General Chat

Pam, If you don't like the threads, please don't read them. These kinds of threads have brought support and comfort to many people. Maggy

I have to say,free speech,posting threads regarding someones bereavement,illness or birthday or whatever shouldnt offend or annoy,if one doesnt like it then one shouldnt pick up on it therefore no offence shall occur.As the general topic's name suggests,it is for general topics whatever they may be.Lets not start another wave of discontent,there is no need for it.

This was my thread. I didnt have to tell anyone. Would those criticising the posts of other people please edited their posts or delete them. I will not delete this thread because of you. Thanks

Pam all you have done is added to the discord. I feel it is good to sometimes give support to the living in the middle of researching our own ancestors. I have always been amazed at the amount of support offered on these boards and long may it continue. why don't you stay Pam and just use the twwo other boards, you don't need to come on the general board if you are only interested inresearching and you have a lot to lose by not using the Tips and Record board.

I have just got back from holiday. Before I went, I added a thread to this board asking for condolences for a GR friend, Joy, who had recently and suddenly been bereaved of her (step)mother-in-law. On reading my emails, I received one from Joy asking me to delete my thread and I just could not imagine why .... was she throwing my thoughts and prayers back in my face - surely not? I've just looked at the reply on this thread which prompted Joy's response and I have to say I'm amazed at someone else's unkind and unfeeling response! I had only been a GR member a few weeks when my best friend died, and I was really helped and uplifted by all the kind thoughts, prayers and support I received from fellow GR members. I have them printed off and kept in a file, and felt very comforted by them on the day last week when her ashes were scattered. Even now, some friends on here ask how my late friend's husband and young children are getting on, and it's lovely to think that people still care about them, and about me. This is a 'general topics' board, not specifically for genealogy topics (there are other specific boards on this site), and it's a very sad day when we can't be of some comfort to another member of our group. Like many other people have said, if you don't like the title of a thread, then don't read it! Out of respect for you Joy, I'm removing the thread, but I have no regrets about posting it. I have to say I'm really disappointed and a real damper has been put on my day. Mandy

Please don't go!!! This site has been the greatest help to me - remember why you joined - to find you family and their history - the boards sometimes can cause trouble - but by sticking to the Records Office and Tips Board perhaps equilibrium can be returned. No matter where we are if we express personal thoughts and comments someone will be upset..its so easy to express thoughts which may offend when you can't see someone face to face even if at the time that is the last thing on your mind..and someone may anger you in the same way...I think it is time everyone counted to 10. Lets face it this started as a great site and only its members can keep it great...we are the site and if the great members leave the future isn't so great for the people following us

Following what you said, Pam, I shall ask Mandy to delete her thread about my step-mother-in-law. I hope my thread RIP about my mother did not offend you. Joy

Hi Fi and Angel I am sorry to hear you are leaving,very sad you have been here almost from the start.Can understand your reasons have considered the same - its not the same,but for the moment l'm still here. You know my email addy if you want to chat:o) Take care, cuddles to Angel:o) Pam - all the best to you as well. Jude sarf wales x

Fi and Angel, Totally understand your feelings. My membership is up for renewal soon and I don't think I will bother to renew. This used to be a wonderful site dedicated to all things genealogy but not now. While I fully appreciate that news of member's health problems and bereavements are justifiable inclusions on the General Topics board and give an opportunity for other members to send best wishes or condolences, I feel that this board has been sometimes hijacked by what I can only describe as 'Ambulence Chasers' I am getting increasingly fed up with clicking on a link that informs me that someones stepfather's second cousin twice removed has recently heard of the death of a great aunt and asking me to add my commiserations ( an exaggeration perhaps but not that far from the truth ) Until recently I have used GC/ GR as an invaluable research tool for genealogy but no longer. For those of you with long memories or of a similar age to me, I am reminded of CB radio. Many thanks to you Fi and Angel for your help in the past and good luck for the future. Regards....................Pam

Fi, and Angel, I havent had any personal contact with either of you, BUT you have Always been here, and to me you are part of the furniture, of Genes Connected..(oops watch out for the thought police...........) so please reconsider...... Bob.

I just want to thank you all for your support. Fi

I don't see any point in leaving before one's subscription has run out. Joy

Valley--you're back! Yippee! Fi,why not just rise above it? Saying you are leaving won't change anything--plenty others have done the same, and it makes no difference. I find the nasty threads just drift away if no-one else feeds into it by adding their 'twopennorth'. I try to stay away from it unless someone has been really offensive. This is just like real life--some people you like,some you avoid like the plague! Life's too short for petty rows--that's what we have families for!x

If you feel the need to take a break,maybe you will come back feeling different about the site and all the shenanigans that have happened lately.I personally like to overlook the threads that arouse bad feeling and controversy and get on with having a good fun debate and a laugh.Life is too short to take it all to heart.

I would say the same as the others "don't go", you've paid your money just like the rest of us. Some people just like to cause trouble, believe me. There really are some lovely people on the site. Read only those threads which interest you. This is what I do! Sylvia

Fi, not another one!!! I agree that it has all been a bit nasty lately, but i tend just to ignore it all and not get involved. There are still loads of lovely people on this site who go out of their way to help. Take care and reconsider leaving. Sheila x

I am very sorry you feel that way about family history research, but I do understand because I nearly gave up, too, a little while ago, for reasons some peple understand. By the way, unfortunately because of what happened to me from a subscriber on this site, although I have not given up, sadly, I have lost interest in this hobby that I used to love, and have not actively done any research since. (One particular line I needn't bother with anyway, because this person, unconnected to me, is researching it, presumably from curiosity.) Joy

I only ever join in with those that I want to. There has been an awful lot of these messages lately and have chosen not to get involved. I usually read most of the threads but don't normally reply to them all. Why should you stop researching your tree?? Don't take the comments to heart poppet. Julie

FI Please re think about your decision to leave,You will be spiting only yourself if you leave the boards.Don't let the minority get the better of you.PLEASE STAY SUE

Fi, Don't give up. I joined GC in October last year and I remember one of your threads being the first I read. I had never been on message boards before and it was all new to me. But by reading your threads I gradually got up the courage to join in. I missed you for a while but noticed lately that you were back. Just ignore any threads you don't like and I am sure your enthusiasm will soon come back. Take care. Jean x.