RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: joboy on Thursday 28 May 09 03:05 BST (UK)
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I'm beginning to wonder if we are becoming satiated with Family History.
The responses that I am currently getting from GenesReunited and ancestry dont seem to have the same fervour today as they had initially and there seems to be a reluctance to participate by sharing trees or only passing on minimal detail etc?
Is it because the responders are unsure about their trees because what they have has been gleaned from sources who likewise have gleaned from other sources and there is an arising doubt,in the absence of proof,that what they have in their tree(s) is questionable?
joboy
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Many of us are far more reticent, these days, ... having shared information with people whom we later discovered were "name gatherers", who promptly attached our entire trees to theirs, regardless of how distant or unproven any links might have been.
These days, if anyone asks for access to my tree, I ask them where their hoped-for connection is, and I try to make sure their information can be verified before I'll click the box that lets them see my details.
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Don't think the genuine researchers are satiated with family history. I think we might be a bit fed up with those whose methods are less than rigorous and those who Deb D correctly calls "name gathers".
Problem is how to deal with this- and alsot o try to get established the quotation of sources as recognised procedure.
charlotte
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I agree with Deborah and Charlotte about name gatherers.
I have to say I am currently in touch outside of rootschat with a couple of contacts about two different strands of my tree and the enthusiasm hasn't waived a bit there. So for serious researchers there is still fun to be had.
I have to say I'm a bit fed up of the wave of rootschatters who are just here to take, take, take without researching anything for themselves and then don't even bother to thank those of us who spend ages searching for them >:( Yes I know we don't all have access to Ancestry etc but there are so many freebie sites out there now that there really is little excuse sometimes. >:(
Moan over but I do wonder how serious some of them are about family history. If they lost connection to rootschat or the internet would they bother to carry on, would they bother to go to libraries, family history centres, record centres etc or look for other sources.
Sorry I said moan over ::)
Kerry
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People can be reluctant to share information for all sorts of reasons - I have had to make my Ancestry tree private, because I'm currently involved in legal action over an inheritance which was paid out to the wrong people (I'm the one taking the action), and therefore I'm a little paranoid about people who pop up out of the blue asking searching questions. However, I have felt very sad about having to do this because I've had so much help from similar contacts in the past. Hopefully it won't last much longer.
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I don't think it will ever sour to be honest... there will always be a next generation with an interest!
There may be a lot more people searching in the last decade than previously due to the amount of resources that are now easily available - and I guess TV publicity has captured more interest. BUT the people that have genuine passion for it are still there.
Imagine how time consuming research was when your only option was endless trips to the various records offices to trawl through BMD records, now it's as easy as a click of a button. So yes there may be more casual people involved but I feel it balances itself out.
And as for name gatherers, I don't tend to share information unless people specify their connection to my tree. And it doesn't really bother me, if they want to spend all their time in that way that's their call! Each to their own - it's just a shame if they give out information that's incorrect. But a good researcher would always double check anyway. ;)
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Just a word in defence ....
Yes, there are a number of takers, but some of them are rank beginners who don't know how to go about research (they soon learn on here) and some of them are pensioners who can't afford the sometimes extortionate fees charged by certain commercial sites. I'm one of them. I've had an awful lot of help here, and I pay it back by helping here where I can and also by transcribing for several other bodies. As a result, I'll soon have earned enough credits to be able to gain access to a lot of otherwise unobtainable stuff but, until then, it's FreeBMD, FamilySearch and, of course, RootsChat.
Have pity on we paupers, Kerry ;)
Mike
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Sorry Mike I wasn't getting at paupers at all, I am one myself only working part time and there are many very genuine people on rootschat. :-*
Sadly though there are some in this field who rather than pay for the research themselves seem to just not be bothered to look and post a look up request. Now I don't particularly mind that either, I love researching for myself, my partner and Uncle tom Cobley and all but I do like a thank you for it! These are not exclusive to rootschat either. And sometimes if you suggest a freebie site they could search that suggestion is not taken up leading me to believe they just are really not that interested in researching themselves.
I restrict myself to FindMyPast these days, as I can't afford Ancestry as well although I would love to, particularly with their London records promised.
Kerry
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I sometimes wonder if these so called 'name gathers' are just people who may have a less common name and are trying to gather names for future reference. I don't think that they should really add to their trees until they have confirmed lineage.
I agree with ~Rachel~
And as for name gatherers, I don't tend to share information unless people specify their connection to my tree. And it doesn't really bother me, if they want to spend all their time in that way that's their call! Each to their own - it's just a shame if they give out information that's incorrect. But a good researcher would always double check anyway.
As for me I am over the moon after receiving an e-mail from someone who turns out to be a previously unknown cousin. So where one line was starting to flag it's now rekindled as I have someone to swap info with.
Jean
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I don't think it is reluctance as such, but I do think it is the prices Ancestry, GR and FindMyPast are now charging.
I started out when I found my g grandparents on the 1901 census on pay per view. A little later I paid the only, and very nominal, charge (£7.50?) to have my tree on GR. Loads of hits! (And I still only have this basic membership!)
It was probably 2-3 years later, having exhausted the 1881 and 1901 censuses and the IGI, knowing that the other censuses were being transcribed, and spent a small fortune on certificates, that I decided to take the leap of a much larger amount of money and joined up with Ancestry.com (before Ancestry.co.uk, with Britain & Ireland only subscription - and I now can't get all the docs for some reason). I had by this time learnt that I didn't necessarily need to buy each and every certificate for each and every person I came across.
The major census sites are too quick to demand loads of money to join in. Some of the beginners on this site you can see are still in 1911 and 1901. Maybe these sites should start out with a 1901 only fee, and then people can pay the money that fits with where their heads are with their research. GR especially should encourage 'just a tree' membership , and then allow would-be family historians to move up the grades of membership in their own time.
Fiona
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I don't understand the large jump in fees for GR, I am also still on the basic membership but if they ask me in September for a huge sum compared to the £7.50 I paid last year, I won't be continued. Yes I find plenty of contacts but that's it, there is nothing else I get out of the site that I want. That is enough to make anyone sour let alone me ;D
Kerry
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Family History in general has been soured for me (a person who has been doing family history from childhood) by the number of people who moan about "name gathers" (it used to be only local historians and archivists who called genealogists that, not other family historians) and "tree theft".
In the good old days we used to share with other genealogists and family historians at often some cost (in either photocopying expenses or man-hours copying records by hand).
Now many will only share if they think they are going to get something in return.
I hope that eventually common sense will prevail and the practice of sharing for the joy of helping others will return.
Family history research has never easier with so many records available in ones own home (books, microfiche, microfilm, CDs and online). It has never been cheaper either.
Cheers
Guy
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I hope that people stay interested in family history because I have an ancestor who is still a mystery. Although I know he has a lot of descendants, I have only contacted one other person researching his family. The researcher is not actually a descendant but married to one.
In the hope that "What goes around comes around" I look at these boards and see if I have any information which will help others. I hope that one day someone will give me information about him.
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i THINK the credit cruch also has a lot to do with it, as it does seem to have gone into a bit of a lull at the moment, you wait until WDYTYA comes back, or Heir Hunters i'm sure it will pick up again,
i use Roots, GU, Ancestery and FindMyPast, also a few others slightly, so not cheap over the year, and at times it is annoying some of the enquires you get and then nothing, a few days ago i got a message that he was asking about such and such via a hot match, it was one of my grandads brothers wives on my tree, , and he was a brothers cousin to the same person, so i was a lot closer related and had LOADS of info i could have shared, yet not a dicky back, as above i never give access to my tree to people just asking, so his loss, i am sure many many on here have similar experiences, i just hope it doesn't disilusion to many of you, i am also sure that a lot of you will find in your own family that you think you are the only one interested, and wonder why you do it,
my sister-in-law started all this in the late 70s and we all know how hard it was then, the info she found has been priceless and MOST of what she found i have confirmed, lol she is my ex sister-in-law now, but i still talk to her more about it all than most in my family,
but one day i am sure my kids, cousins etc will find the info' invaluable and some of it they would never be able to find, i also have so many photos collected from different chapters of the family again many would be lost but are now scanned and shared around, so keep your chins up, ONE DAY it will all be worth while ;)
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Reading this thread over the past couple of days has made me start to rethink my philosophy. When I started my research some 20 years ago I was really only interested in direct ancestors, although I made notes of siblings and their families as well.
As I hit brick walls I started fleshing out some of these sibling's families in the hope of finding out more about my directs: sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.
After all this time I still have only a few more than 600 individuals in my tree, and since it includes my childrens' maternal ancestors, it is closer to 300-400 in my direct lines.
One thing I seldom do (unless requested by a relative) is trace back "married in" lines: i.e. if my great grandfather's sister married and had children, I will not trace her husband's line back because there is no blood connection. I will, of course, trace their children.
I have all but 2 of my 3rd great grandparents, and about 50% of my 4th great grandparents. I feel good about this, but I am at pretty much of a standstill in my research.
I can't foresee expanding much beyond what I currently have, but don't intend to give up.
Nick
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I agree with Deborah and Charlotte about name gatherers.
I have to say I am currently in touch outside of rootschat with a couple of contacts about two different strands of my tree and the enthusiasm hasn't waived a bit there. So for serious researchers there is still fun to be had.
I have to say I'm a bit fed up of the wave of rootschatters who are just here to take, take, take without researching anything for themselves and then don't even bother to thank those of us who spend ages searching for them >:( Yes I know we don't all have access to Ancestry etc but there are so many freebie sites out there now that there really is little excuse sometimes. >:(
Moan over but I do wonder how serious some of them are about family history. If they lost connection to rootschat or the internet would they bother to carry on, would they bother to go to libraries, family history centres, record centres etc or look for other sources.
Sorry I said moan over ::)
Kerry
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We shouldnt judge people to harshly when it comes to family research.
I am one of many who is able to research without to much help.
But when Im in that brick wall mode I ask for help.
