What has Rootschat done for you?

[Jool]

I've been on Rootschat for over 10 years now, I discovered it through an internet search for my  other half's Dodson tree.  A lovely lady called Celia (now sadly no longer with us) helped me and emailed me so much information, I was overwhelmed by how kind and willing to help she was.  I was then hooked on Rootschat.

I was fairly new to genealogy when I joined and I have learned so much from reading the posts of more knowledgeable Rootschatters.  I have had photos restored by our amazing restorers which I will treasure.  I take great pleasure from watching the photo restore board to see the amazing work they can do on old and damaged photos - a huge pat on the back to our restorers.

When I lost my dear dad in 2015 Rootschat helped me immensely.  It was at the time Cazza59 was posting her "Where am I" threads.  Focusing my mind on these threads helped me get through a difficult time, I sent a pm to Cazza to let her know how much her threads had helped me.

Big thanks to Sarah and Trystan for this brilliant forum.

[Jomot]

What a great post GS.

I'm still a relative 'newbie' with less than 5 years under my belt, but I also ended up here via Google whist trying to distract myself, not long after my Mam had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  I often lack confidence around people but everyone was so friendly & helpful I found myself returning again & again. 

I'm still lacking the confidence to join in the TOT chats, but I will never forget how supportive everyone was when I posted about my son, who was suffering from depression.  For various reasons I couldn't turn to friends & family, and I literally wept with relief when complete strangers stepped forward and helped, offering kindness, empathy and practical suggestions.  Rootschat was honestly my lifeline during those darkest of days when I truly feared my son might take his own life.

For anyone who remembers that thread, I'm delighted to say he's completely recovered and moves into his first house next week, along with his wonderful girlfriend, two cats, seven guitars & a ukelele!

To quote philipsearching: "What has Rootschat done for me? - More than I can ever hope to give back".

[DavidG02]

Searching Gibbins Family led me to The Elusive Gibbins Branch of the Family . But it was in the Leicestershire forum. Cant be mine , they came from Bedfordshire.

How wrong was I as it smashed a brickwall.

Joined and have had a lot of queries and theories tested and confirmed or denied. All part of the fun

Thanks everybody

[Nanna52]

Been on here just over five years.  Started after I googled the name of the executor of my grandmothers will.  I couldn't work out why she would choose strangers when she had four living siblings, an aunt and uncle and many in-laws.  I found him on rootschat and that he was a husband of a cousin.  Also managed to confirm my great great grandmothers linage.

Jomot the TOT chats can be fun.  I have become involved with the Global Galah Session.  It was named after the Galah session that people in outback Australia had over the radio, where isolated people had a time each day when access was free and they could get on and socialise.  Now it is global and on the internet.  Join us, we don't bite.

[Viktoria]

Just looked it up and November 2008 was when I found RootsChat.
I remember Mancsman so well.
He and a friend went to Manchester’s General Cemetry(Queen’s Park)
and actually cleared years and years of leaf mould off a family flat grave and sent me photographs.
Last burial 1910.How very kind that was.
I met him there later and it was so nice to thank him personally.
He has not been on for ages and I do wonder how he is.
If you still use RootsChat Mancsman ,Thankyou again and I hope all is well.
Let us know.
I would like to P.M him,how can I do that as he has not been on for so long, and would it be tactful?
Viktoria

[kiwihalfpint]

Help me with those that have left us..  cos this head is useless of late.

I remember RABBIT B super - cheeky we became great friends off Rootschat as well.

Xin here you go ... I am sure we all have our memories of those on the list

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=761637.msg6129605#msg6129605

Ten years since I have been on here, like everyone else was googling, wondering which relative I was related to and found myself looking through the window of RC, do I or don't I, what am I getting into I thought if I join. First popped into the Chat Room, and meet many people, one who I am in contact still via Skype, didn't take me long to poke my nose into or should I say I gatecrashed into a conversation on YTG and the rest is history. 

Thank you Sarah and Trystan, ten years is a long time on a forum, but along the way, have seen the many changes to the forum, moderators come and go, the hamster not turning the wheel fast enough and down goes RC, but hey the joy folks get when their bricks start to come down.   

