Message Boards (also known as Query Boards or Forums)

A message board is an online discussion area in which users with similar interests post messages or queries in the hopes that others who may be researching the same surnames and/or ancestors will see your post and respond with the requested information, or offer other information and/or resources. The Ancestry Query Board is a great site for submitting queries or searching for past queries on your family history. With more than three million paying subscribers and 15 million people in the AncestryDNA network, their query board is surely the most active query board. That said, several other online message boards are listed at the bottom of this page.

If you would like to see old queries that have been archived from the former Douglas County WAGenWeb click HERE.

How to write an effective query:

• Include the surname(s) you are searching for in bold letters or in all CAPITAL letters. Give alternative spellings if known.
• Give dates or approximate dates of events, along with locations. This is very important. If you do not have dates and/or locations, give your best guess and be as specific as possible.
• Use upper and lower case letters in your query. Using all CAPS (other than for a surname) distracts from the important parts you want people to read and some people think of it as screaming.
• Keep your query as brief as possible. No one wants to read the entire family tree, they just want to see the part that interests them.
• Briefly share what you already know and where you found it, or where you looked.
• Summarize your message by stating exactly what you hope to find. Be specific, be brief.
• Offer to share information you already have in your ancestral records.
• Don't forget to include sufficient contact information but do not provide your home address or phone number. If the site requires you to log-in, keep a record so you can go back and update your contact information if your contact information changes. Many times, someone might respond to an older post when new information comes to light.

List important information in your title:

• "Looking for family" is NOT a good title, everyone is looking for family/ancestors, etc.; nor is "HELP!!" People that look through queries don't usually have the time or inclination to look at "Help" queries. Personally, I rarely look at either of the types of queries above. "James Holley 1877 IN" or "Holley 1850 NY>OH>IN" are good titles. It gives name, time frame, and location.
• "Death Records - 1820" is another example of a good title. It gives what you are looking for and the time frame.

Suggestions:

• If you have an online family tree or your own personal genealogy page, submit a link to this site so that others who may be researching the same family will be able to see your family tree. Make your email address available either here on this site or at your online family tree so people may communicate with you.
• Ask researchers to email you personally.
• Make sure your email and/or a mailing address are at the bottom of the query. This way people will not have to click to two or three places to find your address.
• Send follow up messages and acknowledge with a "thank you" when someone contacts you with information.
• If you are able, volunteer to do look-ups in your local area or at the very least, offer to look in your own records for information that might help someone else.
• Before you post a query on a forum, do a search to see if someone else has posted a query on the same ancestor. If it's a newer post, you may want to reply rather than start a new thread on the same subject.

Free Online Genealogy Forums:

• The Ancestry.com RootsWeb Mail List was discontinued as of March 2, 2020 and you can no longer post queries here. However, you may visit the Douglas County Message Board online and scroll through the list page by page and/or perform searches.
• Ancestry.com Message Boards is very active in general. The world's largest online genealogy community with over 25 million posts on more than 198,000 boards. You do not need to be a paid subscriber to use their message boards.
• GenForums is a source not only for their forums but for developing your research skills. They offer a wealth of information beginning with a "getting started guide", form letter templates for requesting information, and a multitude of tips and hints including writing to family members. The list goes on and on. If you're just getting started, or even if you're a seasoned genealogist, this website is a must.
• RootsChat offers help for beginners with a family history beginners board among others.
• Family Tree Forum (not related to FamilyTreeDNA.com or the FamilyTreeMaker software) provides a site where registered members can research and socialize. Registration is free. This forum appears to be active and current, however, may be located in the United Kingdom. There is a page for Washington State with links to few resources. The site in general is worth a visit.
• CuriousFox is for anyone researching family history in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Perhaps your Douglas County ancestors originated there?