Hi Listers, In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is now, but I helped as much as I could. Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past family members and asking for any information about them. This went into the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future. By 2011, new family records had become available so I thought of my correspondent and found three marriages, two births and two baptisms, which I sent off plus details of a site where further information could be found on 19th-century family members. I did not receive a reply at the time, but now nearly three years later I have received one. It turns out that my correspondent, rather than being pleased with the new information, was annoyed with me for 'checking' on these family members and had decided not to contact me any more. So I am in a dilemma, now, concerning other requests for family history information which I receive almost daily, off list, from people who have found my posts in the rootsweb archives. I now feel I don't want to carry on helping people, but it's not in my nature to be dismissive when someone, often a complete stranger, asks for help. I have the added problem that my main computer which is used for research and e-mail has broken down, yet again, after only a year's use. I'm currently using an old and very noisy computer, which is also very slow and liable to break down, too. It's a dilemma I'll have to work out for myself, I know, but in the meantime I may not be helping out, as much as I formerly did. I think that I need to take a break as this has caused me much distress. Josephine

Hi Josephine First thing to say, please do not take it to heart, people are very varied in all walks of life, most are good but a minority are thoughtless or down right rude Continue to help others as *you* feel fit I am often surprised but lately resigned to the lack of response you get when helping others, it used to very much annoy me that people would not even have the courtesy to say thank you or even that they already had the information, it seems a basic courtesy drilled into me from a very young age I sat back and thought, why am I doing this, was it for plaudits or thank you's, and the answer was no, I enjoy helping others in the small ways I am able to Of course it is gratifying when someone comes back to you to say thank you but thats not what I do it for, so will continue regardless Truth be told I enjoy "the hunt" The fact is that if you or I can find it, then so can anyone else, its just knowing how or having the good fortune to find something and know who wants it If your correspondent can't realise that I would simply move on and leave them to stew Continue to enjoy what you do, as I shall and good luck to you in your research also Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) On 04/01/2014 12:22, Josephine Jeremiah wrote: > Hi Listers, > > In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family > history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is > now, but I helped as much as I could. > > Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past > family members and asking for any information about them. This went into > the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future.

Hi I couldn't agree more with Nivard's sentiments ..... I similarly used to take offence when people didn't acknowledge my replies to their queries, much less give thanks for research that I had undertaken for them. However, I carry on regardless because when my own research has 'stalled' it is great to tackle a new problem, even if it belongs to someone else! Also, I like the concept of paying forward - others have helped me and I help others but not necessarily the same individuals - seems to work with most elements of life :-) Don't lose heart Josephine! Cheers and a Happy New Year... Karen > Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2014 12:44:21 +0000 > From: ovington.one@gmail.com > To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's family history > > Hi Josephine > > First thing to say, please do not take it to heart, people are very > varied in all walks of life, most are good but a minority are > thoughtless or down right rude > > Continue to help others as *you* feel fit > > I am often surprised but lately resigned to the lack of response you get > when helping others, it used to very much annoy me that people would not > even have the courtesy to say thank you or even that they already had > the information, it seems a basic courtesy drilled into me from a very > young age > > I sat back and thought, why am I doing this, was it for plaudits or > thank you's, and the answer was no, I enjoy helping others in the small > ways I am able to > > Of course it is gratifying when someone comes back to you to say thank > you but thats not what I do it for, so will continue regardless > > Truth be told I enjoy "the hunt" > > The fact is that if you or I can find it, then so can anyone else, its > just knowing how or having the good fortune to find something and know > who wants it > > If your correspondent can't realise that I would simply move on and > leave them to stew > > Continue to enjoy what you do, as I shall and good luck to you in your > research also > > Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > > On 04/01/2014 12:22, Josephine Jeremiah wrote: > > Hi Listers, > > > > In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family > > history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is > > now, but I helped as much as I could. > > > > Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past > > family members and asking for any information about them. This went into > > the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

On Sat, 04 Jan 2014 16:15:49 -0000, Karen Francis <ranaridibunda@hotmail.com> wrote: > Don't lose heart Josephine! Hi Karen, I had lost heart this morning, but posts from you and other list members has cheered me up. I think I will carry on in a limited way, but be wary of offering information, years later, when the recipient could well have forgotten their original request. As, many listers know, I keep an archive of e-mails sent and received so I often know exactly what was written say 10 or even 15 years ago. But perhaps others don't keep such a close track of family history research sent and received. These days, though, I must admit that it's often quicker to look in the B & S archives with a key word to find something that I know I once wrote. Josephine

