RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: wheeldon on Friday 09 September 05 17:08 BST (UK)
-
I was wondering how far people are researching very distant relatives? For example your G G G Uncle are you researching his family and therefore your fifth cousin five times removed (or whatever it is)? If so would you publish this information on a web site? Have you had any come back from relatives that don't want their direct ancestors on the net? I know that this hobby is addictive and your tree is always a work in progress but how far sideways would you go?
Looking forward to your views
-
I find researching siblings of direct ancestors quite useful. I have found a few of my ancestors living with aunts and uncles. I'm still hunting for my elusive great gran and am currently tracking down all her aunts and uncles in a vague hope of finding her.
However, I have to admit to occasionally getting so carried away I end up with second marriages and step families in my tree. All very well for my own interest of course, but I then uploaded the whole thing to Genes Reunited. Unfortunately far more people seem to be searching for my 'in-laws' than for my ancestors. I am now having to remove as many as possible, after attempting to explain to enquirers exactly how I'm related to these people. :-[
Debbie ;)
-
I've found two fifth cousins, one through Rootschat, one when I Googled a surname and found the cousin's website. Both were pleased to hear from me, and I've since been able to look at some parish records for one of them (she is in New Zealand) to help with her own research, and to provide a vital clue for the other one to continue hers. I wouldn't put anything on Genes Reunited for all the reasons which are frequently discussed on the Rootschat boards, including this thread. But if by accident, I happen across a distant relation by whatever means, I would hope that the experience would continue to be mutually positive! :D
Cheers, Veron
-
I'll go as far as I can in research - as long as there is a common ancestor. I've made contact with fifth/sixth cousins, becaue there is always scope to learn something new about your common ancestor.
I wouldn't knowingly publish information that identifies living people on my family history site (apart from myself that is). I am also disinclined to provide extensive deatils of deceased people born after 1901 if they are more than 3rd or 4th cousins. But I'd log them on Genes Reunited.
JULIAN
-
I go as far as I can if it is free.
I don't mean on the IGI I want the primary sources. So when I say free I mean at a records office or something.
I've shoved all my names on my website and I think the most distant sideways is the family of the 1st husband of a 7 x g aunt - something like that :-[
I know no bounds.
I've seen direct rellies living with distant relatives or in-laws 20/30 years later on census so knowing the extended family really helps.
I got access to all the church records for Stoke sub Hamdon and I wanted to prove that on any given census there was 6 degrees of seperation between every native and they were all related to me. Hence these http://fallon.rootschat.net/names16.html#palmer 113 Palmers!
Pam
;D
-
If I'm honest, it really depends how interesting I find them!! I've got really carried away and researched step-families etc just to find links to other people, in the hope I can help them. If I hit upon an unusual name then I'll usually research it anyway, even if the link is really tenuous!!
I've got in touch with quite a few fourth and fifth cousins and it can be really interesting to see how the traits continue through a family. I met a chap at Uni who shares the same GG grandfather as me but different GG grandmother and we are still great friends - it was amazing the similarities that had passed down the generations - mostly bad, mind you!!
Possum
-
I had to switch from researching backwards to going sideways when I came up against a very stubborn brick wall - by the name of John Burrow. I've been able to make a few chinks in the wall, but nothing substantial.
In the meantime I decided to research ALL the descendants of John's children that I could find. I am having lots of fun & success with this. Someone out there has to be interested in this same family. ???
The results of my sideways searching are on my webpage - see my siggy for the link. ;D
BD
-
Anything, anyone, any connection :o :o As long as they are not living. We don't own our relatives, I couldn't (and wouldn't) object if my grandparents were on someone else's tree as distant relatives, and it's all information, and all information is useful.
I've put on and researched my great grandmother's step family - they were really interesting. :)
I've been contacted by descendants of my great grandmother's brother-in-law's brother?? ;D ;D It was very useful :)
-
Have you come across a researcher not willing to share - for example will only give you details of your direct ancestor - ie GGGG Grandfather but not their brothers and sisters. This has happened to me recently - and although I am grateful of the information, I will find the rest out anyway-so why won't she just tell me? I'm not a lazy researcher and had found out about all the previous generations and family. It's frustrating as I know how much time involved searching parish records when she has it there in front of her! AAAAAH
-
Thankfully I have never come across that ??? What on earth were her reasons :( ???
