Rootsweb Message Boards

Tips on using the Rootsweb Message Board to its fullest potential.  After the merger and the loss of the GenConnect Boards (those puzzle piece icons), people were sort of lost on where and how to contribute their stuff, as well as how to retrieve stuff for which they were searching.

When you go to the Jackson County Message Board, you will see this:

Directly above, notice the "View Message Type:" box.  From the drop down menu, you can select from the following classifications:

QUERY is the most popular type of post.  OBITUARY is another popular type of post; researchers will type up their family newspaper clippings and submit them here.  Most of the classifications are not used, yet.  If you come across BIBLE RECORDS, DEEDS, WILLS, etc, just type them up and submit them under the specific classification.  If you come across BIRTH, DEATH, or MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES, type them up and submit those as well.   A QUERY or anything else that you type up and submit will be posted on the Jackson County Message board, and will also appear on our mailing list.

WHERE AND HOW TO CONTRIBUTE:

1. Click on "POST NEW MESSAGE."  Enter your name, email, subject and message.  Below the Message Box is the classification box.  Select the correct classification for the type of post you are making.  Finally, enter any surnames that correspond to the post and hit the PREVIEW MESSAGE or the POST MESSAGE button.  Voila!  You've contributed, and researchers everywhere greatly appreciate it.

2. Remember, you may want to post things to our county list as well as to a specific surname list.  Often times it makes it easier/quicker for other researchers to find your information. 

HOW TO RETRIEVE:  This should be simple enough, but there have been times when I have not found things that I should have been able to find, so MAYBE this information will help you.

1. The ADVANCED SEARCH engine has much greater filtering capabilities.  At any point on the message board, you can click on the Advanced Search Link, as seen below.

Search:   All Boards Jackson Board    Advanced Search

              2.   Be sure to try the surname you are searching in each of the four different fields numbered below, ONE AT A TIME, and with each different classification/message type so that you aren't overwhelmed with the search results.