Well said Nivard, my exact words to Josephine is the same, I have lost count of the times I get no reply from look-ups. All very frustrating. Then out of the blue one will get a very grateful response which brightens my day. Like you, I love to help, but at times, one just wants to give up. Bev -------------------------------------------------- From: "Nivard Ovington" <ovington.one@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 10:44 PM To: <bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com> Subject: Re: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's family history > Hi Josephine > > First thing to say, please do not take it to heart, people are very > varied in all walks of life, most are good but a minority are > thoughtless or down right rude > > Continue to help others as *you* feel fit > > I am often surprised but lately resigned to the lack of response you get > when helping others, it used to very much annoy me that people would not > even have the courtesy to say thank you or even that they already had > the information, it seems a basic courtesy drilled into me from a very > young age > > I sat back and thought, why am I doing this, was it for plaudits or > thank you's, and the answer was no, I enjoy helping others in the small > ways I am able to > > Of course it is gratifying when someone comes back to you to say thank > you but thats not what I do it for, so will continue regardless > > Truth be told I enjoy "the hunt" > > The fact is that if you or I can find it, then so can anyone else, its > just knowing how or having the good fortune to find something and know > who wants it > > If your correspondent can't realise that I would simply move on and > leave them to stew > > Continue to enjoy what you do, as I shall and good luck to you in your > research also > > Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > > On 04/01/2014 12:22, Josephine Jeremiah wrote: >> Hi Listers, >> >> In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family >> history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is >> now, but I helped as much as I could. >> >> Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past >> family members and asking for any information about them. This went into >> the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the >> future. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.2247 / Virus Database: 3658/6474 - Release Date: 01/03/14 >

Hi Listers, Thank you for all the comments on this thread so far. It's past midnight now so I will reply to posts from Chris, Maggie, Jim, Barbra, Elaine and Edie in the morning and also to any other posts, on the thread, which may come overnight. You have all made me feel so much better than I've felt for the last couple of days. Josephine

On Sat, 04 Jan 2014 20:08:42 -0000, B. Edmonds <beverley@yourisp.com.au> wrote: > Well said Nivard, my exact words to Josephine is the same, I have lost > count of the times I get no reply from look-ups. All very frustrating. > Then out of the blue one will get a very grateful response which > brightens my day. Like you, I love to help, but at times, one just wants > to give up. Hi Bev, Thanks for your response to the thread. Yes, it is frustrating not to get a reply to family history messages, especially when more information is subsequently found, but I have become used to that over the years. It doesn't bother me as much as it used to do. What distressed me was that I found out that nearly three years ago a decision had been made not to contact me because I had given offence by adding a little bit of extra family history information to what I had found 11 years previously. It was only three marriages, two births and two baptisms so nothing out of the ordinary. All a storm in a teacup, now, I suppose, but yesterday morning I was ready to give up. The kind words and support of B & S list members has changed my mind. Josephine