I am a searcher, I think it is installed in me from my years of library experience but I do stumble. And I have been most appreciative of those who have guided me in the right direction.
We must remember their are a lot of people who dont know how to research and its up to those with a bit of experience to guide them in the right direction.
And help if we have too. I have helped when I can but not t 2 am in the morning when Im feeling a bit weary. And I am a busy mum with a full time job.
But I find alot who do this research are aging in years no offence to our seniors and sometimes learning new techniques take a bit of getting used to.
So if some one asks for help do so but for those who ask please say thank you.
okay I have said my peace for the day .
Bless everyone
Floozy
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Hi all,
wanted to quote from one of the posts here ( I think I've just re-posted it!! ::)
I have been researching my fh for about two years now. My families all came from a long distance from where I am now living and therefore can only use the internet at present so cannot "visit the archives and other record resources" - never mind the cost of travelling to and staying overnight!
I have only recently requested look ups at two sites as had hit a brick wall. Everyone that has helped me has been duly thanked effusively. I truly appreciate that these kind people are using their own subscriptions and time to do this for me-without them I would have probably become disheartened and given up.
I did not know, when I started, any more than my parent's names-now I have found through a lot of searching, double checking and certificate purchase a lot of info about my families.
So please remember that not everyone can go on a physical search for many reasons. That doesn't make us any less genuine in our interest! I realise however there are those out there that will always be takers! That's life sadly.
It's up to the rest of us genuinely interested hunters to give the occupation a good kudos!
Regards, Parkywinter. I'll shut up now! :-X
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By and large, I've found family history researchers to be very kind and helpful (including on here), and I try to help others too in any way I can.
I have a few principles that I try to use regularly:
* Only ask for help if I'm stuck or don't have access to something (it's much more fun to do your own research anyway!)
* Always thank those who help
* Where people ask for help, point them to any free sites that they may not be aware of, but never do the research for them on those sites! If they are really interested, they will go there and look for themselves anyway.
* If a person seems to be always asking for help but not acknowledging it when given, I will not help them again.
I don't have my tree on the Net so for me the problem of opening it to "name gatherers" does not arise!
I don't have subscriptions to pay sites because some time ago, I could access A......y at LDS Family History Centres, and also people did some lookups for me. Now, there is just the occasional thing that I need from those sites, not enough to justify a subscription. I'm sure there are others in a similar situation! Also, I am spending lots of money at local archives and Government departments, so that is taking care of the budget for family history at present.
These principles work really well for me and save me from any angst that others seem to feel. Particular sites may have soured for some people, but not the whole area of family history. I think I will be doing it for the rest of my life!
MarieC
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Good principles Marie and worth adopting :)
Kerry
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hello all ,iam anew member out of birmingham doing family history ,having retired inow have time very new to computers and internet. my bimingham side of the family has been difficult to research ,as all documents relating, were lost due to family disagreements ,have found your site it seems to be a good site ihave lots of family history in blackpool as my mothers family come from bispham trying to research the cartnell family
hope you dont consider me a gatherer hope to be on this site for a long time rw mcgowan
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Hello, rw mcgowan ;D ;D ;D
Welcome to rootschat ;D
There are lots of lovely people on this site who will be only too happy to help with any questions you have.
Milly ;D
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thank you milly
rw mcgowan
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I think Family History has evolved and with that some changes in the way people think and act.
In the old days ::) we posted our letters and waited weeks, we went to the libraries and spent hours looking at microfiche and books.
Today, things are easier as so much is accessible over the internet. But a lot of companies have taken advantage of the Family Historian and are asking big monies.
I don't think people are loosing interest, I think they have a more technical view of Family History now.
I still have an obsession and am happy to share my tree. In GR I just put up a real basic line, with year only and no source or anything. If they are true contacts then we can swap via emails.
I like to think I help in Rootschat, as Rootschat has been an amazing help to me.
Margaret
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When I started this topic I was not concerned about name gatherers but more the fact that many family researchers are now questioning the trees which they have produced which have been,in so many cases,added to by the input of others rather than being doubly checked at every event (birth,marriage and death) which is really what should be done neither was I concerned about the cost of my reseach.
I mirror the response (No.14) by Nick in that after 23 years of my research I have 704 in my tree that have been 'doubly checked' and that I am quite certain of.
In contrast to this there probably would be some 400 or more that I am not certain of and they will remain on the backburner until I have completed the double checking procedure.
It is nice to have Guy Etchells (reply No.11) input and a pleasure to know that his sentiments are similar to mine.
For those who dont know Guy then you should 'google' his name.
His comment that 'family history has never been cheaper' is quite true from my standpoint too (I am a pensioner) when one compares the cost of commodities today with the costs of the various 'pay per view' sites available.
I like what Margaret (little meg) says in reply No.23 ... "I think Family History has evolved and with that some changes in the way people think and act.
In the old days we posted our letters and waited weeks, we went to the libraries and spent hours looking at microfiche and books." ..... how well I remember!
So what we get today is an 'armchair ride' compared to 'the old days' to which Margaret refers.
Joe
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Just recently I was contacted by a total novice ( both on computers and family history)on GR who like many "newbies" alllowed me to view their Tree.
With all these first contacts, I ask if they have family history software. Often, that is far as the contact goes,but this time was differant, and since then we have been in contact via e-mail .
The experience of guiding someone through obtaining Free software and then
opening a GED file I sent her has been really great .And of course i guided her to Rootschat !
She is now happily delving into our mutual ancestry. Because the two software programmes are so differant , not all of my information is showing on her programme, she will still have to go to Family rootsweb sites and the OPC sites to find dates and relationships
I started out in the '80s , well before the internet existed .Just because it is now a differant experience , I agree with little meg. So much easier and so much more personal contact .Especially with local historians , People who have researched Parish records etc. in their locale for many years.
To be 100% sure that all ones research is correct is impossible. You only have to see on here , a query regarding information on a BMD certificate to know that ones ancestors lie .Accept or Reject, it is your choice. To me, the original posting Is Family History starting to sour. of course not. half of the fun is in the uncertainty.1
Spring
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Absolutely spot on, Spring!! :D
I agree with everything you say!
Even when I began, it was necessary to go to the local LDS Family History Centre and pore over lots of fiches and films, with writing that was painfully hard to read. Took a lot of time - but oh, the joy when you finally found something! I startled the whole room on a couple of occasions with shrieks of joy!
Much more immediacy now for all of us impatient family historians - but perhaps not the same sense of achievement! But there is still a lot one can do in local archives - very interesting stuff that will never be on the Net. And if one is tracing family land ownership, Government Lands Departments can be very helpful (and quite expensive!)
And yes, you can be sure of very little in family history. It's hard to know when ancestors, for any reason, have not been truthful!!
MarieC
PS Kerry, thanks for nice comment! :D
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Since the birth of the internet we have all become too impatient and I think that is symptomatic of much of modern life these days sadly.
It is a different type of thrill going to local archives and one which I enjoy immensely, not only for the brickwalls that get smashed but also for the simple pleasure of meeting other like minded people who don't unlike most of my family give THAT look when I start talking family history.
For me family history is definitely still fun!
Kerry
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I have noticed a change in the requests from sometime last Autumn - not sure exactly what it is but there is a difference.
I don't mind helping anyone with their queries if I have the resources, especially if it's a puzzle. I don't really like doing the boring, straightforward look ups ;D However, I do get a bit narked by those who aren't pensioners or obviously not short of cash asking again and again for information which is easily available for free or for very little.
The exciting thing for me is the finding out about my ancestors for myself - I'd hate to be handed it on a plate. That is no more than name collecting in a different form.
Gadget
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Hi All,
I have noticed something on the Australian board where I spend most of my RC time. Perhaps it is on other boards too.
There are an ever-increasing number of requests relating to the 20th century.
Often they are from people who were adopted or have in other ways lost touch with living relatives.
The moderators are kept busy editing these posts with cautions about discussion of the living.
I think the enormous expansion of G**gle search engine and its use as a tool to answer all our questions, has alerted a wider public to RC and its members' resources for finding people.
I am not sure that I am really happy about this direction, but then, I am not inthe position of desperately seeking living kin and I can sympathise with those posters who are.
Often I do note, these folk are one-off posters, requesting any information, then not posting again.
Do others have thoughts on this phenomenon?
Sue
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Yes Gadget,
I am of the "ancient " brigade for whom it is impossible to take the hands on Route and when it comes to helping, I tend to Google and find links for them to do their own hunting.
When it comes to my own ancestors then ,yes I am grateful for those local historians who find tit-bits in their Church records, local libraries etc, which they pass on to me. The delight of knowing that a sampler sewn by a direct ancestress had been presented to a new school; building, built to replace the one she had attended as a child.sometime in the early 1800s.
How on earth could I have found out that ,a few years ago? without spending weeks in the area?
My sphere of annoyances? every word in lower case,: appalling spelling.
Please use the Spell checker. and the Very Worst Crime = Not thanking the Chatters who have spent time to help.
Spring
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Ahh! Three cynics in a row... ;D
Please allow another cynic to respond.
I was involved with computers professionally for many years. Since the advent of personal computers in the early 1980s, there has always been a quest for the holy grail, known as the "killer app".
I believe genealogy has quietly taken on this role.
It is probably redundant to use the word "dilettante" with any hobby, but I do think one doesn't have to search far to find many of them in the family history game (most RCers excepted).
I agree with Gadget's I have noticed a change in the requests from sometime last Autumn - not sure exactly what it is but there is a difference.
and I agree with Sue that it is because people are finding RC with search engines.
The exceptionally lame type of question is becoming more and more common, e.g. "My great grandfather Smith was born in London. Would like to contact relatives." No dates, no first name, no anything of use.
OK, I'll end my rant except to say that even more than "appalling spelling" I am turned off by horrid grammar and the inability to compose a readable sentence, much less coherent paragraphs. If one doesn't have the capability to communicate with some degree of effectiveness, what makes them think they will be able to do valid historical research?
