Boards - suggestions - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Suggestion for new classification

jmyoung365 — 2013-02-27 06:55:25Z

If the info you post includes life facts about individuals and you post them on the surname board for this surname...use BIOGRAPHY as the classification unless you are writing about a death, Bible record, military, immigration, etc. If so use the appropriate classification.

Joan

Suggestion for new classification

cutlelilscavenger — 2013-02-27 04:48:34Z

I would like to suggest a new classification for board topics, and that is "Other Historical Facts." I have a habit of helping out other genealogists by putting out random bits of information I find about people, whether they're in my family or not. I've posted things on boards that can be helpful to others, but I'm not really sure I've appropriately classified them. For example, I posted a digitized yearbook from 1917 of a high school in Indiana, a newspaper clipping for a teen who drowned that also mentioned he was adopted, and a few other little things like this that can be pieces of someone's puzzle. Basically I am suggesting we need an "info-dump" section. Obviously I post these things on the appropriate surnames' message boards but I want to make sure that these things reach the person who's looking for them, so I guess I am also asking for suggestions from the board for ways to reach out to others who might be seeking this information.

Re: Odd results from search engine this week

DianePezz — 2013-02-18 16:33:18Z

Thank you. I saw another post in another thread clarifying the purpose of this board. I'll try to find the correct board on which to post my question or call Ancestry.com to ask them.

Maybe the problem will clear up on its own. I wasn't having this problem last weekend. Thank you for your reply.

Re: Odd results from search engine this week

white_roses — 2013-02-18 16:29:56Z

This board is about the message boards, and your last paragraph sounds as though you are not talking about searching the boards, but rather ancestry records in general?

Odd results from search engine this week

DianePezz — 2013-02-18 13:37:28Z

I was wondering if something were being "upgraded" with the search engines. This week, when I type in "Belculfine", a family name, I am getting mostly results for "Blackwell"- no Belculfines. There are many, many Belculfines and I have found them successfully in the past but not this week.

I just typed in "Candelora" and the results I am given are "McCandless".

I hope this is just a temporary problem. I am resorting to Familysearch.org to find the records and then individually browsing the correct file. This really isn't worth the subscription price. Any feedback?

Family Tree Enhancement

sbjenks_1 — 2013-02-06 23:07:52Z

I would like to see the ability to apply color to the individual person boxes in our family tree's. For example, if I had a long ancestry run of, say, a grandparent, I could right click on each of those grandparents boxes and pick a color from a drop down palette. That way, at a glance, I could see a particular ancestry line more clearly. This would add a color dimension to the graphical tree display.

Re: Help! How do I get rid of the popups that are crowding my main page??

AGHatchett3rd — 2013-01-22 12:34:37Z

A 'few' years??

Windows XP went on sale in 2001 and direct OEM and retail sales ended in 2008.

I'd also like to know just which of Ancestry's subscription plans cost more than $1.00/day.

Re: Help! How do I get rid of the popups that are crowding my main page??

nancyannlarsen — 2013-01-22 08:31:25Z

What a snobby reply from aghatchett3rd. I am not sure software that is only a few years old is "old". Some people LIKE xp. Some people can barely afford the MORE than $1.00 a day. My beef with the advertising is that it makes the page jump because it loads AFTER the page.

Re: Time to retire Rootsweb?

ludlowbaylive — 2013-01-15 06:05:00Z

Back to the original post:

Just what is wrong with leaving RootsWeb alone, BB?

Re: Time to retire Rootsweb?

barbdale_1 — 2013-01-15 05:07:12Z

Translation: We certainly don't have answers to your technical and genealogy questions, so we are hoping you loyal customers can do our job.

I am wondering if the point system is kind of like driving, where you get more points for hitting someone wearing a purple coat?

Re: Time to retire Rootsweb?