Dear Josephine Over the years you have helped me many times, not only with my own family requests, but also with your frequent contributions to the B & S group. Your dilemma is alas familiar to those of us who also have suffered an unkind disregard from those we have helped. I hope you will not retreat into your shell. And I hope that your main computer can soon be fettled. Paddy Buckley -----Original Message----- From: Josephine Jeremiah Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 12:22 PM To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com Subject: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's familyhistory Hi Listers, In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is now, but I helped as much as I could. Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past family members and asking for any information about them. This went into the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future. By 2011, new family records had become available so I thought of my correspondent and found three marriages, two births and two baptisms, which I sent off plus details of a site where further information could be found on 19th-century family members. I did not receive a reply at the time, but now nearly three years later I have received one. It turns out that my correspondent, rather than being pleased with the new information, was annoyed with me for 'checking' on these family members and had decided not to contact me any more. So I am in a dilemma, now, concerning other requests for family history information which I receive almost daily, off list, from people who have found my posts in the rootsweb archives. I now feel I don't want to carry on helping people, but it's not in my nature to be dismissive when someone, often a complete stranger, asks for help. I have the added problem that my main computer which is used for research and e-mail has broken down, yet again, after only a year's use. I'm currently using an old and very noisy computer, which is also very slow and liable to break down, too. It's a dilemma I'll have to work out for myself, I know, but in the meantime I may not be helping out, as much as I formerly did. I think that I need to take a break as this has caused me much distress. Josephine ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Hi Josephine, Well, that's a sad tale you have to tell. What a poor return for your efforts. I know how much help you give to other people so it's a downright shame if you become disillusioned. So many grateful folks would be deprived of your knowledge and experience if you become less involved. Family history research often throws up stories where our relations have behaved badly, or even criminally, so if there is one general lesson to be learned, it's that it takes all sorts. You never know what you're going to turn up next - and that evidently includes fellow researchers! I hope you don't become permanently disheartened by this one rotten apple. It would be amusing if you named and shamed this individual, but it's probably best not to (sadly...) With all good wishes for 2014 Best regards Giles -----Original Message----- From: Josephine Jeremiah Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 12:22 PM To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com Subject: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's familyhistory Hi Listers, In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is now, but I helped as much as I could. Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past family members and asking for any information about them. This went into the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future. By 2011, new family records had become available so I thought of my correspondent and found three marriages, two births and two baptisms, which I sent off plus details of a site where further information could be found on 19th-century family members. I did not receive a reply at the time, but now nearly three years later I have received one. It turns out that my correspondent, rather than being pleased with the new information, was annoyed with me for 'checking' on these family members and had decided not to contact me any more. So I am in a dilemma, now, concerning other requests for family history information which I receive almost daily, off list, from people who have found my posts in the rootsweb archives. I now feel I don't want to carry on helping people, but it's not in my nature to be dismissive when someone, often a complete stranger, asks for help. I have the added problem that my main computer which is used for research and e-mail has broken down, yet again, after only a year's use. I'm currently using an old and very noisy computer, which is also very slow and liable to break down, too. It's a dilemma I'll have to work out for myself, I know, but in the meantime I may not be helping out, as much as I formerly did. I think that I need to take a break as this has caused me much distress. Josephine ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

On Sat, 04 Jan 2014 12:47:31 -0000, <gilesoakley@tiscali.co.uk> wrote: > Well, that's a sad tale you have to tell. What a poor return for your > efforts. I know how much help you give to other people so it's a > downright shame if you become disillusioned. Hi Giles, Thanks for your reply. Yes, it is a sad tale but also a cautionary one, too, as I noted in the subject of my message. Perhaps we need to be more wary when we try to help people because we don't know how our research will be accepted. Once, I helped someone with their family history only to find that, at the end of a lengthy correspondence, what I'd discovered didn't appear to be believed! > Family history research often throws up stories where our relations have > behaved badly, or even criminally, so if there is one general lesson to > be learned, it's that it takes all sorts. You've reminded me that I recently found out that a direct ancestor was sentenced to 21 days' hard labour and two years in a reformatory. I've passed the information on to some other relatives, but I can see how anyone else could well be annoyed if I'd found out something similar about an ancestor of theirs! If I did discover something like this, about another person's ancestor, I probably wouldn't pass it on because I wouldn't want to cause offence. > With all good wishes for 2014 Thank you, Giles, and the same to you and all listers. Josephine

Hi Josephine Do not take to heart one person's lack of gratitude, it could well be your research messed up their perceived family history and meant they had to revise their tree. As we all have found people find other peoples inaccurate research usually without source and add it without checking to their tree. We all have benefitted from information you have kindly researched and passed on together with the source so please continue to help us. Hope your computer can be restored to good health. Best wishes Tony -----Original Message----- From: Josephine Jeremiah Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 12:22 PM To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com Subject: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's familyhistory Hi Listers, In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is now, but I helped as much as I could.

The majority of us are grateful for all the help we receive from our fellow enthusiasts. Some folk can be difficult though, can't they? We don't know what's going on in their lives so when they appear ungrateful or even rude perhaps they need to be cut a little slack. Some years ago a correspondent responded to my efforts by accusing me of being condescending (among other things) so I wrote back and apologised assuring her I was only trying to help. Apparently she was having a really bad time and was somewhat over-sensitive. We had a really good chat after that. -----Original Message----- From: bristol_and_somerset-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:bristol_and_somerset-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Josephine Jeremiah Sent: 04 January 2014 12:23 To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com Subject: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's family history Hi Listers, In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is now, but I helped as much as I could. Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past family members and asking for any information about them. This went into the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future. By 2011, new family records had become available so I thought of my correspondent and found three marriages, two births and two baptisms, which I sent off plus details of a site where further information could be found on 19th-century family members. I did not receive a reply at the time, but now nearly three years later I have received one. It turns out that my correspondent, rather than being pleased with the new information, was annoyed with me for 'checking' on these family members and had decided not to contact me any more. So I am in a dilemma, now, concerning other requests for family history information which I receive almost daily, off list, from people who have found my posts in the rootsweb archives. I now feel I don't want to carry on helping people, but it's not in my nature to be dismissive when someone, often a complete stranger, asks for help. I have the added problem that my main computer which is used for research and e-mail has broken down, yet again, after only a year's use. I'm currently using an old and very noisy computer, which is also very slow and liable to break down, too. It's a dilemma I'll have to work out for myself, I know, but in the meantime I may not be helping out, as much as I formerly did. I think that I need to take a break as this has caused me much distress. Josephine ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