Nick (waiting to get reamed for elitism)
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There are an ever-increasing number of requests relating to the 20th century.
Often they are from people who were adopted or have in other ways lost touch with living relatives.
I think the main reason for these type of posts are due to people not really looking through the site before joining and posting.
I always use this method before joinig any type of forum. Then when I do decide to join I will normally wait and use search engines of said site in case there is any posts that my be a connection.
The exceptionally lame type of question is becoming more and more common, e.g. "My great grandfather Smith was born in London. Would like to contact relatives." No dates, no first name, no anything of use.
Looking before joining would show that the above type of post is no good to man nor beast - as the saying goes.
As for grammar and spelling, I think a lot is down to how people are taught in schools these days. However I also think it is also down to laziness in some cases. Not using capital letters because they do not press the shift key when required. This may be because when you text messages it is only after a full stop that the next letter is a capital.
I find a lot of this problem at work when the lads input goods we have received. Some of them consistaly use lower case letters all the time even for the stock codes (Letters and numbers) when it looks far neater using upper case when required.
When I say anything about it all I get it "does it matter?" The general attitude is that so long as you can read it and the info is correct it doesn't matter. ???
Jean
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Nick (waiting to get reamed for elitism)
Not reaming, Nick - I'm just dismayed !
Whilst I have a lot of respect for people who have been doing their research for decades using the "hands-on" approach, people like myself could never do this, for several reasons. The first was that we just didn't know how - until the advent of the internet, and TV programmes like "Who Do You Think You Are", most people just didn't have a clue where to start. And the second reason is time & mobility - I have to do the bulk of my research on line, because I do not have the time to travel around the country to visit Family Research Centres and Libraries. Some people (not me, fortunately) are virtually housebound, so they have to be an armchair genealogist. I live in a remote part of the country, so travel to the big conurbations like London are difficult and expensive for me. So the search for the "Holy Grail" is a search for an on line source which is most effective for us.
I don't know if you've stopped to think about this, but if you removed all the part-timers, dabblers and beginners from this forum, the small membership numbers probably couldn't sustain its existence.
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Feel sorry for us in other countries researching in Uk, we had to send air mail letters to various companies or history groups, taking a couple of weeks to get there then a few more weeks to get back to us - if they did ::)
Margaret
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That's right, Margaret!
And still, we cannot just pop down to the records offices or the National Archives or whatever. A lot of stuff can only be found by visiting those places. That is where total frustration is sometimes alleviated by the kindness of those who live close to those places...! :)
MarieC
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Been a while since I sent a letter with an SAE ;D ;D ;D
How good is the internet ;)
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I've hardly ever lived in the areas that my ancestors came from - many English, Welsh and Scottish counties and Canada. However, I've managed to get to some libraries, records offices and archives by taking holidays in those areas and, when I couldn't, I've contacted archivist/librarians and, the best resource of all, joined relevant Family History Societies. I've had help with my Canadian research from distant relatives and, later on this Forum.
I don't think distance is the problem that it was.
To answer Nick29's point about where to start. I found that there were many books on the topic and also masses of relevant information on the Internet. I recall finding Genuki very early on. That has some really useful information for beginners.
Gadget
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I was working full time when I started 20 years ago so no time or money to travel around the country. None of my ancestors come from Yorkshire where I now live. They were all "down South" or Jersey. I went to night school to learn how to do it then I went to my nearest LDS centre every week for 10 years to search the census, the IGI and Parish records on film. I did very well. In fact I probably have not progressed all that much further.
I have never subscribed to any of the sites except for a free week or occasionally paid for census information. I have a long list of free places to search. It is amazing what there is around. When I started on here I read all the information available and read nearly all the posts for my areas, still do. People should read more before they ask for help.
Because I have done research on my husbands family and my bro-in-laws I have occasionally asked for census lookups.
I do get a bit bored with my searching at this time of year but come September I will start again properly. It usually takes me 2 years to go through one side of the family.
Sylviaann
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I am not going to repeat anything I have already said in my earlier post but Nick29 and Gadget have concurred, I feel.
Who are we to judge anyway?
A quote comes to mind, along the lines of "walking a mile in someone else's shoes.."
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I started, knowing very little, 33 years ago and the best results were obtained from letters to newspapers in areas of interest.
Knowing only that my American grandmother had lived in Allegheny County, PA. USA.. was a problem but a letter to the Pittsburgh Press produced amazing results.
I will admit that letters to libraries and even Salt Lake City were answered with information instead of requests for a fee. Joining family history societies was the best thing that one could do. Owning a computer changed everything but the best thing is getting requests from the new generation of removed cousins in America and Canada who are now finding an interest in FH. We can always pay-back for the times when help was free.
Gatacre
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I feel I must reply to this subject.
The comments of some of the earlier writers seem to me to be truly bizarre.
Take for instance the accusation of being " name gatherers ", isn't this ultimately what we all do.
With all the best will in the world , apart from the odd piece of information, most of the people who lived and died in the 19 century remain just names.
We have no idea what they thought, how they lived their lives, we can speculate about them from sources like the census, bmd certificates, but as I said ultimately they are just names, and any tree is just a collection of names.
As for contacts , I have found several who were and still are extremely helpful
and I thank them for that.
I have also had contacts from G.R who although seemingly do have some connection with my extended tree, do not wish to continue the correspondence after just one contact.
As for them " cutting and pasting " you tree on to theirs so as not to investigate further, then I say that is their loss, to search and reach the goal
oneself is far better.
Be careful about your comments, as I fear it feels like its becoming an " ELITIS CLUB ", populated by family history buffs of long standing who find inquiries
to trivial to bother with....remember you were a novice once .
Ron
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I feel I must reply to this subject.
The comments of some of the earlier writers seem to me to be truly bizarre.
Take for instance the accusation of being " name gatherers ", isn't this ultimately what we all do.
With all the best will in the world , apart from the odd piece of information, most of the people who lived and died in the 19 century remain just names.
We have no idea what they thought, how they lived their lives, we can speculate about them from sources like the census, bmd certificates, but as I said ultimately they are just names, and any tree is just a collection of names.
As for contacts , I have found several who were and still are extremely helpful
and I thank them for that.
I have also had contacts from G.R who although seemingly do have some connection with my extended tree, do not wish to continue the correspondence after just one contact.
As for them " cutting and pasting " you tree on to theirs so as not to investigate further, then I say that is their loss, to search and reach the goal
oneself is far better.
Be careful about your comments, as I fear it feels like its becoming an " ELITIS CLUB ", populated by family history buffs of long standing who find inquiries
to trivial to bother with....remember you were a novice once .
Ron
Hi Ron ...... nice to have your input and opinions.
When I started this topic I had no idea that it would 'drift' into the other areas .... my only intention was to state my present feelings regarding the search for one's family history compared to say 23 years ago when I started and,to be quite honest,it was as a result of sending my meagre tree to a distant relation who answered by merely saying 'Thank you Joe' and nothing else.
I was'nt looking for a thank you but would have liked some detail,or comment,about her branch of the family bearing in mind that what she got from me was the 'full monty' including how great uncle George was an inveterate drunk who was a hackney cab driver in the West End who virtually 'died in the saddle' (cirrhosis) aged 46 outside a theatre whilst waiting on a fare.
There were several other bits of information regarding those who were more temperate in their habits or who had a modicum of fame which would have been most interesting and not '19th century names'.
So the thought occurred to me that perhaps family history really is starting to sour and in order to get other input I raised the topic.
I dont think that I shall aspire to anything other than a 'novice' ......... never a 'buff' ..... and I would hate to think that I was a member of an elitist club.
joboy
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So are you only elite if you find royalty? There's nothing elitist about 10 generations of Ag Labs is there? ;D
I have being 'doing' my family history since summer 2004 now, so I'm a mere novice, how many years do you have to do to become an expert?? ::)
Wouldn't it only go sour if you stopped finding interesting things like the drunk who died in the saddle? If you keep finding interesting titbits however small I find they keep the interest up and lead to more searching.
Kerry
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I started, knowing very little, 33 years ago and the best results were obtained from letters to newspapers in areas of interest.
Knowing only that my American grandmother had lived in Allegheny County, PA. USA.. was a problem but a letter to the Pittsburgh Press produced amazing results.
I will admit that letters to libraries and even Salt Lake City were answered with information instead of requests for a fee. Joining family history societies was the best thing that one could do. Owning a computer changed everything but the best thing is getting requests from the new generation of removed cousins in America and Canada who are now finding an interest in FH. We can always pay-back for the times when help was free.
Gatacre
Just got to agree with you gatacre .... the best bits are what you dig up yourself ....... newspapers are No.1 ... from such sources I have learned much more about my ancestors than any other.
I looked for many years for my 5th ggm and one day it (her marriage) turned up in the Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle which was published in Portsmouth in 1774.
Another ancestor was what Australians call a 'wowser' and he was very vociferous in 1931 according to the Times when he commended the closing of the sport of racing dogs at the Oval (Kennington).
Two brothers who were from a family of butchers emigrated to Manhattan and set up their own business there in 1851 and I have been helped by rootschatters to trace their progress there.
Another fought with Nelson in 1805 and I have his records and a newspaper clipping of him fathering a base born child for which he paid a small annual sum until the child was 18.... he was from the same butchering family.
Yet another (a butcher too) had a 'Visitation of God' according to a newspaper and ..... as I married an Australian girl it became necessary to trace her Australian background which required visits to 'The Old Bailey' site where there were details of trials of no lees than seven individuals (of interelated families) who were transported.
This is my interpretation of what is called 'putting flesh on bones' and for me it is the most exiting part of family history.
Joe
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Certainly provoked a response! So far as I am concerned Family History is fast becoming over commercialised, and a major offender is the ONS and the National Censuses etc, selling them on to commercial companies.We are most probably stuck with the commercial approach, but let's just hope it doesn't wreck things for the genuine researcher!No souring just too many commercial sites now.
