Genes Reunited, protecting the living

Lorna Allison · Post by **Lorna Allison** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:48 am

Hello Folks

Way back before my life was dislocated by a new (faulty and finally replaced) computer, a member helpfully described how to arrange on the GR site to keep the "living" from being displayed on that site.

I have tried to track this thread down, unsuccessfully, and wonder if the info could be repeated? I can't seem to find how to do it on the GR site.

I decided to go back with them as I had taken my tree off the site, but got a "free" offer under a marginally different email address. Having just entered my own name at that time, it appears that they have now accepted my updated tree without asking for money, although I wonder if that is just a trick to get me involved again

Would appreciate help re protecting the innocent

Regards

Lorna

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Thu May 17, 2007 3:26 am

Hi Lorna

If you go into your account details and scroll down a bit you will find where you can hide your living relatives.
If you look at your own tree it doesnt hide the living but if you look at anothers tree it does.

Lorna Allison · Post by **Lorna Allison** » Mon May 21, 2007 11:56 pm

Thank you very much for that Stewie. Particularly, thank you for the explanation about how I can see it, but apparently others can't. That was throwing me.

Sorry about not replying sooner. I usually have been alerted to a reply through my email but nothing came through. Maybe it went into my spam folder in ISP. Always these little gremlins tripping up the unwary

Thanks again

Lorna

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Sat May 26, 2007 3:29 am

Glad to be of help

I know all about those wee gremlins in the computer

My email programme took a fit a while back and selectively deleted stuff

jillwelsh · Post by **jillwelsh** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:26 pm

Just had a look at GenesReunited for the first time in ages and realised that someone has my 13 year old son's details in their tree (although not my other kids), right down to the name of the hospital he was born in. I presume I can ask/insist (nicely) that they take these details off their tree? I know from the surname that there will be a very, very distant link (probably at least 5 generations ago).

Jill

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Mon May 28, 2007 5:04 pm

Hi Jill

You certainly can, and should ask, that they take out names and details of living folks. Whether they will comply and be reasonable is a different matter

I have come across acouple of people on Genes who seem to want to populate their tree with as many names as possible regardless of the closeness or distance of the actual contact. A bit like collecting stamps or something.

If they do not comply you should contact the Admin people on Genes Reunited and ask them to remove the information. They should comply.
I no longer open my tree to anyone and have not updated it. I only respond to those with a definite link who get in touch directly and have not renewed my membership as the whole thing is now becoming a nonsense. I get three pages of 'hot matches' where the only link is a name and a date - not even a place name.
To be fair, I have had several worthwhile contacts from it but that was ages ago.

Russell

jillwelsh · Post by **jillwelsh** » Mon May 28, 2007 5:08 pm

Thanks Russell

Have sent him a polite message!

I haven't been on the site for ages as I get really fed up with the so called "hot matches" - I've only had one success with a contact and that too was at the very beginning.

Best

Jill

AnnetteR · Post by **AnnetteR** » Mon May 28, 2007 5:25 pm

Hi Jill

I can sympathise with your situation as the same thing happened to me just recently when me, my mother, brother and sisters all appeared on the tree of a person I had never been in contact with or even heard of. I sent the lady a message asking why we all appeared in her tree and the reply I got was that she couldn't work it out. As Russell points out these people are just name gatherers and want there tree to bulge at the seams. Where is the fun in that. Researching all your family yourself is much more satisfying and, more to the point, accurate not to mention the fact that it makes the whole thing much more personal and gives you a feeling of knowing your relatives. I sent the lady a polite message asking her to remove me and my living relatives from her tree which she did but was quite 'miffed' and couldn't see my reasoning behind it. Some folk just don't get it do they?

Cheers

Annette R

jillwelsh · Post by **jillwelsh** » Mon May 28, 2007 5:37 pm

I've had a reply from the GR tree owner already - he's agreed to take my son's details off his tree.

This has all come from an Rootsweb contact in Canada about 10 years ago who got a little too carried away and telephoned my other relatives in Canada (even although I distinctly asked her not too - she even tracked down their numbers!)

Thanks!
Jill

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Tue May 29, 2007 11:58 pm

I have done the same as Russell, not updated my tree and reply only to those who get in touch directly. As for the "Hot Matches" you can opt out of them in your account details.
It's too bad the site is not looked after better, it has the potential to be a great site, but when you pay to join and then find it is other paying members that are the biggest source of help, it is a little frustrating!
I think it was great place to start in this hobby and my first really related contact found me on GR, but with unmoderated forums and the abuse by a few of the family trees it seems to be time to move on to other sites.

My opinion, for what it's worth

Barbara