Am I missing something important ?

Question

From time to time I get messages from various members, to the effect that their 20+ great grandfather was related to Lord Whatever. That is nice for them that they have traced their family back that far, but I don't understand what is then required of me. How am I expected to react, what am I supposed to reply.

I am not trying to belittle them or their researches, and I wish them all the very best of luck, but I still don't know what I am expected to do about it. Very often the ancestor they mention is no relative of mine, there is no connection as far as I can tell.

It just leaves me a little mystified.

Comments

Using your best Church Lady voice (TM, Saturday Night Live) respond, "Isn't that special?"

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The only way to solve the mystery, Tim, would be to ask those members why they sent you that information.

If the relationships concern a profile that you manage, some of the members may be expecting a response.

Sometimes we presume that the other party understands our communications and knows whether or not a reply is necessary!

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I would not know how, Ron, I don't 'do' church, but nor do I wish to cause any offense. I am, by nature, a loner and not good at insincerity, even when it is politically expedient. I think my best option is to say nothing, and hope they understand.

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Should we take down the link:

"For a good time, message Tim Perry?" ;)

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Afraid I don't have the faintest clue what you are on about.

I am not aware of any such link, or is this some attempt at humour ?

In which case it has fallen rather flat.

Answer 1

I think you say what you just posted, as diplomatically as you can.  Perhaps compliment them on their thorough and successful research, then politely ask what you can do for them.

Or maybe I'm missing something, too.  :)

Answer 2

Maybe you don't even have to answer.  Just click on the link to 'thank them' immediately underneath their message, and leave it at that.  They're probably not expecting you to reply anyway.

Answer 3

If you check their lineage you will probably find that some of them are making an assumption of connections to nobility based on unsourced profiles. In such cases you can offer them advice on how to improve their research.

Comments

I've tried that before, Lynda, and always seem to manage to step on someone's toes, even when I supply documentary evidence. Some folk only want to hear what suits their purpose, and refuse to let facts get in the way. So I just say nothing, let them think what they wish.

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True, but it is rather unfortunate if their purpose leads to errors in Wikitree which then get used by others who are trying to collect noble ancestors without doing any verification.

Answer 4

Depending on the person and their previous exposure to genealogy, they might even just be excited. It may be their first time looking through trees, and they might not know what quite to say but still want to make a connection somehow.