General Chat

Ive just joined GR and haven't really got very far. I have found quite a few very very close matches, with maybe a years difference in birthyear. Im just wondering if anyone who's had good success can advise me as to how much faith to put in near matches. I have ofcoarse sent messages to the tree owners but Im not expecting super-quick responses. Cheers in advance

Thank you for your reply Gillian. Unfortunately I dont currently have funds avaliable to start searching birth records etc. There is one user who has enough matches that I am sure we share relatives, infact Im pretty sure the user is my aunt! just basing that on the matches we have and the name of the user so fingers crossed. Thanks again

Hi Gray I'm the eternal optimist! No matter how long the long shot I'll give it a go. Even if it's not a match they could have been related - esp. if it's an unusual name. Most times you get a response but if you don't, don't worry about it. After all, the ones you're seeking can't go anywhere and if they left a paper trail you'll find them in time - with or without help.

Woody, cheers for the avice. I know so little about my family history that it can be hard to know which are the long shots and which are the dead cert's! Would be nice to go back as far as possible though. Gillian, lovely stuff Ill have a look at those as soon as Ive got a good couple of hours free. One problem Im having, is that even when I find a match Im sure will be a good'en, I dont know what to ask the user. Obviously I want to see their tree but other than that what kind of questions should I be asking?

Am I maybe crossing the line abit with my messages then. To be honest Ive been assuming people would give access to their tree's quite willingly, infact in most cases Ive sent a seperate request to see their tree.

Gray I am guessing you are new to genealogy? If so, please be careful with ANY information you get from anyone, be they close blood relative or complete stranger - people make mistakes. The only way to be certain is to check everything yourself, from primary documents, and I am afraid that this does mean buying certs. Of course, if your contact does turn out to be your Aunt, then she may already have certs etc which will save you a few bob! Sad to say that there are many trees, both on this site and on the internet, which are wildly inaccurate, consisting of guesses - not worth the paper they are written on. Develop good habits early by going back one stage at a time and verifying with certs - you are bound to get a surprise somewhere along the line, and if you miss this information then you could waste years doing someone else's tree! Above all don't be afraid to ask questions on here. Good luck OC

Thank you for your replies, Yes I am VERY new to all this and I dont know what I was expecting but what you say about mistakes and really needing cert's makes allot of sence. I only started this to cure some boredome at work! but Im getting quite into it. I personally would open my tree to any and all, but then again Ive only just started this and haven't put anything like the time into it that Im sure some have. Maybe if I dont hear anything a quick mail just apologising and explaining I dodnt realise people may be protective. Would hate to think Id miss finding some info just because I may of insulted someone! Oh well Ill just have to wait and see if I get any replies. Thanks again

Welcome Gray-just keep checking the boards & you'll end up as crazy as we all are!

Welcome to the site Gray, OC s advice is very good as I'm sure I have followed other trees thinking they were mine as has my brother, caz xxxxxxxxx

Hello Gray and welcome.. I never really had much luck with hotmatches. However today I was contacted with regards to a rellie, he has details going back to 1600's and doc's to go with them... Hayley x