Issues and Problems

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Allyssa on March 21, 2011 at 12:38pm

I get annoyed by frequent page errors, but many sites seem to be that way lately, so i just deal with it. the forums on the other hand, can be like a suicide mission. just some of the members seem to think that they poop icecream and rule the world. some are really horrid. but then again, some are wonderful. otherwise, what really irks me is that the site seems to have this policy about "not being a genealogy site".. which seems to mean that accuracy doesnt matter. so when a descendant, or distant family member, or just family researcher, comes along and would like to really flesh out a memorial that was already posted (often by a power poster, or "obit-jumper"), we can't do so unless the original person will add it for us, since most cant be bothered transferring them to us, unless we're immediate family. so, the memorials site there empty, or half arsed, or outright incorrect, just because its "not a genealogy site, its a cemetery site". i can bet you that there are more family historians on there than grave junkies!

 

and these "obit-jumpers" arent the ones that post from obits, they are the ones that hijack the paper as soon as it's out and post everything there before even their own family has had a chance to. my mother had a boyfriend for most of my childhood, his father was like a grandfather to me. but since hes not immediate family, i cant get him transferred to me. nor can i even get info added. the submitter will only accept errors, and only we're lucky. grrrr...

 

ok. thats about it lol

Permalink Reply by Lori Shoemaker Hellmund on March 21, 2011 at 1:06pm

I actually haven't been on this site for awhile, but I saw so many emails flooding my mailbox about this group that I decided I had better check it out and see what was going on.  I guess I'm shocked and disappointed.  I love findagrave.  It has given me access to information about my ancestors and has given me an opportunity to create memorial pages for my loved ones.  I have volunteered to take pictures for others and I have gratefully accepted the help of others.  I have seen my pictures show up on other websites, but I had to remind myself the reason why I take the pictures in the first place.  I want everyone to be able to find their ancestors and their loved ones.  I am not doing this for money.  I have been upset by people on other sites who instead of linking to my pictures, choose to take them, recrop them and then upload to their own pages without giving me credit, but I use findagrave for the purpose for which it was established.  I think it's terrible that the people who created it are being criticized for the way they set it up.  It was their idea and they stated very clearly how it works. No one forced anyone to add anything.  So, there's my two cents worth. 

Permalink Reply by DeeDee Baldwin on March 21, 2011 at 2:01pm

Lori, I agree 100%.

Permalink Reply by Allyssa on March 21, 2011 at 2:23pm

i'm more disappointed in the way they maintain, than the way they originally set it up. some policies i'm really not fond of, but most of my issues have to do with other people on the site, more than the site itself. but every community encounters the same problems. i do have issues with the site, but i still love it. i use it often and faithfully. i've been a member for just about 7 years now. i've cataloged whole cemeteries, filled many requests sent to me privately, etc etc. i refer so many friends to the site, even with its shortcummings. i believe the pros def outweigh the cons, at least for me. there really is no place else like it on the net. but still, everyone needs to complain now and again :)

 

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=46612070&;

Permalink Reply by Constance Elaine (Weldon) Benson on March 21, 2011 at 3:24pm

I am a findagrave volunteer.  I have had great success on this site getting others to take family headstone photo's for me and I have taken a number of photo's for others.  I have also had problems when requesting a transfer of a memorial to me.  My maternal grandparents are a good example.  Someone had put up their dates of birth & death but no other information.  I requested a transfer and the person who put it up, has never even bothered to respond to my request.  My solution was to add a memorial for them myself (I had photo's, obits & other information that I posted on their pages).  I am not sure that was the right thing to do but it seems to be better than having incorrect or no information listed.  To me, findagrave "IS" a very valuable genealogy site.  Whether or not that it was meant to be.  I have posted a few obits along with photo's when I have found them.  I try to do more than just a photo if I can.  And I for one feel that if someone requests that persons memorial be transferred to them, I do.  I have had such good luck having others help me in my search, it is the least I can do.  No matter what site you are on there are going to be great people to deal with and also the pains.  It is sad that others can't be as understanding as they should be with others family history. 

Permalink Reply by Allyssa on March 21, 2011 at 3:39pm

duplicates are indeed a nono. many people, myself include, spend alot of time trying to have them removed.  if this is your immediate family, you can get them transferred by the staff. you have to post on the forum i think. it's been a little while, so i'm not positive how, but i know you can most certainly have it done. otherwise, you might suddenly find that the one you worked hard on, is suddenly deleted. :\

 

and i'm with you, i have no problem transferring memorials to people (if they arent my immediate area of interest). even if it isnt their immediate family. i have it clearly on my page, that as long as you have interest in maintaining the memorial, i will gladly transfer. thats what matters to me, that it matters to them. if that makes any sense lol

Permalink Reply by Frank Glahn, Sr on March 21, 2011 at 4:29pm

I originally had an account with a username.  The original email address is no longer viable, and in the intervening years, I have opened a new account, with a new username.  How can I merge or delete the old account?  I do not remember the old password, although I do still see the username when I go to one of the memorials.  I would like to keep all the memorials on the original account, but transfer them to the new account.  Is this possible?  Thank you for your help.

Permalink Reply by Allyssa on March 21, 2011 at 4:32pm

that's something that i would contact the