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The truth of the matter is that the ONS does not have the resources to handle the hosting of a census site itself. Do you remember the commotion that the 1901 census caused ? I wasn't researching my family tree then, but I remember the chaos quite well.
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We are most probably stuck with the commercial approach, but let's just hope it doesn't wreck things for the genuine researcher!No souring just too many commercial sites now.
What is the real answer to the thousands of queries re FH . It has become a global industryand when I decided to change from finding my Irish and Scots roots to my American in 1980 I found that genealogy was already a billion dollar industry in the States.
When I started FH in 1976 there was just one mormon library in the North of England and that was burnt down. Libraries and cemetery offices and any where else one can think of had the time to answer queries and gave wonderful information but as time has progressed the pressure on theses sources has become immense. I shudder to think what all the grave papers and other info would cost me now.
Perhaps some body would like to give their version of how the massive interest in genealogy should be dealt with now when information is sorely needed by so many. Somebody has to be paid for the time that is given to answering questions but WHO?
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The truth of the matter is that the ONS does not have the resources to handle the hosting of a census site itself. Do you remember the commotion that the 1901 census caused ? I wasn't researching my family tree then, but I remember the chaos quite well.
I remember the 1901 oh so well ;D ;D ;D
Having waited excitedly for what seemed like ages for the big day to come and what a disappointment. I believe I got one quick look before the site crashed :(
I have been reading this thread with interest and lots of valid points have been made. I enjoy reading others opinions as I am rather an opinionated person myself :o ;D 8)
My gripe is about archive depts and research rooms in general, or rather the people who now choose to visit them on mass as though it's a place for a family outing. It is so annoying having people standing behind you (because they can't sit with their partner as there isn't room for two to a reader) They often talk far too loud, put their bags on tables etc.... Enough said ;)
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This is straying a bit from the topic but your gripe made me laugh Maidmarion and reminded me of the last time I was at my local archives.
Opposite me at the table were two gentlemen looking at plans I think and talking very loudly about the abismal service there and the slowness of ordering plans, (the poor achivist was doing her best between answering the phone and our enquiries\). They kept mentioning hobbists and those who watch WDYTYA and then come and clog up the records office looking for family and I was trying to concentrate. Finally I very politely said 'excuse me, but please would you be quiet, this hobbyist is trying to concentrate'
They had the decency to apologise and look shameful. I had a few nods from around the table as well.
Kerry ::)
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I have to say that here in Oz, people are generally very well-behaved in libraries and archives. Yes, there are crowds of people doing family history, but they are usually working quietly at film machines or fiche readers. And librarians are invariably extremely helpful and courteous, providing an excellent (and free!) service, even when under pressure as they often are. They will often do several hours of free research if you live some distance away and can't get in very often. I've had this invaluable help from my Queensland State Library several times, but even though I don't live in New South Wales, the Mitchell Library in Sydney has also sent me documents, free - didn't even pay for the photocopying! Our archives have reinvented themselves as user-friendly places for researchers - they could have more staff on duty to help, but apart from that they are good places to go and search.
So yes, I do think that a lot of the online resources have been over-commercialised, but there are real treasures to be found in libraries and archives, free or low cost. Libraries often have some of the commercial resources, available within the library or online. Our National Library was recently amazed by the large and positive response it got to an online survey of users of its catalogue. To me, this just reflects the excellent service they offer! ;D ;D
MarieC
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I have recently started research into my family. My husband is quite lucky and research on both sides of his family has already been completed. About 18 months ago he suggested I start finding out details about both sides of my family as I knew very little about them. Parents migrated from England to Australia over 50 years ago and I was born here in Australia.
It has been a very interesting journey. Have taken out subscriptions so that I can view census data and have spent heaps ordering birth, death and marriage certificates to verify research. Recently paid 40 pounds to a History Centre to have family details provided pre 1841 and despite giving exact details about what I wanted researched received back a letter simply confirming information I already had and I had supplied in my initial request. Internet is a must and help from this forum has been very greatly appreciated. I check this forum almost daily and read lots of different posts to try and improve my understanding and knowledge in family history and research.
I don't want to be someone who wants others to give me everything. I don't mind paying for someone to do research, but my last experience has certainly been costly with nothing provided that I did not already know. Am very envious reading posts where fellow "Rootchatters" mention visits to local archives. If only Australia was not so far away.
Kaybron
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How are services funded? Answer: By taxation either local or national. The problem with British people is that we want a high level of public services, but when it comes to paying for them we baulk and prefer low taxes instead.
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like many hobbies people spend a lot of time on them and then after a while other things get in the way - life generally -or the information begins to dwindle and then so does their interest
the reasons for researching family history int eh first place and
depending on if they wanted to get back to early 1800's or back further than that also plays a factor in whether people are 'going off' family history
the programmes such as WDYTYA always interest people as genrally people are voyueristic by nature and want to see what is going on or what has been going on in other peoples life and the celebrity can only enhance that
but you will always find the staunch few that for them it never dies
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I've been researching on & off for about 25 years, spent a lot of time early on in archives, libraries, LDS centres & cemeteries. Then I got way to busy at work to do that, I work 6 days & sometimes 12 hours a day. I started on my own family tree & also helping my ex mother in law with hers. When Scotlands People came on I then got started on my 2nd husbands family & my current partners as well (their parents came from Scotland).I was hoping to do trees for my sons before they turned 30, now I'm trying for 35.
Theres always new things to learn & I'm amazed at the amount of information that's becoming available so quickly. I try to find out everything I can about the people I'm researching & found a new interest in history because of that. I think a lot of people try to find connection to the famous & get disappointed when they don't. No famous people in any of the trees I'm doing but their lives are still fascinating. I get disappointed when I can't find anything, but when you find something no matter how small WOW what a high.
If I haven't said thankyou to someone for their help then I apologise sometimes I'm just an airhead & I'll apologise for my grammar now & for rambling on.
Vicki
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i am also new member and newly retired , new to this site and love to just wander about the boards, i get sidetracked by occupations queries ,from other members (that i also dont know answer to ) keep thinking i will find out more just by looking but what are the bbc tags for or is it just me who is pc illiterate and before i forget my manners thanks for all the answers :) i love this hobby :)
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How are services funded? Answer: By taxation either local or national. The problem with British people is that we want a high level of public services, but when it comes to paying for them we baulk and prefer low taxes instead.
Actually, I think that as a nation we do quite well in this area. If you go to Kew, you have free access to records. And (although some others wouldn't agree) I also think that £7 for a BMD certificate (inc. postage) is quite good value too. You can also go to your local library, and chances are that they will have access to Ancestry, which you can also use for free. It's only when you want or need to do it all from the comfort of your own home that things start getting expensive.
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I agree that 7 pounds for BMD certificates is very reasonable indeed. In Queensland, Oz, they cost twice that. Mind you, we get twice as much information on ours, so I suppose it evens out! 8) (And if you find a will in the Archives, you can get a death certificate for the cost of one photocopy!! ;D ;D )
MarieC
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Hi everyone,
Just a quick word from a ' Family History ' novice.
I am retired Pensioner and I only began researching FH about 3 years ago (when I also got my first ever PC) so I really am a novice compared to a lot of chatters.
I just wanted to say that I think it's a really worthwhile, interesting hobby,which certainly hasn't started to sour for me yet.
However, I have also realized that it can be be very frustrating,expensive and sometimes disappointing too but that's part of the 'fun' of it to me.
I struggled along in the early days of my research (grappling with the PC as well) and I spent quite a lot of money on various occasions commissioning research through appropriate channels,which, I have to say, very often only confirmed information that I had offered up anyway.
As I am not able to travel around independently, I have to do most of my research by telephone or via the internet but I realize that I'm very lucky to have those facilities.
I'll take this opportunity to thank a Rootschatter named 'Pete' who guided me to Rootschat, which I only joined last August.
Since I joined, I have picked up all sort's of tips and advice by reading through the different subjects and posts, which has helped me a great deal and probably saved me money by guiding me in the right 'search' direction.
I've received a lot of help from a lot of kind people on Rootschat (they'll know who they are)and I hope that as I become a bit more confident and knowledgeable on ' Family History ', that I might be able to do the same for others.
Cheers
Barbara
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I've been following this post with interest and thought I might give my take on things with a fresh pair of eyes. I am a relative newcomer to this as I've only been researching for less than a year. I feel that one important issue is missing from this topic. Why are people researching their family tree?
I am sure that there are as many different reasons as there are family trees. For those 'hobbyists' or rather for those people who consider genealogy as an interest in itself then their methods and enthusiasm for the subject may wax and wane. For these people the whole enjoyment is in the actual research.
Then there are the 'others' to consider where genealogy is an ends to a means. Perhaps the 'name gatherers' fall into this category. A person may discover they are adopted and wish to research the trees of their biological parents to discover who they really are but have little interest in the subject itself. There may be others who have a genetic link to a disease in their DNA code and so may wish to research their family tree to look for answers.
I'm sure there are others again who only research their trees to find military ancestors as they are more interested in military history as a subject but they wish to personalise it. The list is endless with very personal and impersonal reasons for all these different trees. Either way, these 'others' are seeking to find answers rather than hoping to build up a family tree.
For me, I probably class myself in the latter section. Not a name gatherer really, more a place gatherer. My reason for researching my family tree is that I've never felt I'm "Home." In all my travels I've never felt happy or even contented to the point where I say "The only place where I wish to live is here, my home."
So the blinkers go on, head down and with fervour I aim to discover where my 'roots' come from in the hope of finding my origins and where my "home" really is. Failing that, it would at least be satisfying to find the family trait for an answer to my wanderlust. As a side issue I also happen to be building up a family tree in the process. At this moment in time I "need" to discover the places of my roots but at a later time I may "wish" to flesh out the tree and class genealogy as an interest and hobby.