On 04/01/2014 12:22, Josephine Jeremiah wrote: Josephin Dear girl, I think I have been a subscriber to both Avon and Somerset for close to 40 years and have always valued your contributions. I would like to help with bringing your computer back into commission. Please send me your e-mail address so that I can do it in private. With my best wishes..........Reg Harris > Hi Listers, > > In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family > history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is > now, but I helped as much as I could. > > Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past > family members and asking for any information about them. This went into > the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future. > > By 2011, new family records had become available so I thought of my > correspondent and found three marriages, two births and two baptisms, > which I sent off plus details of a site where further information could be > found on 19th-century family members. > > I did not receive a reply at the time, but now nearly three years later I > have received one. > > It turns out that my correspondent, rather than being pleased with the new > information, was annoyed with me for 'checking' on these family members > and had decided not to contact me any more. > > So I am in a dilemma, now, concerning other requests for family history > information which I receive almost daily, off list, from people who have > found my posts in the rootsweb archives. > > I now feel I don't want to carry on helping people, but it's not in my > nature to be dismissive when someone, often a complete stranger, asks for > help. > > I have the added problem that my main computer which is used for research > and e-mail has broken down, yet again, after only a year's use. I'm > currently using an old and very noisy computer, which is also very slow > and liable to break down, too. > > It's a dilemma I'll have to work out for myself, I know, but in the > meantime I may not be helping out, as much as I formerly did. I think that > I need to take a break as this has caused me much distress. > > Josephine > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2014.0.4259 / Virus Database: 3658/6974 - Release Date: 01/03/14 > >

I have been tracing my family tree for over 30 years now and had numerous similar encounters. Some people are just happy with "a" family tree and not too worried about accuracy! Someone from Australia was just not interested when I pointed out that the person she said she was descended from died as a child! It was one of the few deaths in the register giving the age and parents name. A regular response when asking why they chose "A" instead of "B" as parents is "I paid a professional to research my tree so it must be correct"! They are just not interested in considering anything different A contact rejected my suggestion for suitable parents saying that surname spelling was not identical to the person she was researching. However some people are not worth even trying to help! By email many years ago someone told me proudly that they traced their Bristol family back to the 1600s somewhere in the midlands which sounded impressive. However it went downhill from there as he said that it had only taken him six weeks using just the IGI!! Chris Jefferies Cheltenham Glos -----Original Message----- From: bristol_and_somerset-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:bristol_and_somerset-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Josephine Jeremiah Sent: 04 January 2014 12:23 To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com Subject: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's family history Hi Listers, In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is now, but I helped as much as I could. Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past family members and asking for any information about them. This went into the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future. By 2011, new family records had become available so I thought of my correspondent and found three marriages, two births and two baptisms, which I sent off plus details of a site where further information could be found on 19th-century family members. I did not receive a reply at the time, but now nearly three years later I have received one. It turns out that my correspondent, rather than being pleased with the new information, was annoyed with me for 'checking' on these family members and had decided not to contact me any more. So I am in a dilemma, now, concerning other requests for family history information which I receive almost daily, off list, from people who have found my posts in the rootsweb archives. I now feel I don't want to carry on helping people, but it's not in my nature to be dismissive when someone, often a complete stranger, asks for help. I have the added problem that my main computer which is used for research and e-mail has broken down, yet again, after only a year's use. I'm currently using an old and very noisy computer, which is also very slow and liable to break down, too. It's a dilemma I'll have to work out for myself, I know, but in the meantime I may not be helping out, as much as I formerly did. I think that I need to take a break as this has caused me much distress. Josephine ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