I have been really lucky with some very useful info from various 'relations'. I felt a bit guilty at first, but I was able to provide photos to a couple so it all works out in the end ;D
-
When someone contacts myself about a family
I am researching, I try to put them in the tree,
And the first thing I give them is the Direct line
from earliest ancestor to themselves or the line
I think they are from.
After that I leave them to decide how much other
information they require.
The reason I put them on the tree first is sometimes
giving the person all my information is confusing
How many Roberts, which belongs to which family
etc.
I do have three paper files of one family, so to give
them ALL this information would be a full time job.
I have given information to people and all them
have told me is you have something wrong ???
My favourite correpondences have been a Brother
(In a monastery) and a Great Great Uncles
desendant ( who researched through certificates
mainly) were I have researched through baptisms/
marriage cermonies so Its nice to know someone
got to the same point by different means.
The brother was hoping to connect an ancient
family who settled in Lancashire (mentioned in 1066) so though I do not know if I am connected I
give him all the relevant information from this
well documented family.
Jinks
-
I've made contacts on GR with names who are only distantly connected to me, and while I'll put them on my tree GR, I think I need to draw the line as far as my website is concerned. I'm also drawing the line with the latest offspring of distant relatives. As for putting on living people - they're all on my website, without facts about their lives other than dates and places. They were all consulted, and nobody objects. The important point is to get permission.
-
I research as far and wide as the family details take me - it's just too interesting not to do so ;D ;D ;D
I don't currently have a website BUT I would NEVER put living folks on same and if I pass my information to others, I request that they accept this requirement. I have received information from 4th 5th 6th cousins and they have sometimes requested that I do NOT pass on the information. I abide by these requests.
Trish
-
I don't have any limits and will go wherever there is interest!
A very distant cousin recently found me because she has the same approach - located my website because she knew who married some of her family! We are currently exchanging lots of information. So it is very worthwhile.
MarieC
-
When I researched my families on the Parish Registers I wrote down everyone with that surname and made up trees for those people. When others contacted me I included all their names too. What a wonderful time I had sorting them all out and connecting them up. I also tried to trace them all on the 1851 for Norfolk and the 1881 census when it came out and then the 1901 when we could use those special programs that connected families. The result is for two families in Norfolk I have extensive trees all in Word for windows.
I have just had a new contact for one of the names and have sent her part of the tree. Now she wants to know about the rest of the family so I am putting it on a CD for her. It costs very little and as my own family are not really interested I am happy to spread the news. I don't use a database as it was too much work to start one but someone has put one tree on the net.
Sylviaann
-
There are no boundaries for me. I seem to be turning into an obsessive name-gatherer with about 5,000 names on the database, but I try to concentrate my main efforts on the direct lines where possible.
Jill
-
I'm so sideways - I can't see straight!! ::) ::)
I'm always off on tangents - but it's so much fun!- I really "get into it" -
and before I know it - I've spent a few days - on somebody who's WAY out there!! :P
This is such a joy for me ! - the only time I get frustrated is waiting for certificates!!! ::)
Annie
-
Likewise, I search wherever the strands take me and have found some very interesting distant, distant relatives.
I don't belong to GR but someone who belongs to both GR and Rootschat saw one of my names and passed it on to someone else researching that name on GR. She wasn't a member of Rootschat - but joined so that she could contact me.
We are now exchanging information - it transpired that we both have the same GGGGGrandparents!! and that she was researching my family 'out of interest' - I'm really glad that she was ;D ;D and now I have more people to research too.
I am in the throes of making up my tree to put onto the web - I shall ask her permission to include 'her' part of the family.
Maggie
-
I don't go sideways too much unless I spot someone who looks a bit out of the ordinary (sadly not often in my lot!) then I'll do as much as I can. But I really try to stay disciplined and concentrate on one or two families at a time otherwise I'm all over the place and totally disorganised ;D I do sometimes find myself suddenly researching a marriage witness's family, the last one turned out to be the local gravedigger and totally unrelated. Think I must have needed a break from my lot so it was a bit of fun ;D
I should be much further ahead than I am I sometimes feel, but frankly I'm still getting to grips with my direct line and associated individuals and spend most of my time with verification and doing research on the people I've already claimed and still know relatively little about.
I'm also a bit of a social history buff with a special interest in Victorian working class London so on the side I'm always doing research on where my families lived and the social conditions ...
Jonathan :)
-
I've gone sideways when I've been stuck on main branches.
