Co-incidentally I started my family research using Genes (probably around 2007) but when I discovered Ancestry and saw a far superior site where I could actually see other family trees I was hooked, cancelled my Genes account and have never looked back.
They have been under the same ownership since 2009, when BrightSolid (the subsidiary of DC Thomson which owned Findmypast) bought FriendsReunited from ITV.
That will never happen - there are far too many of them, even if you only consider the ones who are researching their family tree. You only have to look at how many DNA matches you have at Ancestry to get an idea of the scale - and remember that most of your cousins won't show as DNA matches even if they have tested, because they don't share sufficient DNA.
And I thought that it was only my father's family!
I've never met any relatives on my father's side - but I have good collaborative relationships with quite a few, and so far as my family history research is concerned that's what matters.
Yes I fit nicely in the category of not being greatly (emphasis greatly) interested in cousins beyond 4th and mostly (again emphasis mostly) ignore the never-ending list of 5-8th cousins as precious few ever lead anywhere. The two emphasises relate to 'cousins' outside those parameters with good or reasonable good Public Trees which may tempt me to explore further. I give 'cold-shoulder' to the 'no-trees' and 'half-a-dozen-Tree brigade, and it takes a seemingly impressive Private Tree to tempt me to make contact.
Yes and I fit into this category also but not in a 'bloody-minded' kind of way, just that I place emphasis on 4th and better relationships, and consider that more than enough work - and still with gaps - on which to concentrate my attention. In other words I concentrate on the planets before exploring the solar system.
Your bias shows in the use of the phrase "4th and better relationships" when you could (and should) have written "4th and closer relationships".
That is pure pedantry Peter and whilst I know it is your hallmark, to me the term 'better' (using my synonym finder) has umpteen meanings from: (adjective) superior, greater, healthier, stronger and more along the same lines to verb: surpass, exceed, excel, eclipse et al - OR -as intended and meant - 3 is better (closer) than 4, and 3 better (closer) than 2 and so on. So no bias purely my interpretation over yours.
It all depends what one's objective is. My aim is to get back as far as I can on each of my ancestral lines, so I want to collaborate with the people who are best placed to help - whether they are relatives of mine or not (most are, of course). Since the existence of a familial relationship is not essential it follows that the closeness of a relationship is not as important to me as it might be for some.
I seem to recall one, perhaps two, who I have been tempted to message and who have elaborated on what was originally a mere token Tree, but in the main unless I sense something 'hidden' in what is showing , then I leave them be. Perhaps wrong of me, but time may no longer be money to me, but it is precious and I have too many other irons in the fire (and I speak genealogically) to warrant speculating on what might be.
Just because a genetic cousin doesn't have a tree doesn't mean that it cannot be useful, especially if it's possible to work out through shared matches where in one's own tree the connection is. It doesn't necessarily depend on the other person getting involved (or even replying), though there is much more potential if they do.
I accept that matching Trees may well contain more entries, but I dislike the 'token' Trees - I call them the 'Ma-Pa & myself' Trees which are simply not fit for purpose. Take the two Trees I submitted on behalf of my adoptive cousin and his wife after they said they were interested in taking a DNA test. They too were PUBLIC Direct-Ancestor Trees, plus -after consultation - included some inter-marriage connections that were important to them. I was most pleased with the response after test results were received, as were they and his wife communicates with at least two important contacts in her Tree which I passed on to her and my adoptive cousin's Tree resolved a family uncertainty for him.