Message Boards

Message Boards are used to find and communicate with other people who may be researching the same families.  Used effectively, message boards are another tool in your family history research.

Popular Message Boards

• FamilySearch Forums Free forums organized by geography.
• GenForum at Genealogy.com.
• Message Boards at Ancestry.com.  Ancestry is a subscription site, but the Message Boards are free.
• Rootsweb Message Boards:  Same boards as Ancestry.com Message Boards, with Rootsweb banner instead.

Writing an Effective Message Board Query

Keeping your query simple, specific and to the point will increase the likelihood that someone will read it, recognize similarities in their family, and respond. 

Subject line

An effective subject line is essential!  Briefly summarize your query with who, where, when or any other specific information. Some examples: 

• Byron Bird, d. 1910, San Francisco, CA - need help finding probate
• Hartrick family - Pullersdorf, Germany to Adams County, Illinois 1854
• Civil War Service Records for Nevada

"Need Help" or "Help Finding My Grandmother" does not communicate who, where, when, or any information that may lead you to an answer.

Message content

As simply as possible, share what you DO know and where you found it, or where you've looked.  For example:

• "I can find the family in the 1850 census in California, and the 1870 census in Illinois, but have been unable to locate them in 1860."
• "My great grandmother's death certificate gives her birthplace as New York, but the 1900 census shows Germany, and the 1910 says New Jersey."

Summarize your purpose

Be sure to summarize your message by stating what you hope to find.