Whichever side of the divide any members consider themselves, perhaps a foot in either camp, the important fact to remember is that none of us are being forced to search. That is one thing we all have in common. We have chosen of our own free will, as much in the same vain as we choose to attend a football/cricket match or go to the cinema/theatre. The time spent on researching a family tree should be as enjoyable and relaxing as any other interest or hobby you have. Of course be pleasant, be courteous but above all make it enjoyable.
Best wishes,
Bosuns Call
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For me, I probably class myself in the latter section. Not a name gatherer really, more a place gatherer. My reason for researching my family tree is that I've never felt I'm "Home." In all my travels I've never felt happy or even contented to the point where I say "The only place where I wish to live is here, my home."
It's strange - there are a couple of places where I have felt at home, and where I didn't know at the time that I had family connections. One was a very small village in Hertfordshire which I passed through 10 times a week for more than a year on my way to and from work in the late 1970's, and it was only when I researched my family tree 35 years later that I discovered that my g. g. grandmother was born there. Another was the High Street in a SE London borough where I went to school, and later I discovered that my great great aunt and uncle ran a grocery shop which would have been opposite where I used to wait for the bus on the way home from school. I didn't know much about my father's ancestors, and I knew he was born in North London, and I was completely unaware that he had relatives in SE London.
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I agree Bosuns call and it is an interesting angle looking at why people pick up such a hobby. I guess that has bearing on how they then carry out their research.
Thank you for making me think about that aspect.
For myself I have always felt at home in a small part of East Sussex, even as a child I loved that area but it wasn't until I started my family history I discovered that probably about 60% of my family have originated from that area. When we walk around the countryside and villages there I feel very close to them all.
So maybe that explains this curious fact, ever since I was a teenager people have commented that I sometimes sound like I come from South London, I don't but my great grandfather did!! He brought our part of the family to Sussex about 1912.
Kerry
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Very strange Nick, I was brought up in Boston Lincs. lived over 40 years in Doncaster; always liked Bournemouth and Dorset. Guess where I found my father's family originated North Dorset- my ancestor GGGF left there in 1794 with the militia and settled in Lincolnshire.
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This aspect of place is very interesting - thanks for raising it, Bosun's Call!
I feel most at home where I grew up, a little country district in Queensland. I still live not far away, and every time I go there, I feel that it is my country! I feel about it much as I imagine our indigenous people feel. It is my country, my place. I belong to it.
However - when I first went to Fort William, I had the instant feeling of coming home also! I knew that was where my family and my clan came from - it is still the heart of Cameron country. Sadly, it was before I began family history research. Still, I went for a walk up on the moors above the township one day, and stumbled across - or was I guided to?? - a little cemetery all by itself, in the countryside overlooking Glen Nevis. There were many John Camerons buried there. When I got home and told Dad about it, he said that one of them was almost certainly our ancestor. He was always very keen on Cameron family history, and when he was able to take a big trip, some time later, my dear Dad was able to visit this little cemetery and confirm that our ancestor is buried there. He may not have known about it if I hadn't found - ermm, been guided to - it! 8) ::)
Strangely, I've never had that feeling about my English and Irish roots, or my French ones, although I love French language and culture. I wonder why we resonate with one ancestral place and not with others ???
MarieC
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This has been a very interesting thread. As a very new RC patron, I am very grateful for all the help I have had breaking down brick walls.
I loved Devon and Cornwall when I visited there, and continue to read many books about the area - and that is where lots of my rellies came from as it turns out.
Funny thing is, our family history search all started from an obituary in a Galloway and Dumfries newspaper in Sept 1901 re C A Johnstone - someone said it was of a relative of ours. We didn't know of any Johnstones at the time and still have no idea how C A Johnstone fits into the family - maybe a Great Great uncle - we've found out many other bits of the jigsaw, but this bit is still missing! ::)
Meantime I've had so much fun reading many different posts and learning about different sites to travel along myself - and been sent in the right direction several times - as well as getting valuable help from foreign parts. I love finding out the interesting 'flesh' of the story - but am not going back too far because, for me, it is just name gathering before about 1800. At least I have now found when most of the family arrived in Australia and how. I can now claim true blue Aussie status - right from the first fleet in some cases - on both sides of the fence! It all makes history so much more real.
Thanks for the help and the interesting site,
Wiggy
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Actually I do have one complaint - it is too addictive - think of all the others things I should be doing! ;D
I know I can't blame anyone for my weak will!
Wiggy
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I love finding out the interesting 'flesh' of the story - but am not going back too far because, for me, it is just name gathering before about 1800. At least I have now found when most of the family arrived in Australia and how.
Wiggy
Interesting comment Wiggy. But the secret is probably just not to go too far too fast. As you to get to "know" your other relatives by "putting the flesh on the bones" then their parents, sisters, cousins and aunts etc, become interesting too. That's why it's so addictive and never stops, even if we need a break occassionally.
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Well this topic has taken a surprising and interesting twist thanks to bosun's call.
I can say that I have never found a place in UK where I really felt 'at home' ........ perhaps I wasn't there long enough to find out being born 1927 and coming to OZ in 1947 thanks to HM Royal Marines.
However,I would like to relate a tale about a first cousin's (he was born 1918) grandson and his need to find his home.
He was born in a former colony which has had a lot of changes in the last 20 years or so and because of the tension that existed there his family decided that they would move to UK and they thought it would be without difficulty because their grandfather (who was my 1st cousin) was also a Royal Marine (different division to my own) and they could get a passage on the basis of their grandfather's birth certificate ........... alas it could not be found.
Turns out their grandfather's mother who was my aunt (mum's sister) had their grandfather (my 1st cousin) to a soldier who was killed in the latter days of WW1 and the name she had used on the son's birth certificate for herself was that of the soldier who was killed and no father was entered.
She had not married the soldier.
To get to the 'nub' of this ........... my aunt did marry some 4 years or so after her first child was born and she married a man who was decidedly Scottish (and would you believe a Royal Marine) and her 1st born son's name was changed to that of his stepfather.
So the family from the troubled country 'assumed' that their paternal background was Scottish ..... NOT THE CASE as the soldier who was killed was from a long standing family in Devon which I discovered.
However,the grandson's need to find his home took him to Scotland ......... which he sincerely believed was his paternal homeland and he did indeed feel that was where he belonged.
I do believe that it is a question of 'mind over matter'.
Because my name is Norman French ....... I cant say that I have any feeling that my home is France as it is a long time since 1066.
Joe
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Interesting comment about mind over matter Joboy and that reminds me of the Jeremy Irons (I think) WDYTYA programme. He was sure his family came from Ireland where he had made his home and felt he belonged. The programme found this to be completely incorrect. I think they actually came from Scotland?
Kerry
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information deleted due to Margaret having a senior moment ;D
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information deleted due to Margaret having a senior moment Grin
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ok so I have had a long day :-[ :-[ :-[
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Can I delete my comment before the others wake up ;D
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GO AHEAD QUICKLY
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Now you just have to adjust reply 70 - please :-*
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I'm glad to have made such an impact so soon! ;D My family and ancestors seem to have their roots firmly embedded in Herefordshire. I too was born and grew up in Herefordshire. In my early days I may have felt a slight connection with the place but that has long since gone. I never truly did feel I was home. Strange I know, considering how many ancestral ties I have with the place but there never has been that feeling of contentment. Perhaps I was picking up bad vibes from my ancestors about the county?
For a long time I've wanted to find the place that I could consider to be my home. I've tried the practical and logical route. I've read books and planned visits and trips to different locations I believed I would feel a connection with. So far this route has drawn a blank and I could search forever this way.
Now I have decided to search my family tree and try and find some roots that leave Herefordshire and hopefully end up in a few locations I've never visited. Ancestral belonging is just as valid a reason for visiting a place as reading about it in a book, more so even. I'm not looking for some Utopia, just for a location that makes me feel contented. An added tingle or deja vu to confirm my belief would also be most welcome.
I also wish to research the family tree to prove the connection to a place before I do visit. I remember watching John Hurt on WDYTYA? and how he moved home to his supposed Irish roots so that his children could be born in Ireland. He looked utterly devastated when it turned out that his one ancestor was the biggest liar going and he had built his life on a fallacy. I hope to at least get some proof before I go looking for home.
Even at this early stage of researching I can probably say I have a foot in both camps in that I'm enjoying the actual genealogy/searching process. At my own annoyance I often step back and spot something of interest. Having an inquisitive mind it can tend to wander off the beaten track. Before I know it I'm asking myself questions like "Why on earth did they marry?", or "What does that job title really mean?"
I never set out to catch the genealogy bug but as so many of you have commented it does seem to be an addictive activity.
Best wishes,
Bosuns Call
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Not long ago, I gave a "researcher" access to my tree (via GenesReunited) and he copied the whole lot on to his tree even though he was only connected by a few VERY distant marriages. I can't say that I was really bothered but was left a bit puzzled. ::)
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Doing that doesn't inspire you to share your findings Jayson.
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The same happened to me Jayson - and he had absolutely no connection to my family at all!!
Very odd! Said he could only do the research if he had the tree on his 'page' - or whatever it is called.
Wiggy
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I think in our own personal research it is easy for things to go sour when we reach brick walls.
I swap onto different lines, even my husbands family.
But even then, sometimes there are too many brickwalls and all of them seem to have a pile of lemons sitting on them.
I guess it is up to us to turn those lemons into lemonade ;D
And the only way to get lemonade is persistence, dedication and a little bit of sugar ;)
Margaret
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Interesting comment about mind over matter Joboy and that reminds me of the Jeremy Irons (I think) WDYTYA programme. He was sure his family came from Ireland where he had made his home and felt he belonged. The programme found this to be completely incorrect. I think they actually came from Scotland?
Kerry
Glad you brought that up Kerry .... I did'nt know about Jeremy Irons' stong belief that his forbears were Irish.
I guess it only goes to show that our minds can be influenced so much.