BarbaraTaylor7777 — 2013-01-15 00:53:59Z

It sure isn't much help at all. I went to create an account, it said I already had one and did I want my username.
"An existing account already has this username. Please enter a different name. If this is your email address, we can send you your username or let you reset your password."
I got that email and entered as it specified, and now it just says the same thing over and over. Won't let me create an account, and wont' accept my "existing" account that it thinks I already have.
What a joke!
Barbara

Re: Time to retire Rootsweb?

ludlowbaylive — 2013-01-15 00:30:19Z

"Becoming a community member is fast, easy and free. We’ve also created a point system to challenge and reward loyal members who actively volunteer their time and knowledge to help others get the most out of their family history research."

Just what turns me on, Ancestry .... points.

Re: Time to retire Rootsweb?

talbotrail — 2013-01-14 19:58:21Z

I'm not impressed with the new Community Support boards.

Re: Time to retire Rootsweb?

daciodan — 2013-01-14 19:55:05Z

Messages boards vs New Support forum?

http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2013/01/13/ancestry-com-i...

Time to retire Rootsweb?

BrklynBridge — 2013-01-14 19:48:34Z

Isn't it time to salvage whatever is salvageable and retire the Rootsweb umbrella?

It WILL happen (IMHO). It's just a matter of when.

(I'll now retire to the protection of my bunker).

Re: Help! How do I get rid of the popups that are crowding my main page??

nissokone — 2012-12-22 15:10:36Z

Thank you thewarriorangel! I appreciate your help...at least that gives me something to go on. I'll try your suggestions & hope for the best.
Merry Christmas & Best Regards,
Judy

Re: Help! How do I get rid of the popups that are crowding my main page??

thewarriorangel — 2012-12-21 22:17:57Z

Unfortunately the ads can't be removed. However, as they are randomly populated, refreshing the page or switching between the RootsWeb and Ancestry.com interface usually forces an refresh on which ads. I know, not a perfect solution but it may help with the problem ones. Also, you can try adjusting the zoom of the page because if you are zoomed into the page too much then the ads will go wonky.

Re: Help! How do I get rid of the popups that are crowding my main page??

nissokone — 2012-12-21 14:58:27Z

Thanks for the helpful answer...NOT

Re: Help! How do I get rid of the popups that are crowding my main page??

AGHatchett3rd — 2012-12-20 22:14:53Z

Long story short...

1). Those who insist on living with old out of date software must live with the consequences thereof.

2). Less than $1.00/day is *NOT* big bucks.

Help! How do I get rid of the popups that are crowding my main page??

nissokone — 2012-12-20 21:33:19Z

Using 'good old' WinXP Home Edition 5.1.2600 & Firefox 5.0. Have called Ancestry.com twice today, and while they are very 'nice' and have tried to help, still can't get rid of the 2 ads on the home page...one for 'Archives.com' & one about Ancestry.com & the Better Business Bureau. I've tried every way I can think of...there's NO X showing that I can click to send them away, I can't 'scroll' right (yes, have an old computer & monitor...probably a 14") & NOOOO, I don't want to upgrade ANYTHING right now & go through the hastle of it all...I just want to GET RID of the advertisements. As has been said here...why are we who PAY THE BIG BUCKS subjected to them anyway??? Would sure appreciate any helpful hints. Thank you!

Re: SORRY, DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO ASK THIS...

mi2early — 2012-07-26 19:56:28Z

Yes, you can login, go to your post, open it, then click on Delete (upper right corner). You can also ask the board's administrator to delete a post. Go to the post, open it, and click on Report Abuse. In the message box provided, ask the admin to delete your post.

SORRY, DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO ASK THIS...

marylynblood — 2012-07-26 18:00:20Z

IS THERE A WAY WE CAN DELETE OUR OWN POSTS WE POSTED?

Re: Suggestion of New Classification for Post

jmyoung365 — 2012-05-28 00:57:50Z

There really isn't anything such as "general information." There are several DATA type classifications: Obituaries, Birth, Marriage, Bible, etc. Posts are either queries (asking a question) or they are a type of data. The data classifications should only be used when no question is asked and when only DATA of the specified type is posted.

