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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Janealogy on Saturday 06 August 05 11:51 BST (UK)
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I thought I would post this topic, due to when I first started genealogy I was the baby at the Mormon Library. Most people seem to think that genealogy is for adults who have retired and have nothing better to do. I totally disagree, genealogy is for any one at any age who wants to know their roots.
Saying that maybe the TV series that I watched at a young age "Roots" possibly started my nosiness into things that kindles my interest!! maybe listening to adults talking as a child - whilst I was serving my apprenticeship for an adult, loving family gossip??
I was in my early 30's when I started, everyone said it would never last!! well after almost 15 yrs I'm still at it, and someday's feels no way futher, but I will still probe.
So how old were you all of you when you started this addicted hobby??? and how many of you tackled snigger's etc when you first started.
I'm glad that I stuck with it.
Happy hunting
Jane
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Hi Jane
I was in my middle twenties and a bit of an "outcast" locally ;D
Have never watched much tele but was enthralled with "Roots" - it's probably one of my all time favourite TV shows ;D
Casalguidi
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So many I people in work I
talk to bore ridged about genealogy say "I'm looking forward to doing that when I'm older" or retired whatever.
I think this is a hangover from the days when it took a huge amount of time visiting records offices etc.
I think the average age of the genealogist is reducing. The more records become available online the more working people have access.
I was 12/13 when I first drew our tree.
I asked my Nan all the names of her aunties (8 of them, there was actually more but she didn't know that). It was sparked by the death of my Great Nan. I'm so glad I had that early foray as I now have no grand-parents to ask.
I didn't launch into the records until 1901 census went online years later.
Pam
;D
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I am one of those crazies that started young too - I was 12 and have been doing it for 13 years so far so I am still a baby ::)
I found a box of my great grandmothers goodies when I was 11 and I bugged mum about it so much she helped me draw up a paper 'tree' and took me to the local family history society.... it got a lot easier when I could drive trust me ;)
Jenny
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I believe there is no prejudice in genealogy. We have been introduced to academics who have the knowledge and others who have done and may even know more about a certain topics.
Here in Auss they introduce children to genealogy at a young age. To question family members to put together a tree. I was never given that as a study. If so I may have started earlier. Question living grandparents etc. I don't think I would have asked the question that I now need the answer's. Fortunately my family did talk alot about the past and loved ones who were are longer.
It is a very interesting hobby that joins all kinds of people from all over. We all search for answer's, what ever our past, or even out future!
Jane
Ps my son comes home from school and asks everyday "had a good day? find any dead people" In time I hope it will rub of on him
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I started dabbling in it at 18 but university got in the way for a few years. I took it up again properly last summer at the age of 24 when my boyfriend told me to get a hobby and I remembered all the information I had collected when I was younger. He now regrets that statement every day as I drone on about what work I have done on it now! ;D
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I was well on in life when I started searching, but my Grandson aged 7 has just put all our known rellies into the chart from Your Family Tree, he's really interested, always asking his Granny about his relies, took him to the National Mining Museum yesterday, he was chuffed to bits, he's at Pontefract Castle today with his parents,watching the jousting and it's Beamish next tuesday with Granny and Grandad, he can't get enough, I wish I'd asked as many questions when I was young.
peter
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My mum has recently given me a copy of a family tree I drew up when I was about 8 (with the help of my Grandad!).
I was always fascinated with family stories but only started to research the tree seriously about 5 years ago when I was 31.
Peter - my Grandad took me to Beamish too - it's a brilliant place and I think one of the few places I've been to that truly did bring history to life for me.
Tabitha
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I was around 45 when I started seriously looking up my tree.................but the
fascination for hearing family stories and asking questions about my ancestors
has always been with me.........its now more addiction than fascination!!
I think that the fact they introduce children in Oz to genealogy at a young age is
brilliant............I am trying to encourage my grandchildren to become
involved too.....with very mixed results!
Sue
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Let's put it this way.......I was drawing my pension....nuff said ?
Bryan
::)
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First time I was
about, no I was 12. Just checked, I wrote the date on the family tree :) (See told you I was methodical :D). My auntie had done some digging in some parish records in the early 1960s and gave me a copy about 10-15 years later (not going to be too specific as then you can guess my age :-[).
Anyway had to leave it for a while and then half heartedly started again when the 1901 census came on line - properly.
Really got back into it when we bought our computer last year ;D
Am now in need of treatment for my addiction...well that's what my husband says, and when I tell him not to be so daft he says that all addicts go through denial :( But when I told him that I have never been to Egypt he just looked at me strange and walked away ;D ;D
Regards
Julie :)
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all addicts go through denial :( But when I told him that I have never been to Egypt he just looked at me strange and walked away ;D ;D
Nice one Julie, like it ;D ;D
Tabitha, which parts are "NOT to be missed"? or is it all good?
peter
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I was in my early 20's when I first started tracing the family tree - and that was 20 years ago. Some lines have progressed, some are well and truly still at the brickwall phase.
