Where can they find those people? RootsChat, launched in Lancashire, England in December 2003 is a wonderful gathering place.
RootsChat Forum
A free genealogy forum of active boards where assistance and information are plentiful, RootsChat has an ever-expanding list of resources. It has enthusiastic members from the U.K. and Ireland to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, and the United States to name but a few.
The catalogue lists more than 250,000 topics of discussion, and membership costs neither a penny nor a pound.
Newcomers receive enthusiastic welcomes and encouraging words. They may even find a distant relative. As an example: a woman posted a question about a business that was owned by her father's family in Dundee, Scotland. Several people responded including a cousin she had not known about. He posted a wonderful photograph that showed one of the stores together with identification of the people. Their correspondence has continued since that time.
Members are ready and willing to assist with searches, offer suggestions, and provide links for informative, interesting sites. Some will offer to help decipher the script found in old documents. Lengthy discussions on a variety of subjects are not uncommon.
Forum Discussion Topics
- How To Use RootsChat
- The Common Room
- Photograph Restoration and Dating
- Traveling People
- Immigrants to Britain
- Emigrants from Britain
- England (Counties as in 1851-1901)
- Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901)
- Ireland (Historical Counties)
- Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901)
- Isle of Man
- The Channel Islands
- Census Lookups General Lookups
- Occupation and One-Name Interest
- Armed Forces
- Family and Historic Documents and Artefacts
- Unwanted Items Common Room
- Family Bibles
Divisions for In-Depth Searches for Ancestry and History
Geographical/county divisions or 'child boards' allow more in-depth searches for ancestry and local history. For more general, relative conversation, The Common Room is available for sharing ideas about family history projects.
Armed Forces
The armed forces board covers all aspects of wartime experiences. Members help find medal and war records and the identification of ancestors' military branches.
Photograph Restoration
Using guidelines and tutorials, members can post damaged pictures to the photograph restoration board where skilled volunteers respond generously with wonderful results. Usually several versions are posted. Experts also assist with dates, historical context and tips on conservation.
Moderators
Long-time RootsChatters who demonstrate special skills and willingness to give extra assistance are the moderators. Their responsibilities include editing information that infringes upon copyright laws, and moving threads to relevant RootsChat boards whenever necessary.
Time Out
When members need time out from the serious side of genealogy, they can relax and enjoy "The Lighter Side" and "The Totally Off-Topic Bit". On those boards, news and personal topics are discussed, jokes are shared, birthdays are celebrated, and almost anything goes.
Kathleen Airdrie - Kathleen has thirty years' freelance writing experience covering history, biographical profiles, environmental and social issues