Joan

Re: Suggestion of New Classification for Post

daciodan — 2012-05-27 19:07:56Z

The majority of posters don't bother to classify their post, the default is query. A query is a question; answers to the question are responses, and there may be more questions within the response.

They also don't bother to enter in surnames in the surname field, and if they do, most do it incorrectly.

The only time I waste re-classifying is an obit, but most posters who are posting obits are experienced users, so they already classify it as an obituary.

The *classification* is really for message board search purposes, but most users don't know how to perform an advanced message board search.

Nope, *query* is fine catch-all for general info.

Re: Suggestion of New Classification for Post

Nancy_Pelham — 2012-05-27 17:46:23Z

Did you click the "What is this?" link next to the pull down Query menu?

Suggestion of New Classification for Post

TraciBennettPutnam — 2012-05-27 07:51:46Z

I keep seeing posts classified as "query" when they are not in fact a "query" at all. The majority of them are simply general information a member posts in various message boards to perhaps assist others who may one day search that message board. There is no "General Information" or "General" classification on the drop down list and I think there should be. The definition of a query is a question or inquiry to which an answer is being sought. For members like myself, who frequently read message board posts to try to assist members with true queries, finding that I am wasting time reading general information posts is quite frustrating. Rather than try to correct every member who misclassifies a post, how would I go about suggesting a new classification on the drop down list? Also, if anyone else feels the same way I do please back me up in also making the same suggestion I am trying to make. Thanks!

Re: posting larger photos than 15kb ?

jmyoung365 — 2011-10-18 02:25:16Z

Glad to hear you have resolved the problem. Where there's a will there's a way!

Joan

Re: posting larger photos than 15kb ?

lockshields — 2011-10-17 21:36:38Z

Hi Joan I've cracked it. In a nutshell, I made sure in messages I clicked onto UK then "posting pictures larger than 15kb",there you have it.
I also ignored the 15 kb ultimatem and posted pictures from my computer whatever the kb and Eureka there they were.
If you go onto my profile lockshields and then my Family tree Albert Edward Probyn, you will see I have posted some photos. More to come, all in good time,lots of other things going on at present.

Regards Lockshields

Re: posting larger photos than 15kb ?

jmyoung365 — 2011-10-16 00:50:23Z

Not sure what you mean about "getting INTO your post." You obviously FOUND the post because you replied to it. If you mean you wish to edit your post, you have to be logged in using the "lockshields" username account and you have to edit your post from the ROOTSWEB side of the boards. Go to any RootsWeb page and click the message board link in the RootsWeb masthead at the top of the page to get to the boards.

The link I gave you takes you an example of a post I posted with an attached photo. When I posted that message with the attachments I clicked the attachments attach file link just below the message box. When you click to browse to find the photo file on your computer there isn't anything about 15 KB...perhaps this is a limitation in your browser? Or maybe your ISP limits the size of uploaded files? You should be able to browse to the file you want to attach and highlight it and click OPEN and that will place the link to the attachments in the box to the right of where it says attachments.

Joan

Re: posting larger photos than 15kb ?

lockshields — 2011-10-15 02:24:48Z

Hi Joan, I still cannot get into my post on the message board entitled " posting larger photos than 15kb".I contacted Ancestry but still can't get there.How do you see my message?Ancestory contact me on my home E mail and leave a link, this is the only way I can get to this message thread.
Thanks for showing me the external link, but where are you placing this link for photos?
When you go on one of your Ancestors and want to upload a photo, it only allows you to go into your computer files and states no more than 15kb in size.

Re: posting larger photos than 15kb ?

jmyoung365 — 2011-10-11 02:27:34Z

You can add a photo (or photos) when posting a message by clicking the ATTACH A FILE link and browsing to find the photo on your computer.

Here is one example of a photo I added on a board post:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.new...

