Look up request etiquette

[Pejic]

I appreciate that a "request" is not an order, but what is the next step if a request does not get a response, do you just post it again or can you ask why it is not being answered?  and how long to wait before assuming it is being ignored?

[KGarrad]

Possibly (probably) you haven't provided enough information for a search to be completed?

I have come across 2 requests aleady this morning, where insufficient information was given.

And, not wishing to spend hours looking through hundreds of "John Smith"s in the hope of finding the correct one, I simply ignore the request.

Other reasons I (personally) ignore requests:

1. It's in an area or timeframe of which I have insufficient knowledge/resources.
E.G. Scotland! I have none of my tree in Scotland, so I don't subscribe to sites such as ScotlandsPeople.

E.G. Pre-1837 - I don't maintain copies of parish registers. Largely because the parishes I would be interested in do not seem to be available.

2. The subject line doesn't "grab" my attention!


Maybe it's just me, but just ask yourself if you would attempt to research a request posed by others, just from the information on the posting.

[aghadowey]

There are lots of reasons why a request doesn't get answered quickly. In addition to the ones listed above it may be that the information you are looking for simply doesn't exist (such as, 'I'm looking for the birth certificate of Mary Ryan born in Ireland in 1803'- registration of births didn't start until 1864 so there will be no birth certificate for anyone to find).
It might also be that the right person hasn't come along to answer your request or post advice.

Two points-
1) do NOT repost your request. Duplicate posts only cause needless confusion and work for those trying to help.
2) do not assume a post is being ignored if there no replies yet. Sometimes it can be weeks, months or even years before someone posts details for you. Just be patient 

[dollylee]

A perfect example of aghadowey's second point is this thread.  A two and 1/2 year wait and then amazing results!!

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,339147.0.html

I think my favorite post of all time.   

dollylee

[aghadowey]

Just having a look at your unanswered requests (you've only joined in April so it's not been that long)-
1) Gloucester grave stones- you've asked if anyone's heard of a book whose title you can't remember. Difficult to answer without the title but someone might come up with some suggestions
2) Davies and Pugh at Kerry, Montgomeryshire- probably difficult to find details of the parents of a couple married in 1817 which is why there's been no reply
3) Vaughan of Melin Griffith married Elizabeth at Lea, Gloucs- looking for maiden name of woman married in 1724- perhaps no records exist
4) More Evans in Carmarthenshire- again, perhaps no records exist
5) German ex-pow killed in Moscow traffic 1951- I'd be doubtful that any records would be available online and not having the surname doesn't make ot any easier
6) Miss Frances Haines - Hampstead Norris- looking for someone born well before 1800 and will probably be difficult to find details
7) Head married Maskell in Yattendon 1783- same as above
8 ) Sir Kenneth Hill 1870-1890- you've posted this on N.Z. Completed board by mistake (I've asked N.Z. Moderator to move it to the main board for you)
9) Charles and Ann Howell- looking for a marriage which probably took place before 1767
10) Elizabeth Jones married John MacGregor 1851
11) Russia pre-1917 revolution - Kapirin- Russian reciords for this period will be difficult to track down
12) John MacGregor 8-1-1820
13) Ledgingham Murphy- it's been read 84 times so far so perhaps rthe right person to help just hasn't come along
14) Thomas Price married Bridget Harries 1698
15) Harriet Maria married Jonathan Colebourne 1777, Kintbury
16) Moscow: Kapirin, Pavlov, Spiridonov.- this isn't a forum for tracing living relatives but I suspect the fact that Russian records aren't readily available (online or offline) is the reason no one has replied
17) Tidbery/Tidbury at Shaw early 1700's "Does anyone have access to Shaw records which might pad out what I already have please?"- possibly not
18) Isaac, Jacob implications- posted less than an hour ago so not time for replies yet

This is out of over 40 requests in the last 2 months. Your posts are all clear and concise with names, dates and places included and titles are also good so you aren't doing anything wrong but just need to wait for replies. While you're waiting have a look at the Resources on the boards where you've posted (if you haven't done so already) for information and links in that particular county/area.

[danuslave]

Hi Pejic

Given the dates in some of your requests, you seem to have done a lot of research already, so you probably know your way around the resources.

While you're waiting for replies you could look round the rest of RootsChat and see if you can help someone else.   

Linda

[Pejic]

danuslave - Most of my research was done years ago, when it meant traipsing around the country trying to persuade vicars that you were not an agent for LDS trying to steal his souls, my internet knowledge is thin (though getting better thanks to many helpful suggestions from rootschatters).  I read "unread posts since last visit" and add whatever I can, also I searched all rootschat for all my questions before posting anything.

agadhowey - thanks, but I was specifically seeking guidance about a lookup request (I think I have only made 1).  Most of my other posts are more to do with saying "Here I am, are you anywhere near", but even then some chatters have been able to supply valuable information and sources.

Kgarrad - thanks, but my look-up request identified the people, the district and the volume and page number

[aghadowey]

Looked through your previous posts again and can't find which lookup request you mean 

[Pejic]

aghadowey - I have checked that it is still there with no reply, despite other later requests being dealt with.