Due to the wide-spread use of the Internet and the access people around the globe have to computers the use of ‘Message Boards’ like that are found on Rootsweb are marvelous references for locating data, records and hints to other sources previously unknown. Not just for certain ancestors is the message board useful, but for surnames and other categories also.
On the site, there are several methods for a search. First, using a key name (individual name) or a certain topic will produce a wide variety of listings. For example, the full name of ‘Daniel Groff’ produced 168 messages. The name was sometimes in a title or in the body of the message. It could have reference to the Groff family and then list a child named Daniel in the message. Each would be worthwhile to review. Just click on each to read the full post. These messages can be in the form of someone’s request for information about Daniel Groff or another person’s response with new information about Daniel. Now some of the messages can date back to 1998, but each should be examined. The many selections can be in categories like states, military, surnames, immigration or cemeteries. Never overlook any possibility.
Other categories by which to search is by locations. It is broken down into the United States (then each state and county), United Kingdom & Ireland (then into counties), Western Europe (then in countries like Netherland, Monaco, Italy, etc), Canada (its provinces and territories), Australia (its states and territory), South America (the countries on that continent), Caribbean, Central America, Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Another set of categories covers a wide range of topics. The category of Cemeteries is broken down into individual locations around the world. With Immigration and Emigration it is divided by location, but with also a section on ‘deaths at sea’, ‘ship records’, ‘ships from Europe’ and ‘Germans from Russia’.
Under the Military category the various wars are a sub-division. This is especially helpful if the researcher needed additional information about certain regiments, where they fought and if there are any additional resources on those military units.
Some special interest categories include death certificates, DNA research, adoptions, medical, photographs, heirlooms, coats of arms, religions, orphanages and many more. In each section is a selection of requests, data, questions, information, documents and advice to assist any family history researcher on any subject.
If you did not find an answer to a previously posted message, you can always create your own message. Just register, creating a user name, password and usable email address into Rootsweb site. Select the appropriate category and write your message. Make the subject title informative, but not too long. For instance, place the surname or ancestor’s name, birth year and location and possibility the wife’s name. If her maiden name is known, place that. Someone having information on the wife’s family just might also have data on her husband.
When there is a response you will get an email message that someone has replied. From there the prospects are endless.
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