Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

I know that this has been said before but could I remind those who are seeking information to always share what they already know or at the very least say thank you (which is all I ask) when they receive a reply to a query they have sent.

I have a database of 84,000 officers and men who served with the Liverpool Regiment during WW1 (including the locations of 6200 named photos and a lot of information which is not on the internet!) which I have compiled over the last 25 years. My email address gets passed around and inevitably I get emails asking for information - I have no problem with this as I am happy to help. Recently however, I have noticed that more and more of those sending emails (almost 50% over the last month) cannot even be bothered to say thank you. It can take me an hour to answer a query - a thank you takes less than a minute. For this reason, and for the time being, I am no longer answering emails (other from those I know) and will be channeling my time in other avenues.

Joe Devereux

Unfortunately this seems to be the trend these days and it is a pity that it is forcing you to give up answering emails. As you say it only takes a minute or so to say thank you.
I always thank the girls in my local supermarket and they tell me that I am in a minority.
Hopefully you will be able to change your mind in the not too distant future.

Regards,
Heli

It happens a lot on various forums the worst one for me is Ancestry some people post an enquiry then don't come back to it. Another pet hate is people simultaneously posting the same enquiry on more than one forum. Not only should people tell us everything they know they should also say what online help they've had already to save duplication.


Blue

You're right, Joe - courtesy costs nothing.

We are grateful for all help, but we also know just what you mean. I have spent time checking out resources at the Record Office, time I could have spent on my own research, with never an acknowledgement from the poster.

I now make it a rule that I will do this only for our Society Members as they usually have the manners to be grateful.

I have just spent an evening at the behest of the City Farm searching for a grave at Walton with the minimum of information which turned out to be incorrect. When I sent the info that I could determine,I was informed that they "already knew that,but Thanks"!
No longer sure what they expected ,but had they given me that info at the beginning I could have saved a considerable amount of time that I could have used on my own research.
Well said All

Just taking a minute or two to echo the sentiments expressed about common courtesies such a 'Thank You'.

It seems to me that the people who do appreciate anything you have helped with and express a 'Thank you' in some way, be it simply for holding a door open or trawling databases for info, tend to be from an 'older' generation. Or is it just me yearning for days that are gone?

I'm really sorry that you are not answering emails anymore, a few years ago you answered my email and gave me so much information about my Great Uncle George Cousins that I would never have been able to find out myself, I thanked you then and I am still thanking you now.

Regards

Val

I have to agree with DS on This. I think the younger generation don't seem to talk to each other anymore, so the need for politeness has gone. Tex messages rein supreme. Hang on though, I know some pretty rude old people as well. Must be society in general
Yes, a thank you does go a long way, plus a well done usually rounds things off nicely
Take care. Gareth.

Have to agree with all that has been said.
I'm still waiting for a reply on another forum from April! My directories were working overtime and not a dickie bird since.

All it takes is a quick click of the mouse and "Ta very much", not asking a lot really.
Thank goodness for all the lovely folks on this forum

The same could be said of those coming to our help desk. Yesterday a lady came looking into her fathers side asking about a marriage that happened about 1906. I spent 15 mins looking for the said marriage which I eventually located and she then pulled a slip of paper from her bag with all the details that had been located for her at Huyton. Joe don't give up you choose who you reply to and who not.

I think I normally say "thank you" , I really do appreciate the help given on this and other forums. If I have forgotten, please accept my grateful thanks now and in the future.
Lynne

Lynne you do and you help.

I agree with all posters about how annoying it is when you find something out for someone send it and they never bother to reply. The other one that annoys me is you say you'll print something out at home and will bring it to the next help desk and you never see them again.

Fortunately there are also many very grateful people. Who do thank you and even bring us biscuits and choccies!

Yes a thank you goes a long way!

A big THANKS to everyone on L & S.W. L. who helps others.

I have just looked at our site and found this link and must say I am shocked that Joe has been made to feel like this, and he appears not to be the only one. A "thanks very much" and a smile go a long way not only face to face in everyday life but also using all the help we get through sites like ours from people who are faceless and pull out all stops imaginable and you would never know them if you passed in the street. This sort of courtesy was always taught early in your life and should stay with you throughout.
Please don't give up Joe I am certain these folk hopefully are in the minority and you have just been unlucky with your contacts.
Regards Liverbird

I wonder sometime if people actually read the replies people post it certainly doesn't seem as if they do sometimes.

Hi MaryA, thank you for helping with my log-in - nice to see you are still here helping everyone with their research - thanks again - Holly - aka Clare

Lovely to see you back on here Holly aka Clare Hope we will be able to help with some of your problems and you with ours

I would like to say a VERY BIG thank you to MaryA for being so patient and helpful with my login problems. All is well now and the problem was so small if I had been able to see the letters instead of the black spot it would have been easier.
I hope that one day I will be able to help somebody. Meanwhile I will set to and set new laptop up for transcribing for Freebmd once again