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Topic: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RootsChat ! or: "Then he said, 'why not do it?' so we did." (Read 10148 times)
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Berlin-Bob
Global Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 5684
by: My Daughter. Chatting to find her Roots !
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"I was complaining to Trystan and he asked me what I would do if I were running a website.
"Then he said, 'why not do it?' so we did."
The site went online on December 31, 2003.
Full interview: http://1901census.rootschat.com/rc-media.php#westernmail
So just what did Trystan and Sarah do ? This is my, personal view of what they did.
I joined RootsChat (RC) on 23rd. January 2004 and shortly afterwards I joined GenesReunited(GR, then GenesConnected) and ScotlandsPeople (SP).
Three forums, three different atmosphares.
I remember posting in a discussion about RootsChat on GR that RC was very 'helpful, but formal'.
I preferred GR and SP as they were much livelier. But that was then !! So, what changed ??
I believe that the BIG catalyst was, that on September 2004 the new Board "The Lighter Side" was opened, followed closely by 'The Even Lighter Side (Totally Off Topic)"in October 2004
This seemed (in my view) to release the humour of hundreds of RootsChatters, and
All of a sudden, all these serious, (dare I say it ?) somewhat staid seeming, sometimes even boring (I'm going to get lynched !) geneaolgists have been going crazy, and discovering that they ( still) have a sense of humour, and that this is a great place to show it ! 
and once this "lighter" touch was released, it rapidly moved onto the regular boards and gradually RootsChat became "the only place to be".
But it wasn't just the "lighter touch" --
at some stage RootsChat stopped being "just" an "I'm looking for my GGG-Grandad" Look-Up board and RootsChatters started branching out:
The "bread and butter" queries are still being answered, but every so often, a particular query, or photo, or snippet of information catches the eye and imaginations of RootsChatters, with fascinating results ..
for instance:
Topic: Local Detective Constable seeks your help in historic enquiry...
the monthly challenges starting from April 2005
Topic: The April 2005 Rootschat Challenge
Topic: "Parkhurst Boys" transported to NZ 1842/43
Topic: London Newspapers in 1823 A tale of russian spies and court intrigues ...
Topic: Mystery picture found near site of Canadian plane crash in Wales...who is he?
Topic: An interesting story......
Topic: BBC: A Challenge for Rootschatters
Topic: Where is this photo taken? Please?
All these and many more were read by hundreds of RootsChatters and Guests;
followed more closely than the "soaps", many waited tensely to see the "next episode", rejoiced when the next piece of the puzzle was discovered.
Some "listeners" even admitted to adding a "well done" reply, just so they would be "notified" of anything new.
Some of these results even reached the media: see RootsChat in the Public Eye
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« Last Edit: Saturday 31 December 05 09:11 UTC (UK) by Berlin-Bob »
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Searching for Coleman, Moore, Kallnung in London; Margulies, Remenyi in E. Europe; Ancestors of Hessie Stevenson-Coleman-Baxter (Ireland, 1861) and, of course, any other ancestors for my web-site. All Census Data included in this post is Crown Copyright (see: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) |
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Berlin-Bob
Global Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 5684
by: My Daughter. Chatting to find her Roots !
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(continued)
"Challenge" became the "buzz-word" for RootsChatters - but it wasn't just "Can you find ..." challenges !
On The Lighter Side we had
- Topic: Censuswhack
- the Caption competitions, from June 2005 through to
Topic: Annie's December Caption Competition
and many other light-hearted searches and challenges
On the Photograph Restoration board, experts and beginners shared their knowledge to restore photos.
Some of the best examples were added to a RootsChat Gallery
But the results weren't just the photos themselves: look closely at some of the topics, and you will often see comments from those who submitted the photos ["Mum is so thrilled...", "... asked me to thank all of you ..", etc].
My favourite example: Topic: Another photo to fix ........ please
On the Armed Forces Board people also rose to the various challenges, providing all sorts of information for the hungry seekers ..
What is noticeable on both these boards, is the fruitful co-operation and exchange (cross-pollination ?) with other 'expert forums'
A totally different challenge for some RootsChatters was actually just a side-effect of family history:
RootsChat offered free webspace to any RootsChatter who wanted to build a family history website.
Many RootsChatters who, on their own admission, had little or no idea of computers, internet, FTP, web-programming, etc, decided they would like to take advantage of the RootsChat offer and have their very own website.
Everybody who could pitched in and helped, and as the beginners learned, they themselves began to help others, and we now have an impressive list of RootsChat Member's websites
Topic: List of Rootschat Websites
RootsChatters also offered help and support on topics that had nothing to do with genealogy, they helped to find people when worried parents couldn't get in touch, they offered emotional and practical support in times of need, they even supplied recipes, and ideas for presents and parties.
So, coming back to the original question: what did Trystan and Sarah do ?
Well, I know they originally started a website to help answer genealogical queries, but, in my opinion, in doing so they actually provided the basis for a community of hobby genealogists and friends, who give and receive help in all sorts of things, not just genealogy.
On 31st. December 2005 RootsChat will be 2 years old
Happy Birthday, RootsChat, long may you grow and prosper ...
Thank You, Sarah and Trystan, for sharing your "child" with us ...
And, Thank You, Every RootsChatter, who has helped to make this site what it is,
like a second home full of the nicest people
or, to quote someone who is not even a RootsChatter, but who has personally experienced what RootsChatters can do:
Now I know why you love RootsChat so much, everyone gives of themselves unconditionally. in Topic: Another photo to fix ........ please
Update:
One year later:
Topic: "And now we are 3 !!": Dec 31 Rootschat's Birthday
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,202887.0.html
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« Last Edit: Tuesday 02 January 07 08:50 UTC (UK) by Berlin-Bob »
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Searching for Coleman, Moore, Kallnung in London; Margulies, Remenyi in E. Europe; Ancestors of Hessie Stevenson-Coleman-Baxter (Ireland, 1861) and, of course, any other ancestors for my web-site. All Census Data included in this post is Crown Copyright (see: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) |
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Keith Bateman
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 3824
.....The Cheshire Cat
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Now that's a birthday worth celebrating!! 
