Taking over control of an existing website/domain

  • Unknown's avatar
    webmorph · Member ·

    Hi there,
    I’ve been asked by the Probus Club of Henley-on-Thames to take over control of (and start adding to) the existing site https://henleyprobusclub.wordpress.com/
    We have no idea who set it up but they stopped using it in 2017.
    I’ve set up a WordPress account (@webmorph).
    Can I take over the old site, or do I have to start again with a different domain name, like ProbusClubHenley?
    All the best,
    Nigel

    WP.com: Yes
    Correct account: Unknown

    The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

  • staff-zinnia · Staff ·

    Hi Nigel –

    Thanks for getting in touch. I think the best approach is to try and regain access to the site, and/or have the site owner transfer that ownership over to your account.

    Please understand that we can’t tell you the email address or details of the account. Instead, I have sent an email directly to that account explaining the options.

    If you aren’t able to make contact with that owner to gain access to the account, or to be added as an admin, or have them transfer ownership over to your account – if all of those options fail – then I would suggest starting a new site from scratch.

  • Unknown's avatar
    webmorph · Member ·

    Thank you very much for your helpful reply.

    The existing site (https://henleyprobusclub.wordpress.com/) is clearly very old and is not maintained.

    It is counterproductive to our efforts to set up a new, modern site, as it still appears in Google searches. I presume you are also not being paid to sustain it.

    So, if you do not get a response to the email you sent to the owner, could you please disable the site in some way, so that (at least) it stops appearing on Google searches?

    I understand you can’t share the Owner’s contact details with me, but could you at least provide just the Surname. The existing club members could then let you know if they are still alive / interested.

    Many thanks,
    Nigel.

  • aleone89 · Staff ·

    Hello Nigel,

    So, if you do not get a response to the email you sent to the owner, could you please disable the site in some way, so that (at least) it stops appearing on Google searches?

    This is something we’d need to assess on a case by case basis. For now, we’d need to wait for a reply.

    I understand you can’t share the Owner’s contact details with me, but could you at least provide just the Surname. The existing club members could then let you know if they are still alive / interested.

    We are unable to provide any information of the owner due to privacy and security.

    Many thanks for your understanding with the above.

  • Unknown's avatar
    webmorph · Member ·

    Hi again,
    As you can’t share the name of the original (defunct) site owner, we’ve had a think about who it may have been.
    If you find that it is Roger Shaw, please be aware that he sadly passed away, and will not therefore by responding to your note.
    May I ask how long do you plan to wait (for a reply to your email) before deciding to take the existing site (https://henleyprobusclub.wordpress.com/) down please, so I can update the Probus Club committee?
    Many thanks for your help.
    Nigel.

  • aleone89 · Staff ·

    Hello Nigel,

    I’m very sorry to hear of the loss.

    This would change the landscape of the issue and you would need to follow these instructions here: https://wordpress.com/support/deceased-user/ with regards to retrieving that account.

    I hope this helps.

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