Find Ancestors

Thanks Joy Lets hope we are both on here next week. Irene

hi, i think colins site has probably been brought to more peoples attention because of the letter from gc [ sorry gr !] and their handling of the situation ! maybe thats justice ! lol. sue.

I was quite enjoying reading that thread last night, debates are always more interesting when its on something of interest. Maybe they didn't like the interest it was attracting. First there was the issue of non members helping members find what they wanted. So they were stopped. Then it was the increase charges. Now it not passing on sites of interest all be it paying ones. Perhaps someone can email me the details of Colin's site, I must have missed that and would like a look. Don't want to get anyone into trouble so please feel free to email me. Will they black list me for asking do you think. Irene

Reading GR's reply by e mail (on General board) to members, it appears that they are accusing Colin of spamming members. (I find this very difficult to believe) what we are all missing is the fact that the original complaint seems to have come from one of our fellow members so I hope he/she is happy with the situation they have now caused. And I note that nobody has come forward to admit to complaining!! Ann Glos

Hi Ian, I really must start reading the small print :O) however, most of us are guilty of supplying a web-site to someone on the boards, we do not wait till our original e-mail has been received and the person has replied to us to give this information out. In a way this is better as it means more people have access to the reply. I have learnt of several web-sites by reading the boards, if these people had e-mailed each other I would not be aware of them. Guess it comes down to the letter of the law, it would however, been a lot better had GR contacted Colin and had a word that they were not happy about his web-site being promoted ont his site , rather than just expel him as a member. Know what you mean about the last page of a book being missing, thought the thread being delated was like someone walking off in the middle of a heated arguement. :O)) Regards Sheila

Sheila I agree with you. I think GR could do themselves more favours by responding to some of the complaints, just to put folk straight on some issues. I am not apologising for GR, but their rules are clear. If they have not enforced them equally then they would be at fault. For everyone's guidance here is the relevant rule (I think): 10 Relevance. The Genes Reunited Service is intended to be used by its Members for the purposes referred to in Clause 2 above. Accordingly, Members must not: - include an email address, postal address, phone number, the address of any website, or any other information which is intended to facilitate direct communication, in material which is posted on the Genes Reunited Service - Full Members, and the recipients of their emails, can share this information, should they wish, once direct contact has been made; - place material on, or otherwise use, the Genes Reunited Service for any business or commercial purpose; or - use your access to the Genes Reunited Service, or information gathered from it, for the sending of unsolicited bulk email (sometimes known as spam) +++ As I said, they would do better to respond and clarify rather than just delete the thread, especially just when it is getting exciting. It's a bit like finding the last page of a book missing! Ian

Hi Ian, I dont think it really hysteria about this subject, and I can also understand the wish for GR to make extra revenue from its web-site I am sure that they have an extremely good contracts with the likes of AOL and 1837, however, the need was to clarify everthing. It seems a bit weird that they should expel a member for giving out his web-site details, when they have a number of web-sites listed on the Resource Centre, ( maybe the best thing you have been to approach Colin about entering his web-site on there) however, the situation has been inflamed by the fact that when poeple have objected to this, the threads have both been deleted (not a good thing to do for customer relaions). I agree with you this site is excellent, but maybe things could have been handled a lot better :O) Best wishes Sheila

They also appear to allow free advertising on the success board. Check out Mr Snow 02/08/04.

There seems to be a lot of hysteria being whipped up on this topic. As I see it, for the subscription fee, GR give us the facility of this website to persue our family history searches, and exchange views, etc. No doubt the cost of the facility is offset (and additional revenue earned) by GR selling advertising space on these famous 'flashing logo' sections. What GR does not want is other companies or individuals using the GR message boards or GR contact facilities to promote their own services. GR do not stop us passing on tips about other services, such as 1837, which is a different thing than advertising. GR seem slow in saying this to clarify their position and calm down the membership! Ian

Hi, I agree with you Joy, I also mentioned that in the original thread that and the fact the flashing logo has caused uproar on these boards, you cant say that is not promoting commercial services, think everything has now got to be clarified, so we will have to wait for an answer from GR. Sheila

Hi, I agree, we all mention various sites to each other from time to time or even promotional offers, i also mentioned on the original thread that was deleted, that GR do this also in the home page and the Resource Centre page, we all mention 1837 so where does it stop, however, somebody who has a web-site must have been asked for details of the web-site address and another member has complained hence the above message from GR. Sheila

I'm gobsmacked!!! Not only have all previous replies been removed from this thread, the whole thread has been taken off the General Topice Board. Enrest's thread - An Open Letter to GR- has also been removed from General Topics!!!!! Are we not allowed to respond the GC/GR's own postings now??!! This is getting ridiculous. Why post the thread in the first place? The nature of the subject was bound to cause some controversy. If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen! Debbie

hi, wish i could delete that flashing *** [ better not advertise] logo on the left, it really bugs me. lol sue.

Hi Sue, Its a bit of a hornets nest actually a member has been thrown of the boards for giving his web-site details out, several of us had made comments about this and what is actually in there opinion commercial services, however, both threads have now dissapeared, look on the General Topics Board to see whats going on. Sheila

hi, sorry , i have missed all this. does this mean we cannot mention ANY other sites now ? are we allowed to still e mail each other and ask for look ups etc. or is that still being debated ? i really do not understand any of this ! sue, [ very confused]

sheila, couldnt see your thread on general ! where is it. sue.

Hi Val, See the General Topics Board I have just put a comment on about this, don't know if GR has removed the replies or what. Sheila

Does this mean that we cannot tell people of good sites such as 1837( which you have in your links) some of these sites are really useful and most of us like to keep informed of any new sites useful tips generally. sandra

Recently we have had reports from members that they have received promotional or commercial emails from another GR member. This is not endorsed or permitted by Genes Reunited. The use of GR to promote any commercial or paid service is strictly prohibited and is a breach our terms and conditions. If you receive any email or see postings on the message boards for genealogy research services, promotional offers for other websites or any other commercial services please notify us immediately. Genes Reunited is a place for members to share genealogy information with fellow members and we would like to continue that helpful and friendly atmosphere. Best, Michelle