Cheers
KHP

[Greensleeves]

I am really enjoying reading how we all came to RC for the first time and it seems nearly all of us started by googling.... it's a bit like finding a door into another world!

I am so pleased to hear from Jomot that her son is recovered and that his life is looking good; I remember her worry and sadness at that time and I know how isolating illness and worry can be.  And Jomot, as Nanna52 says, the ToT boards are very friendly and inclusive and open to everyone.  I remember the first time I plucked up courage to post on one, and I was astounded to find that I had people replying to my comment and welcoming me.  And as a result of that I made lots of new friends. 

When my daughter was at uni, I ventured 'up north' to a RC get-together to meet some of these new friends.  My daughter was very sceptical and raised an eyebrow, and the conversation went thus:

Daughter:  You say you know these people.  Where did you meet them?
Me:  On the internet.
Daughter:  (sigh)  May I remind you what you've always told me about meeting people you've come across on the internet?
Me:  Oh, but this is different.  They are nice people, we are good friends.
Daughter:  I reckon you'll be met at the other end by an old man in a raincoat.  I worry about you sometimes.

Needless to say, there was no old man in a raincoat, I had a wonderful time and met several people on that day that I'm still in touch with.

[kiwihalfpint]

Daughter:  I reckon you'll be met at the other end by an old man in a raincoat. 

    Should be a warning that says read this before drinking or eating ... I nearly choked with laughter 

[jaybelnz]

Just checked and found that I registered on Rootschat in June 2009!  As with a lot of others, I found it by accident when searching via Mr Google! 

Similar to everyone else, I have found Rootschatters to be amazingly helpful in all respects, including photo restorations,  and that's been a wonderful experience.  Like a lot of people it took me a while to feel confident to pop my head into the TOT boards, but was made to feel very welcome!  I also discovered that there were people in TOT who are as crazy as me, but at the same time intelligent, respectful, friendly, helpful & very kind, and are a pack of nutters!  Luvya all heaps, and huge respect and thanks to Trystan and Sarah for establishing what I feel is the best Genealogy forum on the net, (also the best social media)!  💞💞👍👍🌹🌹🌹

Just checked and found that I registered on Rootschat in June 2009!  As with a lot of others, I found it by accident when searching via Mr Google! 

Similar to everyone else, I have found Rootschatters to be amazingly helpful in all respects, including photo restorations,  and that's been a wonderful experience.  Like a lot of people it took me a while to feel confident to pop my head into the TOT boards, but was made to feel very welcome!  I also discovered that there were people in TOT who are as crazy as me, but at the same time intelligent, respectful, friendly, helpful & very kind, and are a pack of nutters!  Luvya all heaps, and huge respect and thanks to Trystan and Sarah for establishing what I feel is the best Genealogy forum on the net, (also the best social media)!  💞💞👍👍🌹🌹🌹

Sorry I forgot to say that when on a trip to England I met up with 2 RC members. WILLSY, who had be been really helpful with a Scavenger Hunt on here!  I met her for lunch, I think in Mansfield, and we had a great time talking FH over a lovely lunch in umm... Weatherspoons I think it was called!

I also visited the Mansfield Library, (where I had arranged my visit from NZ)' and I was able to view and take photographs of the original paintings they held by local Mansfield Artist Ann (Dawn) Paulson, who married into my Paulson/Dunnill family.  Most of the paintings were a bit damaged with age, but I was able to have some of those beautifully restored by the incredible RC Photo Restoration! 

I also met up with JOSIE, another RC member!  She took me all around Mansfield, went to all sorts of places a bit further away, some relative to Lord Byron, and others relative to where some of my Dawn/Paulson/Dunnill Families. I can't recall the exact itinerary, but it was an amazing experience! 

WILLSY & JOSIE, if you are reading this, I have never forgotten the wonderful times I had in your company, and how you were both so kind and generous with your presence and your time!                    Thank you!  And huge thanks again to the amazing Rootschat Photo Restorer Team, you are all stars. 🌟🌟🌟

Right -  now I'm about to watch "Vanity Fair" film on TVNZ - with the great Martin Clunes!

G'Night all! sweet dreams!.