On Sat, 04 Jan 2014 17:37:20 -0000, Chris Jefferies <chris.jefferies@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote: > I have been tracing my family tree for over 30 years now and had numerous > similar encounters. > A contact rejected my suggestion for suitable parents saying that surname > spelling was not identical to the person she was researching. Hi Chris, Thanks for your response on the cautionary tale thread. Your comment on surname spelling caught my eye because if your contact was referring to a member of the JEFFERIES family then we both know that this surname has many variations in spelling. I've heard that my step-great grandfather, Edwin JEFFERIES, who lived in Staple Hill at the time of the 1901 census and St. George at the time of the 1911 census, was spoken of as JEFFREY by his step-daughter's paternal relatives who lived at Oldland. He and his family were recorded as JEFFREY in the 1851 census, when he was living at North Common, Bitton. In 1861, he and his family were recorded as JEFFERIS when they lived in Oldland Common. Edwin's surname was recorded as JEFFRIES in the 1871, 1981 and 1891 censuses and JEFFERIES in the 1901 census. The 1911 census index has Edwin and his family as JEFFIRIES. So, there was a number of spelling variations of the surname JEFFERIES in this one family. Josephine

Dear Josephine, When I read this post my heart went out to you.Don't let the selfishness and arrogance of this person get you down.Over the years I have seen the wonderful way in which you are willing to help people which is truly a gift.I'm sure other folk on the list will agree .While this person has treated you this way it appears they are not very nice and more than likely would have treated others the same way and I believe they don't deserve anyones help.Your joy comes from helping others so please don't give up what you do so well.Just try and forget about this person.I know how hurtful this is as the same thing has happened to me trying to help but a dear friend gave me some good advice and told me that .."This will pass" and when it does you will be able to get on and do what you love and do with enthusiasm and joy.Don't let this person take that away from you. I hope you can get your computer problems sorted soon and you can get back into this passtime which you love and which the majority of peope researching their families know that without people like you to help them they would get nowhere fast. Keep your chin up and God Bless Elaine. -----Original Message----- From: bristol_and_somerset-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:bristol_and_somerset-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Josephine Jeremiah Sent: Saturday, 4 January 2014 11:23 PM To: bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com Subject: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's familyhistory Hi Listers, In 2000, I corresponded with someone a number of times about their family history. Back then there wasn't as much information available as there is now, but I helped as much as I could. Subsequently, my correspondent put a message on rootsweb naming past family members and asking for any information about them. This went into the rootsweb archives and is available for anyone to see now or the future. By 2011, new family records had become available so I thought of my correspondent and found three marriages, two births and two baptisms, which I sent off plus details of a site where further information could be found on 19th-century family members. I did not receive a reply at the time, but now nearly three years later I have received one. It turns out that my correspondent, rather than being pleased with the new information, was annoyed with me for 'checking' on these family members and had decided not to contact me any more. So I am in a dilemma, now, concerning other requests for family history information which I receive almost daily, off list, from people who have found my posts in the rootsweb archives. I now feel I don't want to carry on helping people, but it's not in my nature to be dismissive when someone, often a complete stranger, asks for help. I have the added problem that my main computer which is used for research and e-mail has broken down, yet again, after only a year's use. I'm currently using an old and very noisy computer, which is also very slow and liable to break down, too. It's a dilemma I'll have to work out for myself, I know, but in the meantime I may not be helping out, as much as I formerly did. I think that I need to take a break as this has caused me much distress. Josephine ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to BRISTOL_AND_SOMERSET-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Dont stop helping Josephine, this person who bawled you out is one needle in very large haystack. That is obvious by all of the comments. We who live overseas are very appreciative of any help we can receive. Even if we have the information we can politely say so and also when we ask for help we can also make sure we tell those of you who like to help (me included) what we already do have, to save folk wasting their time going over old ground. We do have access to ancestry, findmypast and The genealogist, Familysearch, but they are not the Original Parish registers, sometimes they give an origianl record but mostly not so. We could do with the original and those of you on the spot have access to and have very kindly on many occasions gone out of your way to check for us. Even if it hasnt been the original it gives us a leg up on where to look, which is helpful as well. Yes we can get the film in and for my own I have done this often, but it takes time to get in and like most genie buffs, I want it yesterday. An idea comes to you and you want it right then. This is where you have been so helpful Josephine and those of you who have helped me out as well. Thankyou for your past help Josephine and others on the list much appreciated Edie Tasmania ----- Original Message ----- From: "Josephine Jeremiah" <jojeremiah@dsl.pipex.com> To: <bristol_and_somerset@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, January 04, 2014 11:22 PM Subject: [B&S] A cautionary tale about helping with other people's familyhistory