Questions You Might Be Asking About PastPlaces

What Is PastPlaces And How Does It Work?
The concept is quite simple: Pastplaces.com is a structured database which consists of place, people, events, stories and memory listings under several different categories. It allowing you to use predefined groups and questions to list the information you have available or the information that you have to offer. This predefined group information is then available to any member or any visitor to PastPlaces. Basic members can also enter in their own words, a detailed summary of the information that they have available or would like to obtain. They can also choose to include their e-mail address or any other contact information. Contact information and detailed summaries can not be seen by other Basic Members or other visitors to PastPlaces. Only Full Members can view Basic Members summary information and any contact details that the Basic Member has elected to reveal.

You can add places from anywhere in the world. In addition to homes, you can list buildings of historic interest, people and friends. Listings can be an area in general or you might want something specific; such as a video of the route you used to walk to school. You might want to find information about a holiday destination, old pubs or clubs you used to frequent, or you might be an expatriate who is living on the other side of the world and would like someone to video places from your youth. PastPlaces also allows you to list places of employment, education, military service, entertainment and worship. You can also list historic events or family events.

Leave your places on the system and wait to receive messages from other members. If you have elected to receive e-mail notifications of messages, then you will get an automatic e-mail letting you know that you have a new message on the PastPlaces system. Alternatively, you will have to sign on from time to time to check if you have any new messages. To read fully detailed messages about your places, or to add detailed requests and upload images, you will need to become a full member.

Do I need To Reveal My Contact Details Right Away?
No, not unless you are ready to do so. The main point of PastPlaces is to keep your contact information private until you decide that you want to communicate with another member. You can also elect to upgrade to Full Membership and communicate directly with other Full Members via the PastPlaces messaging system. The messaging system does not reveal your identity unless you type in your name and contact e-mail.

How Do I Communicate With Other Basic Or Full Members?
Basic Members can now send other member a message, which consists of both detailed information and also predefined answers. If the member who you are sending the message to is a Basic Member, they will only be able to see the predefined part of your message. In order for them to view the information that you have added in the full detailed part of your message, this member will need to upgrade to a full membership. If you have chosen to reveal your full contact details in the main part of the message, this member can then contact you directly by e-mail. If you have chosen not to reveal your contact details in the full part of the message, then they can send you a reply via the pastplaces messaging system and you will then need to upgrade to Full Membership in order to read their comments.

Why Should I Consider Using PastPlaces.com?
Unlike message forums and bulletin boards, the information that you enter is still easily found on PastPlaces after a long period of time. Your message does not drop down the list of messages month after month - replaced by newer entries. It is not subject to potentially unwanted public comment. You decide who you want to communicate with on a one-to-one basis. You can add as many listings as you want. Searching the database to find potential sources of information is easy.

What Does It Cost?
Basic Membership is FREE. Enter as many places or people as you want. Full Membership costs £5-00 GBP ($8-17 US) depending on your method of payment. that you choose. We have also now introduced the concept of Membership Upgrade Shopping LInks.

Why Upgrade To Full Membership?
Full Members can read the full details of all of the places entered by our members. Basic Members cannot see contact information or detailed place comments. Basic Members can only read pre-formatted messages, Full Members can read fully detailed messages and upload images to associate with their place listings.

How Do I Register For Full Membership?
All you have to do is register as a FREE Basic Member if you have not already done so. You then follow the links on your Members Main Page to the Membership Upgrade Page.