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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Sue15 on Monday 14 July 08 12:35 BST (UK)

Title: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Sue15 on Monday 14 July 08 12:35 BST (UK)
Hello Chatterers
In todays Mail newspaper (well in the online edition for sure) is the story of a chap who has documented 10,000 people in his tree. At times he spent 5 hours a day gathering and researching.

I think I have a way to go looking at it

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1034796/British-pensioner-creates-worlds-biggest-family-tree--tracing-10-000-ancestors.html

Hope the link works.

Sue
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Arranroots on Monday 14 July 08 13:03 BST (UK)
Only 5 hours - what a slacker!

 ;D
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Davidjc on Monday 14 July 08 19:34 BST (UK)
loads of people on genesR could beat that !!!
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Duck on Monday 14 July 08 20:19 BST (UK)
It certainly is not a world record, I have seen larger trees than that  ??? ???

There are folk on RootsChat with larger  :)
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Lydart on Monday 14 July 08 23:37 BST (UK)
Who ?    All well and properly documented, or just a list of names ??



At least he doesn't need to join RootsChat !   (Of course, he MAY already be one of us !)
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: spof on Monday 14 July 08 23:55 BST (UK)
I refer the dishonourable tabloid to an earlier post of mine on the "Large Family Trees" thread

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,314803.0.html

Does anyone fancy  printing the 28546 entries on this one?

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=tedmarr&surname=ARMSTRONG%2C+James+Bedad+%28Bedad%29


It's a helpful guide but cannot be taken seriously when it says "Confirmed by the IGI" but is based on submitted records.  ::)
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Sue15 on Tuesday 15 July 08 06:08 BST (UK)
No doubt there are people with more names on the trees but nevertheless it seems from the article that the gentleman concerned has done substantial in depth research so much so he can put on a public exhibition of his researches.

Its taken him 20 years and 20,000 pounds sterling. Of course for many of us that sort of money isn't feasible but I still think its a wonderful achievement and the result of a lot of dedication much of it undertaken before the advent of the internet.

I think we should acknowledge people's efforts and achievements moreand see the positive results of our hobby - obssession . I am sure there are many people within the Rootschat forum who have struggled over many brick walls to find sometimes just a few humble details of interest to themselves or a fascinating story with universal appeal.
Maybe in the future there could be a place on the forum where people could record some of their achievements and how they overcame their brick walls. This would be a morale booster for us all, somewhere we could refer to and where a well deserved pat on the back could be given.

Its only an idea

All the best
Sue
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Lydart on Tuesday 15 July 08 07:26 BST (UK)
I've got an elderly friend of nearly 80 who has done her family tree the old fashioned way ... she started over 40 years ago.  I have no idea how many names she has on it, but her records are a joy to behold, everything cross-referenced, and linked to many albums of old photos.  She also has a hand written tree on about 20 or 30 laminated sheets which she can lay out on the floor as a sort of huge 'tree' jigsaw ... the sad thing is her family aren't much interested, so I've suggested she ought to leave the whole lot to a record office or family history society. 

I wish I was so efficient ...
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Sue15 on Tuesday 15 July 08 07:59 BST (UK)
Hi Lydart
I think its possible to leave copies of Family Trees with the Society of Genealogists where it will be archived for future generations.

Sue
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Tuesday 15 July 08 08:10 BST (UK)
Quote
Maybe in the future there could be a place on the forum where people could record some of their achievements and how they overcame their brick walls. This would be a morale booster for us all, somewhere we could refer to and where a well deserved pat on the back could be given.

There is one already ....  it's called RootsChat  :)

Bob
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Lydart on Tuesday 15 July 08 08:12 BST (UK)
Morning, Bob ...
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 15 July 08 08:24 BST (UK)
This is interesting - does anyone know if it's possible to have a look at this tree?
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Sue15 on Tuesday 15 July 08 08:29 BST (UK)
Hi Ruskie
I put a link to the Daily Mail- online  at the begining of the topic. Maybe through them you could get in touch with the chap concerned. The feature gives his name but I thought perhaps not to mention on the forum in case that breached some rules of living people.

