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My husband went to a Local Studies library a week or so ago for me (Aaaahh wasnt that nice of him). While he was in there a guy kept asking him questions he wasnt sure of the answers to, but he knew I'd know. So, he gets this guy email addy and says I'll help him!!!!! He said to me when he got home, you help folk on GR so why not this, OK I thought. So, I emailed him. Getting the info out of him of what it was he actually wanted help with, has been like pulling teeth. Then hubby says, thats why I put you onto him, couldnt understand what he was on about!!! Margaret

I couldn't agree more! I have got to the stage where I screen out all requests where too little info is given. I don't think it is too much to ask for a list of definite information already obtained such as certificates, known census details and known occupations. I have chased a chap who kept changing his forenames on the censuses but kept track of him as I had his occupation and wife's details. One other point, an acknowledgment of the efforts of people who take time to do look ups wouldn't go amiss. Kate

Hi, I so agree and am sure no one could be offended by a thread meant to help. Lack of information is one reason why I do far fewer ancestry searches for others than I used to. I used to use my 1837 credits to search for BMDs for others but rarely do so now after two people in a row didn't even say thanks. I like to think they didn't realise I was spending my own money on their behalf. I still do look ups on the census discs I have and am on several look up exchanges so I do still contribute in that way. And I still do the occasional ancestry search when there is enough information for a reasonable chance of success. Gwynne

Hear hear! I had a private message yesterday saying 'She was Welsh'. Lovely! WHO was Welsh and why are you telling me? Obviously someone I've helped in the past but have no idea who. I politely e mailed the person back asking for more information and received a 'Its on the thread' reply. I hope no-one with a Welsh ancestor waiting for me to get back to them is reading this or I will cry! Lou xx

hi all i am a smith- and i still see more walkers- most of them called william ! lol sue.

John Smith's alive at one time? Goodness knows about 15'000?

ok ok! there may be some uniques... but how many John smiths are there in the world???

Well I think there are some uniques, how many Vincent Mercury Fields do you come across? Mine was a ticket writer, I think he wrote labels for shops.

But that is Rambling Sid Rumpo's real name. Are you and he related?

Unique isnt alway a word you should use with genealogy I am afraid to say. The only unique name I can think of is Cornelius Demetrius Bracegirdle. How many people are called that do you think?

Benjamin Fat chance with that!! Or looking for Uncle John he wore a flat cap had a Jack Russell and lived 'Up North'! Jacquie

Yes its amazing how people think that every name is somehow unique and no one else at any time could possibly have the same name...

Good one I have had fellow members private messaging me for lookup without giving names, or dates etc. It is annoying when someone says. "Can you lookup a John Smith in the 1871 census please" irony attatched.

Yes that's very true Sarah. Let's hope no swearers phone up next week!! Jacquie

Jacquie - I've just started working for a store (which although is a pretty good employer will remain nameless in case GC remove this post cos I mentioned the store) and I'm on the tills. It gets quite busy sometimes and when the till decides to act up (the receipt machine kept eating paper yesterday) and I have to stop and get help I hate it when they all start muttering in the queue! I was talking with my Mum about it and she said the following 'People are always worse when its a free service'. Something to think about eh? :)

Hi Sally What you say is spot on, but you've reminded me of what it's like at work. I work in a very large goverment department and we get people phoning up saying "Hello it's Mr Roberts from London", expecting you to know him and have his file ready! Oh that Mr Roberts!! Jacquie

Sally, Am with you on this one! I'm new to the whole offering lookups thing, but what I'm doing is asking the person to add more info if they haven't given me much and I won't do their lookups until I get it! No point wasting the few precious hours I have each week between shifts chasing information people already have! If I've gone a bit further and looked up info they haven't asked for and get told they already have it, I don't mind though. It was my fault for getting too involved :)

nudge

hi sally- you couldnt upset me if you tried. my new best mate. sue.ps i probably gave you so much info you must have been thinking ' please- leave me alone. 'lol sue.

Dear Sally, You replied to a request I put on the board for an 1871 Yorkshire lookup. I had already looked for my family on the 1881 and found the son, William, living away from home. I was able to give you his age from this and his birth certificate. Unfortunately, I was unable to find his parents Samuel and Hannah Watson living together. This could be because either one had died by then. Consequently, I was unable to provide you with their ages. If I have not provided enough details for a lookup, please just say so and I'll try to get some more clues. I know how time consuming lookups can be. I do appreciate the help you and others (including myself)give to GR members and hope you will continue to do so. Best wishes, Lilian