newbie in disgrace already!!!

[aashpool]

Hi everyone, I've just joined the site on the advice from someone at the Gateshead Family History Fair yesterday who said it was a friendly, helpful site. It's taking me a while to find my way around and I've already asked for help on another forum before introducing myself! Sorry I hope this isn't too much of faux pas but I am a pretty desperate woman at the minute trying to find relatives who have just disappeared!
Ali x

[Ladkyis]

You just carry on doing it your way |hug| On this forum we only object to rudness and bad language - if you want to just chat then go and browse the general chatter section. If you need help then put your question in the section YOU think is most relevant. If a moderator thinks it will get answered more quickly in a different section then the message could be moved but only to make things better.

We are a pretty easy going lot and we love talking to new people and most of the folks on here are only too willing to help anyone find the answers to their questions.

Happy hunting!|wave|

[aashpool]

Thanks, I feel better now (still desperate though!!)
Ali x

[MarkJ]

Hi Ali,
Don't worry - there is no set rule about introducing yourself :)
So who were you speaking to at Gateshead? Our Bo Peep was there running the Parish Chest stall, so I expect that was who collared you!
The easiest way to get started is, after a look around, to post a question on the part of the forum which seems most suitable. Include as much information as you can - particularly names and rough dates if you have them as well as the sort of things you are after. That way it is much easier for others to help locate useful information for you.

Mark

[aashpool]

Hello Mark, The man I spoke to was on the British Genealogy stall but seemed to know everything about Parish Chest and he was very pleasantly helpful
Ali x

[Procat]

Hi Ali,

Your not in disgrace.

Post away. If you make a request and it needs more information someone will explain what is needed and usually why.

It is a learning experience and we have all been there.

[MarkJ]

Hello Mark, The man I spoke to was on the British Genealogy stall but seemed to know everything about Parish Chest and he was very pleasantly helpful
Ali x

That would be Frank I expect. Wait until you meet his wife on here ;)
(Only joking Bo Peep!)

Mark

[karen43]

hi Ali. I have only just joined as well.Don,t worry I am still getting lost!!!!!!!!!!


karen.xx

[MarkJ]

Worry not about getting lost! We all post in the wrong place occasionally, but nobody will mind :)

Mark

[Clive Blackaby]

If you post a message in the wrong place, it really doesn't matter. One of the moderators will put you on the right track. Please stop worrying about it. :D
"He (or she) who never made a mistake never made anything"

You are among friends here. "Moderation" is always done gently, but efficiently, there is seldom any need for it to be otherwise, because that's the sort of people we are!

There are one or two exceptions, as I found as a newbie way back then ..... members whose tone could be taken as rather dismissive of what they evidently think is a stupid question, although I have noticed that even they have mellowed over the last 3 years, or maybe I've learned to believe that they mean well but cannot help showing their impatience with those less knowledgeable than themselves.
Best bet in those cases is to assume they are just trying to be helpful in their own rather clumsy way, say thank you, and move on. NEVER retaliate.

But in general if, say, someone posts an enquiry about their relatives from Leominster on the Hertfordshire forum, the Mod will probably tut - tut to themselves, assume you are a "colonial" with no knowledge of English geography, and move the post to the Herefordshire forum where it belongs!! (They may add a brief, possibly light hearted, reply to tell you what's happened, but never a |scold|, never a |banghead|, possibly a |soapbox| if too many people keep doing the same thing, but it isn't personal.

Happy hunting

Clive