If we all dug into our UK backgrounds (for instance) we would possibly find a 'grand mix' of Scandinavian (Vikings) Spanish (Armada) Italian (Roman invasion) French (Norman conquest) et al.
I have 'Dupytrens Contracture' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dupuytren%27s_contracture which is commonly attribured to a Viking background or Alcoholism (which I do 'nudge' a wee bit) but I cant say that I have ever had the desire to do a little raping or pillaging as would the Vikings.
Joe
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but I cant say that I have ever had the desire to do a little raping or pillaging as would the Vikings.
Oh, go on Joe, live a little ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I have been following this thread with great interest as I have been researching for nearly 30 years and have yet to lose the desire to continue despite all the brickwalls and disappointments. The thrill of the chase I guess.....
Unfortunately I have not yet had the opportunity to visit the UK which is where all my family originated, but I do live in hope. At the ripe middle age of 43, with children only 10 years from leaving home..... if they ever do of course.... I can plot and plan my perfect ancestral holiday for some time to come. All I have to do then is have some cash left over to pay for it all....
Ho Hum...... best get off to work then... ;D
Karenlee
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[Jeremy Irons did have Irish ancestors. ;)]
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[Jeremy Irons did have Irish ancestors. ;)]
Wev'e all got Irish ancestors .....
(1) Brigett Handley from Limerick was my ggg/m ... yet I have no hankering to go to Limerick.
(2) Catherine Comboy married my gg/g in Manchester Cathedral the only record says 'from Ireland' ... no desire to go there either.
I like Australia ......... not born here but gonna die here 'cos I love the place ... this is where my heart is.
Joe
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but I cant say that I have ever had the desire to do a little raping or pillaging as would the Vikings.
Oh, go on Joe, live a little ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Thank you for the invitation karenlee but it's a little to late for me to start now!!
Joe
I have been following this thread with great interest as I have been researching for nearly 30 years and have yet to lose the desire to continue despite all the brickwalls and disappointments. The thrill of the chase I guess.....
Unfortunately I have not yet had the opportunity to visit the UK which is where all my family originated, but I do live in hope. At the ripe middle age of 43, with children only 10 years from leaving home..... if they ever do of course.... I can plot and plan my perfect ancestral holiday for some time to come. All I have to do then is have some cash left over to pay for it all....
Ho Hum...... best get off to work then... ;D
Karenlee
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but I cant say that I have ever had the desire to do a little raping or pillaging as would the Vikings.
Oh, go on Joe, live a little ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Thank you for the invitation karenlee but it's a little to late for me to start now!!
Joe
I have been following this thread with great interest as I have been researching for nearly 30 years and have yet to lose the desire to continue despite all the brickwalls and disappointments. The thrill of the chase I guess.....
Unfortunately I have not yet had the opportunity to visit the UK which is where all my family originated, but I do live in hope. At the ripe middle age of 43, with children only 10 years from leaving home..... if they ever do of course.... I can plot and plan my perfect ancestral holiday for some time to come. All I have to do then is have some cash left over to pay for it all....
Ho Hum...... best get off to work then... ;D
Karenlee
Thank you for the invitation karenlee but it's a little to late for me to start now!!
Joe
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Wev'e all got Irish ancestors .....
Not me, to be sure, to be sure, to be sure ! ;D
Sorry, couldn't resist, no offence intended ! :)
I haven't found any direct Irish Ancestors yet, but with a surname of Martin, it's always a distinct possibility ! :)
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I've got some Irish, but I haven't found a single snippet of extra information about them since I first discovered their names. :(
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I've got Irish too, although I didn't think it was an Irish sounding surname. The name is Tansey, & they came from Sligo. I haven't really bothered much with this side because I believe Irish research isn't that easy for obvious reasons. I've got back to 1853 so I know I mustn't expect much more. :)
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I have Walsh or Welsh in my father's Lincolnshire tree dating from around 1700. Irish people have visited |Lincolnshire for agricultural seasonal work since at least the 1950s. How long has this been going on please?
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I don't think family history could ever turn sour for me and on Rootschat there are so many wonderful people prepared to give up their time, experience and even credits to help others even the very occasional negative experience could never outweigh all the positive ones.
A number of my attempts to make contact with other researchers on Ancestry seem to have disappeared into a black hole even though the connection is quite close. However I have made lots of great contacts over the years and just recently a relative of OH responded to a message I had posted and we have shared certificates, newspaper cuttings and best of all photographs relating to the family. One contact like that more than makes up for any disappointments ;D.
Pinetree
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Yes Pinetree, I have had many similar experiences, as I believe I have said before I have made more progress in the 5 months I've been on Rootschat than during the previous 12 years.
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Are you able to define the 'object' of your research?
Is it?
(a) Direct Male line Family Research
(b) Paternal and Maternal direct line ancestors
(c) Extended Family Research
(d) Customised Family Research
(e) 'All in' Family Research
(f) One name study
There may be other forms of research that I cant think of which can be added.
When I started I took the 'scattergun' approach which I think a lot of beginners do and after two or three years it become obvious that I needed some discipline and I became quite brutal with all my files and notes and took on Alexander Pope's quotation that “Order is Heaven's first law.” .... and I think it has worked.
Accepting your particular 'object' of research ... how have you set out to 'maintain the objective' and not get 'sidelined' with costs involved or 'name gatherers' or the 'lack of courtesy' from some people?
As a researcher what is your attitude toward helping others who have kindly had some input to this topic but are having some difficulty with their research? ... such as;
Reply no12 from 'nameless'
Reply no 20 from 'rw mcgowan'
Reply no 51 from 'Kaybron'
Reply no 55 from 'janeyann'
Reply no 58 from 'Barbara348'
Just a few thoughts from
joboy
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Reply No 58 says it all for me!
As a newly retired pensioner, I am amazed at how quickly the costs add up when doing research - and therefore have been most grateful for the pointers from people on this forum to set me on my way - and for the first class information given when I've hit a wall.
Thanks all.
Re the other question about my object in this research - well finding out the Great . . . . level of family for a start then mainly maternal and paternal direct line beyond that will be a good start..
Wiggy
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Hi
Many people come into family history in various ways. Mine started after my nephew showed me what he and his son had done for a school project of their family history and how it had gotten him interested enough to try to find out more.
Now we both do it and regularly exchange snippets of information we get.
Yes, we are lucky to have the internet to help us out but while I realise a lot of people didn't have that start, it shouldn't make those of us who do use the internet any less captivated by their families than those who had to 'slug' it out with all the parish registers etc. they had to endure.
We all still have to confirm our parentage with birth certificates and the like.
Kind regards
Bev
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My apologies - I also forgot to add that of all the other sites I joined in my search, this is now the only site I use as it has everything needed to help out ... kind people!
:) :) :)
Bev
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I've been reading this thread with interest over the last few days and it is strange the things that intrigue the most when finding your tree.
I am researching all the direct ancestors of my 4 grandparents - I'm just nosy to want to know everything I can. I try and fill in the bare bones of dates with info from wills, trade directories and all those other sources that fill in the details about people.
Bu it is my maternal grandfather's father's line that intrigues me the most (my great-grandfather). I started researching when the 1901 census came online. I don't know whether my great grandfather's line intrigues me most as he was the person I first looked for on the census (my mum saying let's find my grandfather when we first logged on) or whether it was the fact that when his son (my grandfather) died he left a collection of memorial cards form funerals that took place 1900-1930. Some names we knew, others we knew must be related by their surname so I wanted to know who they were. I also discovered that even though we knew his place of birth we couldn't find him using that to search but typing in Essex as the place of birth found the entry. So I started enjoying the hunt ofsearching then.
The thing is my great-grandfather's line come from the tiny village he was born in back to when the PR's begin there in the 1680s. They are all as far as I have found ag labs. No scandals or anything curious. The odd illegitimate baby but nothing remarkable but this is the line that still intrigues me the most. I have other more interesting lines, especially in my father's side of the family who move around a lot but I still feel a pull to my great grandfather's side. I visited the little village he came from last year and it felt like 'home'. I am now trying to do a mini one name study on his surname linking all the people with that surname in that parish.
Sometimes I google for that name and parish and I have come across more trees that link to this line done by other people than any other branch of my family. Some are collections of names that make no sense but some are well researched tress that I have made contact with the owners. So is there something in shared DNA that make some branches of a family more interested in family history than others? Some names in my family only show my own posts on here when I google their names and but this line appears in so many links even though it links back to a small hamlet.
I have done all my research myself with the net, reading books , ordering certs, an FindMyPast sub, going to archives until I joined a message board last year. Now I am on the brickwalls bit of my tree.
I am quite happy to help others but sometimes I wish people would look a little more on all the links that are stickies at the top of boards and read what they can find before asking questions.
However, sometimes 2 heads are better than 1 as they say and sometimes someone will suggest somewhere new to look and I will go off and search there and find new information.
So no I dont think fh will ever sour for me.
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When I started researching my family history, I had my tree on Genes, and incautiously opened it to someone who may possibly be related to me - we haven't proved it yet.
I am absolutely fine with sharing all my research with anyone who is connected to me - indeed I go out looking to find them! - but when I call this person a "name gatherer" I mean that he put on his tree absolutely all my details, all living family members, including my partner's family which is not connected in any way to him. And what interest can it be to him, in any case?
So I left my very inaccurate tree on Genes, don't release it to anyone, and started my research on Ancestry. Recently I saved my Ancestry tree and uploaded it on Genes and have now an explosion of new hot matches, some of which are really interesting - and people are evidently very surprised to have me pop up in their own matches with a lot of relevant names.
But I do think it depends how serious you are. I try to have all my research backed up with census and birth refs, but I am constantly finding inaccurate stuff I put on in my enthusiasm some years back (I had the embarrassing discovery that a name on my tree - a Genes hot match - seems totally unrelated to anyone, I can't find how it links in at all ::) although it must have done at some point) and am now thinking I need a very organised edit of the tree.