Perhaps he could be invited to join the forum or maybe he is here already.

All the best
Sue
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Nick29 on Tuesday 15 July 08 11:37 BST (UK)
Only 5 hours - what a slacker!

 ;D


He spent the rest of his day increasing his family tree !  ;D
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Old Bristolian on Tuesday 15 July 08 12:33 BST (UK)
I think the link is:
www.royblackmore.co.uk

Lots of history, but very little hard data or references

Steve
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 15 July 08 13:27 BST (UK)
Thanks Sue.

Thanks Steve - I'm going to have a peek at that now   ;).
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 15 July 08 13:42 BST (UK)
I've just had a look at the link. Some very interesting stories there.

I would have liked to have seen a chart of some sort - which I find makes it all a bit easier to visualise. I really wanted to see those 10,000 names written down  ;D .... I will have a dig around and see if I can discover more.

Yes, it would be nice to have Roy join us.
Title: The 1,500-year old family tree
Post by: Gatacre on Tuesday 15 July 08 15:39 BST (UK)
This heading was part of an article in
The Daily Telegraph Newspaper, yesterday.

A pensioner has traced 10,000 relatives and ancestors including Alfred the Great and William the Conqueror.  EXPErTS have said that is study is "UNIQUE" because most of his resarch was done before the internet.  He had to follow a paper trail..

Nick Barrett has said that the man's Family Tree could well be a record

The person in question has stated that one has to persevere to overcome the brick walls.

My question is that as so many of us have persevered should we invite the man who has achieved SO MUCH in 28 years to help those of us who are still struggling.

Gatacre

There is this web site

www.royblackmore.co.uk



Moderator Comment: topics merged
Title: Re: The 1,500-year old family tree
Post by: stanmapstone on Tuesday 15 July 08 15:52 BST (UK)
No illegitimate births  ??? no brickwalls  ???

Stan
Title: Re: The 1,500-year old family tree
Post by: Gatacre on Tuesday 15 July 08 16:16 BST (UK)
You are right, Stan.

Wish I had a jump back to the 12C and rich land owners.   ::)

My brick walls cannot be climbed or knocked down with a bulldozer
Title: Re: The 1,500-year old family tree
Post by: stanmapstone on Tuesday 15 July 08 16:30 BST (UK)
According to the National Archives
Although Domesday contains many thousands of names it is probable that only two families can, with any certainty, trace their lineage back in the male line to an Anglo-Saxon forebear mentioned in Domesday. Anglo-Norman ancestors who held large estates and are often given surnames in Domesday are easier to trace. But even here the problem remains that between 1086 and 1154, the date of the first continuous series of public records, there is a gap in the archives.

Stan
Title: Re: The 1,500-year old family tree
Post by: Gatacre on Tuesday 15 July 08 16:42 BST (UK)
Stan

I have read this, too  and when I started doing FH in 1976 my son bought a good book  written by a well-known researcher of the day who pointed all the pitfalls in the rural counties or anywhere for that matter of finding a surname which maybe was mentioned just  twice in the early centuries and assuming that one belonged to you.  One has definitely to prove and not assume as records were not available to have that name for oneself.

However, I do not think I will ever get into that position in England with the Industrial Revolution playing havoc nor in  N. Ireland  where the records that are available do not help nor with the seemingly endless records in America where I found my paternal g.g.g. grandfathers births in 1767 and 1768 from family bibles not discovered until 2000.  BUT I do not think we will ever stop trying

Norah

Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: davidft on Tuesday 15 July 08 18:56 BST (UK)
Personally i take his claims with a pinch of salt. He seems to be running a campaign to get himself in the Guiness book of records. I saw him on a television programme over a year ago with his "fantastic" tree. It all fell a bit flat when the interviewer queried the veracity of some of his records  :-\
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Lydart on Tuesday 15 July 08 20:20 BST (UK)
But was the interviewer someone who actually KNEW anything about genealogy or such research and its hazards ?

