Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine closes its long-running online forum
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine has had to close the door on its family history forum.
The forum, hosted on www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com, was a popular community where family historians around the world shared their discoveries, advice and brick walls.
Sadly we were forced to close the forum down because the platform it ran on no longer met modern standards for online security.
We are planning to upgrade to a more modern and easy-to-use website in the near future, but it wasn’t financially viable to upgrade the forum at the same time as upgrading the website.
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine editor Sarah Williams announced the transition on the forum on 7 May, to give forum users the time to copy and paste important information from the forum’s many thousands of posts and exchange contact details with other users.
She said: “Over the years I have been inspired by your dedication and I have learned so much from you all, whether it’s magazine feedback, new websites or creative approaches to genealogical problems. Please stay in touch with us via social media or email. We have featured many of your success stories in the magazine, but there have been countless acts of kindness over the years which will not be forgotten.”
Many members of the forum paid tribute to everything the forum had meant to them.
Narnie said: “I’m just an occasional poster but I often read other queries and responses as it’s all part of learning. I am very sad to see it go. I’ve had a few of my problems solved by the kindness, generosity and expertise of other members and I know that goes for many others.”
Paulr1949 said: “I feel that regular posters and helpers on here have become virtual friends.”
The online forum was launched in 2009. At the time it was closed down it boasted more than 13,000 threads containing over 65,000 posts from more than 6,200 users.
All of the readers of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine are welcome to join our group at facebook.com/groups/wdytyareadergroup, where they will be able to connect with their fellow family historians, exchange tips and experiences, and solve each other’s problems.