But there is always so much to do on the tree, whether it's entering all the details from the census like precise address and occupation, and tripping over names on the same page which relate to the family, or looking up the history of the time, or speculating exactly how two of the ancestors met and married......
Let alone the ambition which is I am sure shared by many others that I will, one day, put it all down in a book. For the family, of course. ;D
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When I first started family history research ( about two years ago) it would have been fair to call me one of those 'name gatherers'. When I came across information I had this belief that I needed to record everything because I did not know when it might be useful or if I would loose the source. However, as I began to understand the process and become familiar with the methods and sources this became less important. The importance and necessity of accuracy and correct attribution started to grow. However I did not and would not copy anyone else's research wholesale or without asking their permittion first and granting my permission to copy what I had if it was useful to them. I have also become more reserved about opening my tree and prefer to establish a clear connecting first.
If I have one gripe it is the two or three word requests for information with no attempt to be either polite or helpful by even telling me the dates for the person(s) they are interested in.
These days I follow key names/lines in my family and try not to get distracted by very distant connections unless it proves to be particularly interesting or someone needs some help.
On balance, I think that more people doing family history and putting information out there is a good thing because you never know what a connection, however distant, might bring up. So maybe we have to put up with the name gatherers and apparently ungrateful people but surely this is an opportunity to educate them, as the people who helped me also educated me.
I try to do what I can for people on rootschat if I think I can add something to a thread and now I am an RAOGK volunteer. This wouldn't have happened if a lot of people hadn't been kind enough to be patient with me and give me a great deal of help.
FS
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FS
a good point well made ;D
I guess when most of us start out we are all name gatherers, certainly when I started I didn't really know what was actually available to search, apart from births, marriage and deaths but there is so much more than can be found to help to flesh out the bones of the characters in the family history.
For me it is true to say that the more I flesh out these characters the more real they become and they figure amongst my favourites.
If I was to list all the evidence for different characters I have found it is quite amazing how much different information there is available:
attestation papers, discharge papers, auction records, settlement records, bastardy orders, newspaper clippings, wills, letters, photos, passenger lists, quarter session records, pardons etc etc etc
Kerry
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Hi, an excellent thread which I think answers the the question that started this topic. If i dont complete my Tree, I hope that either of my sons or grandchildren will carry on, at least I,ve given them a start, you are lucky joboy living in OZ, I have to make do with an anual visit. To all rootschaters who have helped me a BIG thank you, and to all on the best site on the net, good hunting. Clive
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Thanks kerry,
I should also add that I have reached (like most people I suppose) the point where quick gains are no longer possible. My research has to be more thorough and time consumming as I look further back in time on my family members or struggle with some of the conundrums that are scattered through my tree. To find answer to these I have to go back to much more traditional research methods, RO's etc.
To be honest my early name gathering has helped me in this. Some of the best sources of information I have had recently are from some distant connections where I have managed to make contact, through other unconnected people, to people who have a lot of personal primary source information in their keeping and are not reachable via the usual internet forums like GRU, Ancestry or Rootschat. I would not have made these connections if I had not thrown my net very wide. One nice example is a very kind gentleman who had pages from a family bible dating back to the 1700's that included not only the dates of birth of some of my key family members but the times of birth and information on lines that feed into my family that I has no idea about. He shared information with me that took one of my lines back to around 1465.
It is quite surprising what information on some of my very close family members has been found in places and with people that I would least expect it to be.
However I am wondering off of the subject of this thread. I think what I am trying to say is that name gathering can have its uses as it enables contacts to happen that might not otherwise be possible. Is family history starting to Sour? No, not for me. It has enabled me to find some lost relatives, relatives I never knew existed and to make contact with a very nice community of like-minded people and to help a few others on the way. That has made me very happy and I will accept the inexperience and impoliteness of the few because the rewards far outweight the inconveniences.
That's me done... I'll get off my soap box now ;)
FS
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Honestly I find it a little difficult to believe that things are "turning sour", as it were. Certainly I think there's a different approach to family history these days, but that's an inevitability now given the relatively easy access to the basic records online these days and the perhaps unfortunate growth amongst more casual research. Research is no longer the domain of the serious researcher, it's becoming more and more of a hobby and has become more and more accessible to the average person. While certainly this has become a mixed blessing, it's also brought about the neccessity for a different approach to sharing information. Basically when you're dealing with things online, the sad reality is that you can't be quite as trusting and open as you'd necessarily like...at least not at first. I do feel though that this is more an issue of the modern age and the Internet than it is an issue of family history specifically.
Speaking for myself, I still feel the same joy and enthusiasm today that I did when I started my research six-years ago. The excitment whenever a new record is made available online is still there, and in many ways is stronger than it ever was now that I have a full-rounded knowledge and skill-base to work from. I say it all the time when people ask about starting their family history at work...when you start researching your tree, it's a project that is with you for as long as you live. There's always something new you can be doing, and always something new you can get that glow and excitement of the chase over. Quite literally family history becomes your lifes work, and while there might be at times brick walls or issues that make you want to bang your head against the proverbial wall I do greatly feel that nothing could ever sour researching my tree and nothing could ever make me want to stop researching.
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I agree with Simon about the different approach to family history with relatively easy access to basic records online these days and the fact that research is not simply the domain of the serious researcher. I think this is probably true of history in general these days, we can all look things up on the web if we want to know when a battle was fought or where for instance and I for one think that is no bad thing.
However with all things on the web, all things should be checked and double checked for mistakes but isn't it great that we can all delve so easily into our pasts.
Kerry
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Morning all,
What we shouldn't forget here is that all Rootschatters come to this forum with different constraints and interests. Obviously we are all addicts, but for me it is not only about researching my own family but also helping others - pulling a loose thread to see where it goes is my idea of fun. To that end, when someone puts up a post (no matter whether they have done in the easy leg work or not) gives me the chance to have a go, or, to read about other posters doing the same.
I 'watch' RC from my desk at work and don't have much time at home because I have a disabled child. Never-the-less I thoroughly enjoy the forum, but probably view it in a different way to most.
Kind regards
David
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What we shouldn't forget here is that all Rootschatters come to this forum with different constraints and interests.
David
That is very true, and it is why we each look at our family histories in different ways.
I like the storybook approach, filling in all the details, where they lived, who were their neighbours etc.
And have been very fortunate to have a mass of information on one of my lines from newspaper articles. Still haven't finished acquiring them all, and yes, it is back to the world of microfilm I go ;D
I also turn my families histories into paintings, some based on old photos, others from imagination, with photos of villages and cottages as a guide.
It not only combines my two interests - art and family history, but also stops it all going sour ;)
Margaret
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Ah, Margaret,
You are one of the true storytellers of whom we have often spoken on Rootschat! :D
Your illustrated stories would be a delight to see!
MarieC
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Hi MarieC,
thankyou, they are no great works of art but it is a different way of getting the younger ones to know about their history.
And fun for meeee too ;D
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Sour ---- no but it can get a tad boring sometimes
I have been researching my tree for years, so a lot of direct lines have gone back as far as I can get them. So my option then was to expand in various offshoot lines from the direct lines which has made some very interesting finds and families still around today.
Most recent was using my GR tree researching a sister of my wifes gt grandmother, I found someone else, who turns out to be my wifes cousin (removed) looking at the same lady and between us we took that line back to the late 1700's "it was a brickwall job this line". He had some certs and I had others. Sharing information is important but I make sure they have a genuine connection, in GR and someone asks me to open my tree for I will not do it, reason they asked me a question, open yours and let me check the connection is valid, if it is I open up or tell them to close down access
I also have a passion for helping others in grave hunts, next monday I am meeting a fellow rootschatter for the first time at the gates to a huge cemetery to go look for a grave for another rootschatter ;D
I JUST LUV IT
Ancestry subs my kids pay for it as my xmas present, GR subs most of the time get covered by flogging something on ebay so cost is virtually nil apart from the odd cert to confirm an issue thats it.
Share data, certs, photos etc - just be careful when asked to open your tree to a stranger - AND MOST IMPORTANTLY GET YOUR SIBLINGS TO PAY YOUR SUBS AS A BIRTHDAY OR XMAS PRESENT.
the boring bit is waiting on someone to ask for a grave hunt :(
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Not sour or boring, just frustrating, I've been trying to prove that my 2 great grandfather is who I think he is for over 13 years. Frustrating thing really is that I found him on my first day of researching, still haven't proved a link any further back.
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From my own experience, one needs a great tolerance for frustration, Redroger - something I don't necessarily have! ::) :P
But yes, I'd agree that is the main emotion!
MarieC
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Mancs man if you would like a grave hunt I have many Manchester ones you can find if you like?
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It's 4 years on since I raised this topic ...... has anyone lost their fervour?
I haven't ..... found a live one today.
Joe
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Nope, still haven't lost it. It's still driving me crazy ...
Pretty much convinced that what I've lost is my mind ...!
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Nope, still haven't lost it. It's still driving me crazy ...
Pretty much convinced that what I've lost is my mind ...!
It drives me crazy also. When it gets interesting is trying to do your own history :o I am trying to find out some of my work history, but the company threw out all the paper records in 1990, so it is difficult to find out about ME. Imagine if my son or gson some years from now tried to find that sort of info.
Fortunately most of the inportant records are still in existance
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Have definitely lost my fervour since I lost my inspiration for my research - my mother - 4 years ago.
And 3 house moves haven't helped either - everything is still packed in umpteen boxes and haven't been touched for last 3-4 years. Still add info to Brother's Keeper as and when it comes my way, including my two new grandsons :) but that's about it these days.
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Oh ... just spotted this thread and want to read and digest -- but havent time just now ..... so marking the spot
xin
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Haven't posted on here for awhile but this was a blast from the past, joboy!
No, I haven't lost my fervour at all, but life has been busy, particularly with increasing elder care responsibilities, and I have reached a number of brick walls. Time to consolidate, sort out all my stuff and start writing it up, but haven't had the time. Hopefully at the end of the year I will have time to do some of this. Haven't been on here much for a long time, as I found the moderation unduly restrictive - don't know whether this has changed. Guess I'll find out!