The mans web-site gives some good stories, but to put everything he has found on it in his years of paper searches, would take a team of typists months and months !

I'm staying open-minded ...
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: davidft on Tuesday 15 July 08 20:32 BST (UK)
Well if not an expert in genealogy the interviewer had certainly been primed to ask the right questions.
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Lydart on Tuesday 15 July 08 21:01 BST (UK)
Most interviewers are well primed ... one of our neighbours is a BBC TV news reporter ... he can interview anyone on absolutely any subject ! 
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Gatacre on Wednesday 16 July 08 00:27 BST (UK)
Would Nick Barrat have  given it a positive comment if there was no real evidence in the early centuries to support the man's claims?

We need what the experts really think  about the research ...in print ..to be able to make up our own minds about this puzzle.
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Sue15 on Wednesday 16 July 08 07:42 BST (UK)
Like Lydart I read the news story with an open mind. To be honest I know nothing of Medieval Genealogy as my trees  peter out long before the beginning of parish records. It would be great if someone with more understanding of the mechanics of medieval genealogy could comment.

I have tried to find a contact address on the website mentioned and also using a google search. No luck but i could well have missed something.

 I understand he is putting on an exhibition at Taunton Library, Somerset.  Maybe another forum member could visit and invite him to the forum.

Sue
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 16 July 08 09:28 BST (UK)
To be honest I know nothing of Medieval Genealogy

There is the Foundation for Medieval Genealogy http://fmg.ac/

Stan
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Gatacre on Wednesday 16 July 08 10:03 BST (UK)
I have tried to find a contact address on the website mentioned and also using a google search. No luck but i could well have missed something.  

 Click on the top left hand side of the Roy Blackmore web site  and you will be taken to the service he has used.  Perhaps they may have a contact address.
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Sue15 on Wednesday 16 July 08 10:25 BST (UK)
Thanks to Stan for the link to Medieval Genealogy site- I will read this with interest -

Sadly the link didn't produce any info other than the designer of the site's details and that music!
Thanks anyway Gatacre -it was a good idea.

All the best
Sue
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Silvilocks on Wednesday 16 July 08 11:01 BST (UK)
I have tried to find a contact address on the website mentioned and also using a google search. No luck but i could well have missed something.

 Sue

Hi Sue

On the first page of the website the sentence 'My name is Roy Blackmore' is a link to his email addy. Hope that helps!

Cheers

Silvilocks

Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Sue15 on Wednesday 16 July 08 11:42 BST (UK)
Thanks Silvilocks -that worked!

I am taking a holiday in a few days so I will email when I return. I should imagine at the moment his mailbox must be full as the story seems to have become Global looking at the web.

Sue
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Katie123 on Wednesday 16 July 08 12:02 BST (UK)
Hello Chatterers
In todays Mail newspaper (well in the online edition for sure) is the story of a chap who has documented 10,000 people in his tree. At times he spent 5 hours a day gathering and researching.

This is undoubtedly a stupid question but were the 10000 only grandparents or were they children as well?
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 16 July 08 13:25 BST (UK)
He has listed 9,390 ancestors and relatives

Stan
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: davidft on Wednesday 16 July 08 13:31 BST (UK)
Would Nick Barrat have  given it a positive comment if there was no real evidence in the early centuries to support the man's claims?

We need what the experts really think  about the research ...in print ..to be able to make up our own minds about this puzzle.

NB  isn't a fool he has a business and a reputation to protect. There is nothing in it for him to make derogatory remarks about the said person's research, but there is, I would argue, much goodwill in it for him to put a positive spin on the man's research - and to be honest I think that's is all he did.
Title: Re: British Pensioner creates Worlds biggest Family Tree
Post by: Gatacre on Wednesday 16 July 08 13:37 BST (UK)
[NB  isn't a fool he has a business and a reputation to protect. There is nothing in it for him to make derogatory remarks about the said person's research, but there is, I would argue, much goodwill in it for him to put a positive spin on the man's research - and to be honest I think that's is all he did.
Quote
[/color]

I agree with you about that

Gatacre