your ancestors came from. You'll soon get the hang of it.
We're all very friendly and no-one minds helping out with searches. After a while, you'll find you too, will be helping out other newcomers.
Lizzie