Well done to everyone - especially Trystan & Sarah
Keith
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Arranroots
Global Moderator
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 10891
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An excellent summary Bob.
You have just missed one thing that is "behind the scenes" but makes me look at Rootschat every day - the PM system.
I have regular daily correspondents all over the world, none of whom I knew before Rootschat. We talk about genealogy sometimes, but also put the world to rights, exchange useful info (several are helping me choose what kind of dog to have!!), commiserate, celebrate, you name it!
Then there is the chatroom - you have to be on your toes in there (thanks Sandee for initiating me!)
Happy Birthday Rootschat!!
Arranroots 
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Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SOM: BIRD, BURT aka BROWN HEF: BAUGH, LATHAM, CARTER, PRITCHARD GLS: WEBB, WORKMAN, LATHAM, MALPUS WIL: WEBB, SALTER RAD: PRITCHARD, WILLIAMS GLA: RYAN, KEARNEY, JONES, HARRY MON: WEBB, MORGAN, WILLIAMS, JONES, BIRD SCOTLAND: HASTINGS, CAMERON, KELSO, BUCHANAN, BETHUNE/ BEATON IRELAND: RYAN (WATERFORD), KEARNEY (DUBLIN), BOYLE(DUNDALK) |
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MaryA
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 7822
St Chads, Kirkby
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That was a great "This is Your Life" Bob. Rootschat has achieved such an enormous amount in such a short space of time, it's gone from strength to strength, I'm looking forward to seeing what the next year will bring.
Thanks Sarah and Trystan for giving birth to this baby for us all to enjoy.
Mary 
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Census Information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukLunt (Wavertree/West Derby), Forshaw (West Derby), Richardson (Knowsley), Kent (Cheshire), Cain (Hertfordshire, London), Larkins (Bedfordshire, London), Nunn (London), Lenton, Hillyard (Bedfordshire), Parle, Lambert, Furlong, Wafer (Wexford) Special separate interest in Longford (Blackrock, Dublin) |
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Shropshire Lass
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1190
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Thanks, Berlin-Bob, for all that background.
I didn't realise that the site was so young - Happy 2nd Birthday, Rootschat.
May the site continue to grow and grow.
Monica
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Census information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukDALBY - Suffolk and, after 1860, Birmingham. EBENEZER - Cardiganshire & Glamorgan. GARVEY and GRAHAM - Mayo. HUBBARD - Birmingham. MAUND and LEWIS - Shropshire and Birmingham. MORGAN(S) - Cardiganshire. SLADE - Somerset and Worcester. |
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goggy
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 1456
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Bob!what a very insightful write up,and in my case(memory man!!!)very timely.Thank you.
To the' Father'and 'Mother' of ALL Genealogical sites.Thank you.
My only wish for you all that contribute,those that adminster,those reader's not yet contributing,is that we all thrive and prosper,in all thing,s in the future.
Very Sincerely,Goggy. 
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Jane Swan
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2049
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Hi
Bob that is a great summary. Thanks Trystan and Sarah for all the pleasure you have given to all us Rootschatters. Also thanks to the hard work of all the moderators.
Jane
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Notts: Burrows, Comery, Foster, Beeson, Haynes, Swan. Derbys: Burrows, Comery, Smith Lincs: King. Warks & Salop: Swan, Duffy. Dublin: Duffy, Geraghty, Burgess. Monmouth: Lewis Information contained within Census Lookups is Crown Copyright: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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jericho
RootsChat Aristocrat
Posts: 2182
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Congratulations on such an enterprising idea, one which has seen such a rapidly growth in such a short time.
jericho
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McCarthy-Waterford NZ Fitzgerald-Waterford Morrissey-Cork NZ Nash-Limerick NZ Shorter-Berkshire, Herts Seagrie-Berkshire Watts-Berkshire Searles-Essex,Herts, NZ Stanford-Norfolk,Essex Rance-London,Essex Nathan-London Palmer-Hampshire Vaisey-Gloucestershire, Aust Andrews-Wiltshire,NZ Glover-Somerset,NZ Moody-Somerset Brown-Yorkshire, NZ Street-Hertfordshire, Middlesex Dewar-Angus, NZ Christie-Angus Census information is Crown Copyright from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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kerryb
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 11959
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Happy Birthday Rootschat and long may you remain the best site on the web!
Kerry
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Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.ukSearching for my family - Baldwin - Sussex, Middlesex, Cork, Pilbeam - Sussex, Harmer - Sussex, Terry - Surrey, Kent, Rhoades - Lincs, Roffey - Surrey, Traies - Devon & Middlesex & many many more to be found on my website .... www.kerrysfamilyhistory.co.uk |
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meles
RootsChat Marquessate
Posts: 3106
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I had no idea RootsChat was so new - it's all so professional. I have gained so much in the few months I have been using it. Thanks to the webmasters and contributors. Happy Birthday and Happy New Year.
meles
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Brock: Alburgh, Norfolk, and after 1850, London; Tooley: Norfolk Grimmer: Norfolk; Grimson: Norfolk Harrison: London; Pollock Dixon: Hampshire; Collins: Middx Jeary: Norfolk; Davison: Norfolk Rogers: London; Bartlett: London Drew: Kent; Alden: Hants Gamble: Yorkshire; Huntingford: East London Census information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk |
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