Joan

Re: posting larger photos than 15kb ?

lockshields — 2011-10-10 18:58:01Z

Hi Joan, Thanks for the reply. The first thing is that I'm new to the site. I cannot find my message on the message board. I got an E mail from ancestry telling me of your reply with a link which took me to your reply.
When you say you upload on the boards, are you including the
Family tree photos,here it states a limit of 15kb.
Or are you posting photos on other boards if so what.
I do understand your reply to me.
Many thanks lockshield

Re: posting larger photos than 15kb ?

jmyoung365 — 2011-10-10 03:57:59Z

I've never had a problem with any limit to the size of a photo I've uploaded on the boards but if you can't upload your photos just paste in the URL link to your photo in your message. Don't use any HTML coding or brackets when you post your link...just post the URL and it will become clickable when you post it.

Joan

posting larger photos than 15kb ?

lockshields — 2011-10-09 19:09:54Z

I have some family pictures I wish to post but 15kb will give me only postage stamp size which will not in any way give them justice as to recognition.
Is there any way I can succeed in posting a larger picture.
Can I for example post an external link, if so, how can I do this on Ancestry ?
I am on photobucket.
Many thanks

Re: Duplicate Source Information Problem

broooski — 2011-09-23 18:56:37Z

Sorry about using the wrong board. I will look at that other one. But given the "solutions" offered me, probably it's best to not repeat my query. Mainly, I was just venting again!

Re: Duplicate Source Information Problem

broooski — 2011-09-23 18:53:50Z

Good ideas Thanks, Bruce

Re: Duplicate Source Information Problem

white_roses — 2011-09-23 00:25:09Z

You might get more responses if you post this on the Member Trees board. This board is for suggestions to improve the message boards.

Re: Duplicate Source Information Problem

AGHatchett3rd — 2011-09-22 22:22:22Z

The easiest way to do this is not add more than one person at a time and check your list of people before adding anything to anybody.

I keep a different window open to my list of people and can call them up from that window to see if I want to add the info or not- saves loads of tiem in not having to go back and re-do stuff.

Duplicate Source Information Problem

broooski — 2011-09-22 21:28:35Z

Often when I see a leaf connected to one of my ancestors in the family tree, I naturally go there to check it out. Now I don't have a steel trap memory, so when it suggests my adding a presumably new source of information, such as a federal census record, to the several people listed in the principal person's family, I generally do it only to find out later that it added some information already attached to that person! Then I have to go back to all those peoples' profiles and most likely have to delete the recently attached record. I really wish that Ancestry could modify their software, so at least it warns me that I have already attached the record before and let me make the decision to attach it or not! Thank you,

Bruce

Re: SEARCH

mi2early — 2011-08-13 20:58:24Z

You could try a Google search:

site:boards.ancestry.com "Alice Graham"

Re: SEARCH

Ldrake7827_1 — 2011-08-13 05:31:22Z

Joan,

Thank you for your help. I will try your suggestions.

Linda

Re: SEARCH

jmyoung365 — 2011-08-13 03:30:45Z

The board search engine doesn't do phrase searches nor does it handle Boolean operators. When I last checked it also didn't do +/- searches. You can try just typing in the name you want in the keyword search box or you can use the surname box (advanced search) box or you can limit your search to the Graham surname board (using the advanced search box) but you can't the more specific type searches on the boards.

I would suggest also searching the Graham mailing list or even ALL mailing lists where you CAN use many Boolean operators and where you can do a "alice graham " exact name search. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/index/GRAHAM/

Joan

SEARCH

Ldrake7827_1 — 2011-08-12 05:14:10Z

I did not know where to ask this question.
I read all the information on message boards, it said you put in your surname and select search.

Would someone please tell me if I want information that just pertains to my name
like - Alice Graham - how to I enter the name so that I don't get 150 Alices and 125 Grahams

Is there a way to find just the name Alice Graham?