Other interests have interrupted progress - I am in an operatic society (joined 20 years ago) - and shows and committee duties have a tendency to get in the way!
My gran would talk of family members and incidents, and my mother used to write this information down - in some ways a help to research.
You are always learning with genealogy.
Jan
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Peter,
If your grandson is as enthusiastic as you say, I'd try to see as much as you can in whatever time you have. It was all fascinating, I don't remember one part that I wasn't intrigued with!
But then having an enthusiastic and entertaining Grandad can make a trip to an empty field an exciting day out ;D
Have a lovely time :)
Tabitha
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Hi
I was eleven when I made a paper family tree for my homework. With the help of my Grandmothers I got back to my GGGrandparents, and 1 GGGGrandmother! Luckily for me when I started looking at my family tree last year, I found the homework and already had enough information to get back to the 1901 census for all but 1 set of GGGrandparents (who I am now stuck on...!)
Anglefish
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Wow, I never thought there would be this kind of response. I was always called the baby at the Lds library, and every one complained that none of the family were interested in their hobby. Life, time and society I think every one would like to know, just can't be bothered with putting the effort into it. They leave that to people like us, who share and get pleasure in giving one's history.
I personally feel that Australia is so young and our history is also so young, and plus so many migrants from the UK. Schools try to gain history by the children and there ancestry. Most families here have no family, the new migrants. Show and tell etc leave the odd few children out. Days out with grandparents etc this does not happen for many families, mine included. Genealogy includes all, its a way to bond, we all have our own history, even if it's just the story on how we arrived on a plane! Not like the old days arrive on a ship.
Its very interesting to know the ages of everyone. I'm very surprised. I think it was thought that the sterotype was when one was retired (more time) I guess when the kids get off to school full time, and maybe due to the internet that we can search far more than what we could several years back. Order a film from the LDS and hope it arrives when we have a few hours spare that week, as it would be returned with in 14 days, plus booking a viewer!!
So maybe our interests were kindled at a young age, and the internet allows us to search in a few spare hours a day at home??
Thank you all for your responses, given me new insight.
Jane
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I never started until I was 48!!! Sadly some of my ancestors that could have helped me had died already.
It all started when the London solicitors contacted me as the next in line to deal with my aunts belongings. I ended up with the first line decendents from my father's side and well, the fascination was too great, and here I am, a few years older, still trying to work it out!!!! Now its my breakfast, dinner and tea!!!!!!!!!
Kind regards
Hoppity ;D
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I've been meaning to start for years - I really got going when caught in a sandwich - elderly mother who wanted to give up and teenage son who wanted to know where the Grocotts came from. Have managed to keep mother happy but haven't got far with the Grocotts yet. Still there is plenty of time - I hope.
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I made the mistake of waiting until my parents and most of my older relatives were dead, but then I didn't have a computer and certainly didn't have the time before!
Jill
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Hi
I was 49 but it was my daughter who started me off. She did it for about a month then got bored but I was hooked by then. She was 19.
Jane
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I started with a school assignment and it took off from there. I was at one time a volunteer at an LDS family history centre and it used to drive me nuts when the clients would listen to the "wiser and more knowledgable" older volunteers and dismiss my advise out of hand as I was not even in my 20's yet (and I looked even younger) ;D.
I have been at it now for at least 10 years maybe even 15 and look foward to another 60 years or so who knows by then I should have connected to all living individuals and all the way back again!!!!!
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I was about 40 when I first started to think about it and 42 when I started doing something about it.
Janice
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i started last september when i was 26
so nearly a year now purley for the need to know my grandad fell ill with the dreaded cancer and wanted to find out as much as i could about his and in turn my roots before the worst happens hes still hanging on but for how much longer we dont know but hes irish so not gone too far back but its been a very interesting journey so far and i know ill carry it on and hopefully my children will finish what i start not that you can ever really finish this as its an on going circle
kim xx
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Throughout my life I had always expressed an interest in geneology but never did anything about researching it until I was well into my 60's. My family (I have six children) are interested but got no time (too busy being corporate slaves) so I am trying to put it all together.
My wife's father on the other hand wrote a book about their immigration adventures to Canada and pioneers settling on a farm The book was only distributed amongst the family and close friends at the time of his death. We treasure it, and are inspired by it.
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How suprising...I too was always one of the youngest being in my mid 20's when I started out. It is nice to know that it appeals to all ages young and old.
The start for me was a bad back, a computer and a box of papers...it was all no good for my back but boy was I hooked !! ;D
(Back much better now)
Sarah
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I started my family history in April 2001, when I was 33. I remember the date because we had just bought our first computer, and I wanted to start a hobby of my own while hubby was out playing snooker etc.
I have always been interested in my "dead rellies" because I have loads of photographs, I know most of them but there were a few that were a mystery.
With the new computer up and running, and of course the internet I started my search and have been ever since.........I really enjoy every minute of it :D
Jan