Genealogy Chat

I posted a "trying to find" and a certain person who claimed to be a professional researcher offered help me with searching for divorce certificates. I sent a sum of money, was told the certificate would take 10-14 days to arrive. I am still waiting 7 weeks later and have had no reply to my emails to this person. Maybe it will never arrive ? Has anyone else experienced this ?

Hi Christine, I would never hand over any money unless I really knew who I was handing it over to. It sounds as though you have been had sorry to say... Sue

Does this person have a webpage or any other form of advertisment for their services? Did you check to see if s/he was registered? I'm not sure what bodies there are governing professional researchers, you could see if the Society of Genealogists has a list. Also check to see if the money left your account, and that you still have the original emails. If you ever track this person down (and it seems unlikely if all you have is an email address and they were a fraudster) you will need proof to reclaim your money.

Christine, Did this person contact you through GC/GR? The Trying to find board is open to non paying members as well as paying members, but only paying members can contact you through Genes. Sue:-)

I think before anyone hands over any money they should ask for references.

Name them and shame them, have you contacted GC I am sure that they would be interested in this. I have not heard of people on this site offering to do look ups for money. But thanks for the warning, never part with money if you have not contacted tfhem first. Irene

Maybe I should update that never part with money unless you have checked them out first. Irene

I reported to GC that someone was advertising. They said they would remove it immediately and that it was not allowed. Joy

Thankyou for all your comments, the person did not advertise but offered help , to which i replied then i received emails direct, i should of realised , obviously it will not happen again!. i wanted to know whether anyone else on this site had been had, I will report it to genes. christine

christine Perhaps you should name them, so nobody else gets taken in. I am very upset to hear what happened, never part with money unless you know who you are dealing with. Debbie

Hi Christine Have you heard anything from Genes yet? Lynda

I think this may have happened before as I was trying to help someone (about 2 months ago I think) but unfortunately can't remember her name. After not hearing from her for about a week she suddenly e-mailed me and said that she would like to know how much I would charge to help. When I told her that I wouldn't dream of charging and only wished I could help she replied that she had got muddled and it was someone else on here who had offered to help for a fee. Chrissie

Hi Chrissie I wonder just how often this has happened. I wish the name woulld be posted so we could all see what nasty people there are about and avoid them. Lynda

Hi Christine, I think it may be an idea to name this person, have you not e-mailed them to see what is going on? I have tried to help several people on this site when they have been searching for living relatives, and no I would not dream of charging for my help, however, one 1 occasion after doing quite a lot of searching for 1 person she informed me that she had been dealing with someone else and had given them recent information, to enable them to track down the person she wanted and they would be willing to send their adress if they gave her money for the costs incurred doing this, not sure how much it was now, but they had obviously charged her for theit time as well, however, I am not sure if she received this information or not, but I doubt if it was the same person. Try e-mailing them again and if you have no joy contact Genes Reunited. Regards Sheila

Hi sheila M , The way the person offered help was the same , she supplied some information asked if i was happy, then was supposed to send certificates in with the price which of course have never arrived, i cannot email her now as they will not send , so i guess its been closed and they will try again with another name and email adress christine

Hi Christine, Just nudged this up so people can see what the original problem was. Glad its now sorted, I have replied on your other thread. Best Wishes Sheila

Hi Christine, Just nudged this up for you, to say have you seen Julie Farmers thread about divorce records, may be of some help to you. Good Luck Sheila

Christine, If this person initiated contact then they must have been a paid up member. GC should be able to track down some sort of contact details for them either through Worldpay or a cheque. Crista