Keep researching, everyone!
MarieC
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What I do find fustrating, as someone who is willing to share, is that people don't then pay attention if what I provide does not meet there preconceived ideas.
The case of my great great great great grandfather springs to mind, and the lack of his birth certificate.
Someone, at some time or other, decided he was the son of x and x. Fair enough, x and x did produce a child of that name. However, I show the death certificate of that person having died aged 1, and share it. But, as it doesn't meet preconceived ideas (a link to a prominent family), that death is ignored. x and x is still shown as the parents on numerous trees and a dead 1 year old marries and has 8 children ::) , even the father x ia unrelated to the prominant family!
I think, why bother, why share.
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Like genes, it mutates. I am pursuing very different things to when I started out.
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I would like to say how grateful I am to all of RC and do feel that although I always thank people for their help, it doesn't always seem adequate. But everyone is truly appreciated. I did most of my research pre computer, like many of you. Which has been lucky for me as my disabilities prevent me from using a computer now. Neither am I mobile and so barely leave the house, I am putting everything into books as I have my first Grandchild and want everything
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to pass on. With the help of Rootschatters making this possible my gratitude is eternal. Please do not think your help is unappreciated , you really don't know just how much you help some of us. Sorry this had to be 2 posts. sue
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My family history has taken a back seat over the last two years due to study commitments. Mind you with the Surrey records appearing on Ancestry I have found time over the summer for some research, a bit of tidying up and adding to some of those pesky Surrey ancestors. ;D
One more year to go of studying!
Kerry
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Yes, this thread certainly is a blast from the past ;D
I had to leaf through all its pages to find what I put way back then, and it was lovely being reminded of the posters, some of whom I don't seem to have seen for a little :(
I have ceased spending every evening on my tree, although there is still a lot of work to do on it, but just recently have been contacted by two relations (different branches) via Ancestry, and shared some of the hard work and been gratified by their compliments about the tree.
I don't think it will ever go sour for me - though I don't have as much time as I used to for the actual research, it will always be a key interest for me......and my family history is in the background all the time for me, I seem to have imprinted it within me as an important part of my character, that I've looked it up, and feel connected with my forebears as it were.
I certainly don't look at history as unconnected to me, as I once did.
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Nice to have you back again Igor your input has always been thoughtful and generous.
Joe
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Nice to have you back again Igor your input has always been thoughtful and generous.
Joe
Oh, thank you Joe. Much appreciated! :D
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For myself, there was that initial (and unconsidered I have to admit) 'rush' to find out what I could about my ancestors and one that has now eased off quite a bit. The many that have helped me on this forum in particular as well as others I have always thanked. Have I been a 'name gatherer' as described here? I suppose I may have been only to realize how wrong and misleading some of it can be but hey, a few stumbles corrected make for better researchers yes?
Onwards in reverse - but with caution, is now my motto!
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After ten years or so I still love it, still trying to find marriages and deaths , made mistakes on the GR site, still like to help the people who really want to trace their family tree.
Still love going to the LMA & Kew, and the local archives, making use of the on line resources.
I hate seeing my information on Ancestry , including the early ones where my errors are on the trees of those who just collect names , and do not research.
It's still fun
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I don't think it will ever go sour for me - though I don't have as much time as I used to for the actual research, it will always be a key interest for me......and my family history is in the background all the time for me, I seem to have imprinted it within me as an important part of my character, that I've looked it up, and feel connected with my forebears as it were.
I certainly don't look at history as unconnected to me, as I once did.
Beautifully put, IgorStrav! These are my sentiments too, but I couldn't have put it as well as you did.
MarieC
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Hi
I've been on the hunt for the last 12 years , ironically since the great uncle who would have been able to tell me the most passed away!! When I began I just went back as quickly as I could but with time I have gone back and filled in.
I've been stuck on the Irish connection for almost as many years as I hit Ireland much quicker than I was expecting.
I subscribe to FindMyPast and A.......y and as such I am more than happy to do searches for others, for friends or on here (when I can)! I still get so excited when I do manage to find information and when I've been helped on here.
Long may this site continue and thank you to everyone who spends their time trying to help others.
Suziq
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Hello MarieC - 16Feb2014
"William Justin Beauchamp Cameron"
I found your chats from 11th March 2007 (yes 2007) about "Beau" and would like to say I have some background on him for you. (maybe you have already found more on him since 2007 and my info is no longer helpful?) He was in Jakarta (Batavia) at one time and my GGgf Dillon Cox, saved his life there.
I just registered to this site today 16Feb14, and Beau, is one of the characters in my family history as I'm a descendant of Dillon Cox and also Pryce Cox that you chatted about. I have been researching my GGgf for 10years now.
More later; as I just want to establish contact with you at this point. - James47 in Melbourne
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James - Welcome to RootsChat! ;D
It would be better to reply on one of MarieC's topics - then she will get a notification of your interest!
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=219965.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=238453.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=137757.
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I don't think family history is starting to sour but we all give it a rest from time to time and go back with added vigour. I have had lots of help from members on Rootschat which has been most helpful and I really appreciate it.
I am a member of Ancestry and what annoys me is when you link up with someone who has your immediate family on their tree and then you find out they have just added all the details on with absolutely no relevance to them. They have shared their brother's wife's family on their tree. I thought they were related to my cousins and no connection whatsoever.
All the details on her tree are correct because I did the research!
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I don't think family history is starting to sour but we all give it a rest from time to time and go back with added vigour. I have had lots of help from members on Rootschat which has been most helpful and I really appreciate it.
I am a member of Ancestry and what annoys me is when you link up with someone who has your immediate family on their tree and then you find out they have just added all the details on with absolutely no relevance to them. They have shared their brother's wife's family on their tree. I thought they were related to my cousins and no connection whatsoever.
All the details on her tree are correct because I did the research!
What you say is appreciated but 'twas ever thus' ..... you cannot change what others have done ... you just have to live with it.
Just keep your head down and maintain your objective .....and ignore what others may do.
Joe
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Hello MarieC - 16Feb2014
"William Justin Beauchamp Cameron"
I found your chats from 11th March 2007 (yes 2007) about "Beau" and would like to say I have some background on him for you. (maybe you have already found more on him since 2007 and my info is no longer helpful?) He was in Jakarta (Batavia) at one time and my GGgf Dillon Cox, saved his life there.
I just registered to this site today 16Feb14, and Beau, is one of the characters in my family history as I'm a descendant of Dillon Cox and also Pryce Cox that you chatted about. I have been researching my GGgf for 10years now.
More later; as I just want to establish contact with you at this point. - James47 in Melbourne
Hi James!
Good to hear from you. I have found out a little more about WJB since 2007 - always known by his family as Beauchamp, by the way, not Beau - and know that he went to Batavia with his uncle Dillon Cox. But I have very little information about how, when and what happened there, and certainly had never known that Dillon Cox saved his life there. I'd be glad to hear more.
I would suggest that you PM me, but I don't think you can PM until you have made three posts on the boards of Rootschat.
Cheers, MarieC
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James
Welcome to Rootschat.
Just reply twice more on this thread - very short replies will do! - and then you can personal message MarieC by clicking on the round circle with a piece of writing on, underneath her name.
And have a look round Rootschat whilst you're here, it's a great board!
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…With all the best will in the world , apart from the odd piece of information, most of the people who lived and died in the 19 century remain just names.
We have no idea what they thought, how they lived their lives, we can speculate about them from sources like the census, bmd certificates, but as I said ultimately they are just names, and any tree is just a collection of names.
Ron
Perhaps when we get to the 15th century but in the 18th and 19th centuries there is a vast amount of information that is available in archives, though not online.
For instance in some cases newspapers could tell you what your ancestor wore, what he/she looked like how tall they were and many other details.
If they were in a poor house you could even discover what they ate for breakfast.
The records are out there we just have to do the research.
Certainly provoked a response! So far as I am concerned Family History is fast becoming over commercialised, and a major offender is the ONS and the National Censuses etc, selling them on to commercial companies.We are most probably stuck with the commercial approach, but let's just hope it doesn't wreck things for the genuine researcher!No souring just too many commercial sites now.
If it was not for commercial sites (& the LDS members who pay tithes) there would be no choice but to visit the archives as we did in the old days.
The majority of online records are either hosted on commercial sites or have been digitised for the archive by commercial companies as part of a hosting deal. This includes Scottish records.
PS my commercial site has in the last few days added a records of Irish people, with more to follow. ;)
Cheers
Guy
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Hello MarieC - 17Feb2014
"William Justin Beauchamp Cameron"
2nd posting to enable contact with MarieC
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Hello MarieC - 17Feb2014
"William Justin Beauchamp Cameron"
3rd posting to enable contact with MarieC
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James
Welcome to Rootschat.
- and then you can personal message MarieC by clicking on the round circle with a piece of writing on, underneath her name.
Whatever you do, James, don't click on the square circle ::) :-[
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James
Welcome to Rootschat.
- and then you can personal message MarieC by clicking on the round circle with a piece of writing on, underneath her name.
Whatever you do, James, don't click on the square circle ::) :-[
My mum used to tell me off for saying "a round ring", but my dad always came to my defence by saying "What about a boxing ring?" ;D
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James
Welcome to Rootschat.
- and then you can personal message MarieC by clicking on the round circle with a piece of writing on, underneath her name.
Whatever you do, James, don't click on the square circle ::) :-[
My mum used to tell me off for saying "a round ring", but my dad always came to my defence by saying "What about a boxing ring?" ;D
;D ;D ;D
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I think Family History has entered a plateau and will remain there with likely fluctuations up and down.
WW1 centenary will ensure it keeps going at least until publication of the 1921 census, which will be my last census unless there is a dramatic change in the law; as i shall be 112 when the 1951 census is published. The 30 year gap presents a major problem for future family historians.