Paying back

[Gone]

adding to that, i think its so helpful even if you dont ask questions just to read through topics and get ideas of where to search and what to look for. its helped me enormously to think of other ways to approach problems. only when i can't see a way round or its a subject i know little or nothing about do i ask, and someone always has an answer.

[pinefamily]

Rishile,
I think you have nailed it in your thread post. The thing is, we probably haven't really thought about why we do it, it's just good to help others. And I don't think its unique to genealogy, as Hulme-griff touched on with the music site post.
I encountered the same helpful attitude when I contacted an antique clock collector, who had on his website biographical data about one of my wife's ancestors. I used that as a starting point, and then contacted him to correct a couple of points. He was helpful, and also grateful that I took the time to send him more information.
I also have to mention the various librarians and archivists from the more unusual establishments (other than normal record offices etc). Sometimes they have gone above and beyond a normal reply.

Darren

[Rishile]

Pinefamily – I didn’t mean for one minute that the only kindhearted people are involved with geneology – I actually believe the majority of people are kind and generous given the opportunity.  It just strikes me that on the various geneology forums on the internet, if you post a question, you get a response in a couple of minutes.  There always seems to be somebody available who is willing to give up their time to help you or to be prepared to explain something you don’t understand.  Maybe it’s because it is a growing hobby now and more and more people are involved.

Rishile

[pinefamily]

And I totally agree with you, Rishile. I only meant to show how people outside the asylum of us genealogists are willing to be helpful as well.
I use the word asylum because what other hobby do you know of that as soon as you crack one brick wall, you go in search of another one?   

Darren

[eadaoin]

I use the word asylum because what other hobby do you know of that as soon as you crack one brick wall, you go in search of another one?   

Hill walking?

"when the bear came over the mountain, what do you think he saw?

Another **&&**## mountain!"

eadaoin

[mofid42]

I don't really like asking for help but when I have I've found people are usually more than willing to help.

I remember when I first started family history back in 2000 and I wanted to order my first ever certificate but had no idea what to do (didn't know about forums like this then) so I phoned up my local registrars office, explained I was a total novice and the man very kindly spent ages going through the procedure with me, even giving me a rough outline of what I should write on the letter requesting the certificate (in those days you could still use local registrars to order certs)

The same happened when I wanted to purchase a microfiche reader. I knew nothing about them and didn't really know what I wanted or needed but the company I phoned were so helpful....the poor man must have spent over an hour going through everything with me.  But he was so patient and kind, by the time I hung up I felt I'd known him for ever! (he probably thought I was complete nutter!!! )

[Rishile]

what other hobby do you know of that as soon as you crack one brick wall, you go in search of another one?   

Darren

I think you're doing something wrong.  If I crack one brick wall, I find TWO more.

Rishile

[IgorStrav]

I think the other thing about wanting to help other researchers is the relief of finding a forum where other people are just as interested in the research as you are.

How many people have you spoken to, when you're in the middle of a search and have found an exciting clue, who look at you as if you're completely nutty?

I know all of you lie awake at night thinking of what you've found, and the implications, or where you can look next, or racking your brains for other ideas to break down a brick wall......I can't tell you how relieved I am, and how happy I am to help (if I can), someone else who is - amazingly - just like me.

I've just been doing some research with someone only very peripherally connected - as I am - with the people we are looking at.  And she and I have both been up at night worried about some of the things we've found.  I know you'll all understand!!

[hugatree]

So, to summarise, we love the whole damn shaboodle of a mess we got ourselves into and couldn't live without the folk who're helping to straighten it out, or at least make it bearable!!!