A long time ago, I thought if you put commas between
Alice, Graham or ". I just don't remember.
Thank you for your time and help. Linda

Why create Royal Engineers category?

JeffH01 — 2011-05-16 15:11:59Z

I don't why this category was created, but to single out the Corps of Royal Engineers from the rest of the Corps & Regiments of the British Army to me, like the Scottish Army & Navy categories, it’s a silly ill thought idea and the equivalent of creating a board for just one ship in the Royal Navy.

The Royal Engineers was original of officer corps, with the rank and file in the Corps of Artificers, later to become The Royal Sappers and Miners; all merged into the Corps of Royal Engineers in 1856.

Why stop at the RE's? There's the Royal Artillery [Field, Horse & Garrison), Royal Army Service Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps, Army Nursing Service, and each gained their Royal Prefix at different times, so what title do you use?.

In addition to the various Corps being known under different names at different times, pre-1881 there were some 109 numbered infantry regiments of foot in the British Army [some also included names in their titles] the numbered regiments reduced to around 67 after 1881; so which would you create sub-categories for and under what names?

The British Army is just that so just leave it as one single category. The only split on military boards should be around nations, service branches (Army, Navy & Air Force) and conflicts.

Re: Fix "Message Preview" to be formatted like "Post" format

jmyoung365 — 2011-03-28 22:56:38Z

Now that posters can EDIT their posts it would seem that a preview feature is not necessary anyway. Just post and if you make any errors--edit your post.

Joan

Re: Fix "Message Preview" to be formatted like "Post" format

mjphelps152 — 2011-03-28 07:46:25Z

I can't believe they haven't fixed this and your message is FIVE YEARS OLD. I just wrote a long reply on a message board and hit "preview" and it's all smushed together - it looks like none of my returns went through. So I googled my problem and came up with your post. It sounds like you're saying that if I actually post the message it will be formatted the way I had it.

What's the point of "Preview" if it doesn't actually preview the formatted message?

It seems like somebody at Ancestry.com wrote the programming code for the message board system like eight years ago and just dropped it. If anyone at Ancestry.com is reading this, please fix.

Board Information Button

popsjackson — 2011-01-31 14:53:36Z

I do not know if anyone on Staff actually reads these but here goes anyhow. I know that, aside from board admins, practically no one accesses the board information page. I doubt that they even know it is there.

A much better approach would be to have the board information button sitting right beside "Begin a new thread" so it would be more likely to at least be noticed. Or, if there were simply a line between the board name and "Begin a new thread" which simply said "Be sure and check the Board Information page for useful information" folks might be more likely to click it. Some of us actually spend a lot of time trying to come up with useful information, guidelines etc. to place there and we wonder if the effort is just a waste of time. It is sad if the only reason the page is accessed is for other admins to get ideas for their own pages, although that is a good use in itself.

Just my slightly discouraged thoughts. Sometimes (many times?) I feel like we are step-children that have to be put up with but paid as little attention as possible by the parents.

Re: Board for Mailing List administrators

mi2early — 2011-01-28 15:28:41Z

List members already have a way to participate in the workings of a list:

They can post on-topic messages to the list and if they have suggestions of an administrative nature, the subscriber can write a polite message to the list administrator.

Re: Board for Mailing List administrators

jmyoung365 — 2011-01-28 07:13:21Z

Andy: There are several lists for list admins and all but listowners-L is open to non-admins to discuss list issues. Listowners-L is only open to admins for a variety of reasons. List admins need a place to discuss issues that may not be suitable (and certainly not necessary) for non-admins. It simply isn't feasible for non-admins to need to be a part of such discussions -- but they can follow the discussion by reading the list archives.

Joan

Re: Board for Mailing List administrators

Rob_Yoder — 2011-01-28 06:53:34Z

AGHatchett3rd,

I think a prime example why not to have Listowners-L open to the public is this thread. I asked a simple question and you have to chime in and blow everything out of proportion. Imagine that happening on the list after every post. Get over it Sunshine.