many thanks for the update - all your very hard work is greatly appreciated - as someone with strong family links to the area I have found the records invaluable :)

Some years ago I wrote code to help with the searching of the FoD database. I met Dave in Perth in 2007 and we talked a bit about what I had done and agreed I would do some changes. I don't think that they ever happened!

I have only just heard of his death and would be happy to help if anything is needed.

Michael Williamson

Thanks for all your hard work in helping to make sure this valuable resource stays in tact. I just discovered it about a year ago and it has been invaluable in tracing my husband's family! Please keep us posted as to what we can do to help. I am not close to personally do anything to help, but would be more than happy to make a financial donation to help maintain whatever is needed.

Cindy Thomas

Kia Ora from NZ and obviously links to the Forest.

Anyone who has used this site knows what a wonderful resource and great community it is. And especially for those of us who do not live there.

I am sure that all of us would be happy to spend a joining fee on such a site.

I would not like the site to change too much as once you get to know it makes it easier to carry out your research.

Thank you so far for all that you have achieved.

Rita James
NZ

Please keep going. Along with so many others I have found this to be a wonderful resource. I'm willing to help financially if I can. LizzieN

This site has helped me so much with the information that it gives. Thankyou all I know you have all put a lot of hard work into it. I would be happy to subscribe yearly or donate to help to keep it going.

When Dave Watkins set this site up he was very keen that it should not become a Subscription site. Over the last 7 / 8 years donations have kept the site alive.

We would like the site to stay Subscription free, allowing users to contribute based on their ability and value they get from the site. Some contribute time to the transcription project etc.

This is certainly a topic for our meeting - thanks for the inputs

regards

David, Graham, May, Michael and Slowhands

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Just a very big thanks for this resource - I am willing to support it financially with whatever model you come up with - it is that important to my family history.

Like everyone else I would like to thank you all for keeping this fantastic site going after David's sad death. I would like to help as well.

Once again, thank you.

Janet Ballinger

It is clear you have our gratitude and support, thank you for preserving this site and planning to take it forward. Please count on my support too and keep us posted as to whatever help you need, we're right behind you!

You ask what we would like to see in the future and it is testament to David that there have not been any suggestions - he got it right, what a star!

Wills
When you have your planning meeting, could you consider the Wills Index? Would it be possible to make it easier to use by simply putting in just one set of search criteria then show everything that's applicable on the same screen, without having to go to a different place again to see the beneficiaries or copy and paste a will number into yet another section? It is not obvious at first where to paste the Will number to view the Will.

As a result of the search I would like to see all the appropriate options in one long scrollable list (sortable) rather than have a limited number on different pages. It would be good to have the Will number next to the name, as a clickable link to the actual Will with it's details on the same screen, making all the details easier to copy into my family tree software.

Newsletter
Also, to have a Newsletter emailed now and again would be fantastic too, to keep us all up to date.

Images
And for the pipe dream for the future? Well, that would be to have images of all the Parish Registers and other documents available to view and download from this site...!

Well you did ask!!

I can only echo what everyone else is saying , that this is a superb resource.
It has been an invauable resource to me over the years and many times I have wished there were others that could match it when reseaching other branches of the family.
I would be very happy to make a donation or indeed subscribe but I can understand that you want to keep in the spirit of what David wanted. At times we can all take things for granted and we must all play our part in keeping it going.