Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK)

[dawnsh]

Hi

I know this has been posted on the boards for NZ and Canada but thought I would add it here.

http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/10/random-acts-of-genealogy-kindness-raogk-will-be-offline-for-some-time.html

Computer problems and ill-health have led to the site being off-line for the foreseeable future.

Dawn

[GeoffP]

Hi Dawn,
Sadly not just ill health.

"Bridget Schneider, who started RAOGK with her husband, Doc, in 1999, has passed away at age 64"

Geoff

[pinefamily]

I am not familiar with this site, but judging by the title, it sounds a lot like Rootschat.

 

Darren

[aghadowey]

I'm sure she, and the website, will be greatly missed. I used the help of volunteers there twice for U.S. records which were not available online.

First time I asked for help in finding a death in Connecticut (I had some family names and approx. dates from census records) and a wonderful woman got me the details from death certificates for the woman and several of her children (a few who died in infancy which weren't listed in any census records), marriage of a daughter, details from the local directories and newspaper obituaries.

The second time a person in Minnesota went to the archives there looking through asylum records for a recently discovered relative- then sent me pages of photocopies and only charged me for cost of copies. The medical records mentioned not only the man but his father and grandparents which confirmed details of a disease still in the family after at least 7 generations.

Yes, RAOGK was a lot like Rootschat where people go out of their way to help others find information that it would be difficult/impossible for them to get themselves 

[Framesmiths1816]

How sad it is to hear this news. RAOGK has helped me a more than a few times where kind volunteers have found information and photographed graves in countries I could not hope to visit.

I have also been an RAOGK volunteer from time to time when I had free time to devote to it. I was considering putting myself back on the list when I saw this message having come back to FH after a period away.

It will be missed.

FS

[scotmum]

Sad news indeed. I was a RAOGK volunteer myself, as well as receiving help from other volunteers.

Some sites have included the following in their message about Bridget's death:


"Bridgett's husband Doc has assured the RAOGK volunteers that Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness will be back online in the future - a promise he has made to Bridgett."

[GeoffP]

Very sad news indeed. I have benefitted greatly from this site and obtained so much help in searches in NYC. A volunteer did look ups for me, sent me transcripts and even obtained a cemetery burial record.
RIP Bridget.
Geoff

[Ringoroses]

By Kimberly Powell, About.com Guide November 12, 2011
 Random Acts of Genealogical Kindess (RAOGK), begun in March 1999 by Bridgett and Doc Schneider from Nebraska, is one of the best genealogical grassroots organizations out there, connecting over 4,000 volunteers in 40+ countries with genealogists who need someone "local" to help retrieve a record from the courthouse, look up a newspaper obituary, or take a photo of their ancestor's tombstone. The news that RAOGK was temporarily shutting down last month due to computer issues and the health of one of its administrators had kind words and offers of help pouring in from throughout the genealogical community.
 Sadly, the genealogical community learned today just how dire that health issue was. Bridgett Schneider passed away this morning. The world has lost a very kind and generous woman. Bridgett's husband Doc has assured the RAOGK volunteers that RAOGK will be back online in the future - a promise he has made to Bridgett. For now, some people are helping individuals through the RAOGK Facebook page. Bridgett has brightened the lives of countless people and will be dearly missed

Quoting this here from the link for others to see and, in the hopes that Doc sees it one day too, and gains comfort from knowing how important their project has become to the worldwide genealogical community.


"

Bridgett's husband Doc has assured the RAOGK volunteers that Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness will be back online in the future - a promise he has made to Bridgett

I'd also just like to send my sincere best wishes and condolences to Bridgett's family, and hope that they will gain strength from knowing that people the world over have already been touched by their kindness and, will be overjoyed if they can find the strenght to fulfil that promise.
 Regards,
Ann

[Flickgirl]

Hi Everyone,

It is such sad news about Bridgett - she will be sadly missed and did such a great service to the genealogy community with RAOGK alongside her husband Doc and all the volunteer staff.

HERE is another blog entry by Dick Eastman in tribute to Bridgett, HERE is a link to her obituary and a guestbook that her daughter Beth arranged and HERE is a listing on findagrave.com that another RAOGK volunteer kindly set up.

For anyone looking for a volunteer or for any volunteers wondering what is happening and how to keep RAOGK going at the moment there has been a reorganisation on Facebook as a stopgap measure.  There are now 3 Facebook groups - the original RAOGK group, a new group set up for American volunteers and those searching for volunteers across the States and a second new group for International volunteers and those searching for help with international queries.  Here are the links to all three for anyone who is looking for them:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/33868082803/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/raogkUSA/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/raogkinternational/

I'm sure we can keep Bridgett's vision alive there for the time being until Doc is able to bring the original site back - for right now though all my thoughts are with him and his family.

Regards,

Michelle