It's kept me going while I wait to get over the brick walls and its interesting finding out what and where the various families did and went.
One sideways piece of research has been so well done by someone else that I've enjoyed putting all the bits together that belong to me.
The Bulmer from Yorkshire family have been extensively researched and I'm quite proud to say that I belong to one bit of it - I've found lots of links from all over the country - and I'm still going.
All my paperwork is at home and I have nothing published on a website - I'm not that computer minded, but I'm always willing to share what I have with anyone who has a genuine interest.
Regards, Olly
-
I don't know how you can't get "sparked" Jonathan!!! ::)
I guess I must be "butterfly minded " or something - because I can be in the middle of serious research and I see something in the links that command my attention - and I'm off to the races!! or it reminds me of something I have read previously and I have to go back and find it ....!!
I guess us women are so used to doing more than one job at a time - that it comes easy - having 25,000 balls up in the air!! :P :P
Hi Olly !
-
Hi All
I research sideways a lot and collect every twig and branch in order to go back because you hit brick walls very quickly going straight back. I have had lots of contacts on Genes Reunited within 3 days of posting and had 2nd 3rd and 4th cousins. I have an extensive 7 years and 12,600 people on the tree and quite happily share the info with other researchers which are connected. Likewise I receive lots of info from them as well. I do not put living relatives on the web at all post 1901 unless they give me permission to do so. I love having a blitz on one line of the family at various record offices etc and see what fruitful outcomes and further net searching does. It is very addictive and a quest to collect the vital info which will be lost forever if we do not record it. It allows me to see myself in a 3D world and how I relate to everyone in it. You are never lonely doing Family History!
John Rowley
-
Hi
I have found out today how easily things can be overlooked. I started just over a year ago and went to mums and raided all her cupboards, drawers and loft for anything I thought I might use. I have been back today and found many relevant things that didn't seem important then plus a pack of old photos that I had missed.
Funny my house is getting full and all her cupboards and drawers are tidy! I have only got to reraid her loft now.
My mum and dad were both only children so to say I have no aunts, uncles or cousins I cannot believe how many relations I have got.
Jane
-
The Bulmer from Yorkshire family have been extensively researched and I'm quite proud to say that I belong to one bit of it - I've found lots of links from all over the country - and I'm still going.
Hi Olly,
That's interesting! Do you have Dorothy Bulmer, born before 1521, daughter of Sir Ralph Bulmer and Anne Aske? Dorothy married John Sayer of Worsall and they had seven children.
Jill
-
My g/f came from Hull where my dad was born. G/f died young and his wife took the children back to Gateshead where she came from. They lost touch with the Hull side of the family and I feel like I have no roots as a consequence. When as a result of my research I found three brothers moved to Hull from Norfolk in the 1840s, I decided to try and trace their descendants to find some modern day relations.
I am sure many of us are branchng out sideways when we reach our limit in the direct line. It is down to the thrill of the chase and getting hooked on family history. I have found numerous 2nd, 3rd, 4th and even 5th cousins as a result and am in touch with a number of them. Finding another one who is also into family history is what keeps me going. It's a real spark.
-
Wow - what a responce! thanks evreyone it's been realy interesting reading your views and just how far you will go-the skys the limit is seems! I often get sidetracked and go down a different avenue but have to keep myself in check as I'm not very organised and get confused as to where I am upto and how the various names connect to my famly and I only have a hundred names or so, never mind thousands!!!!!!!!!
Thanks again everyone - and good luck with your never ending research!
-
Hi everyone
I would say that it is imperative to do a bit of sideways research in order to verify what you find. If you focus on one line it is easy to get the 'wrong' person. This is because so often the same names are used within families. So , for example, if a John Bloggs has 2 sons - for example William and John (William was probably his dad's name) and they both married in the same area and each had 2 sons, they could easily both call them William and John. Therefore there would be 2 William Bloggs's and 2 John Blogg's with probably similar years of birth, and similar places of birth.
If you dont do any 'sideways' reseach, and so are unaware of your ancestors siblings and their families, it is SO easy to latch on to the wrong one - especially if it is an unusual name. You say to yourself well, there cant possibly be TWO Horatious Ponsonby-Smythes born around 1860 in Suffolk!Even though the birth years are a few out, and they give a neighbouring village as there place of birth. When of course, there are two, who are cousins.
Just a friendly word of warning!
-
Actually, Horatious Ponsonby-Smythe b 1860 was the elder brother of Horatious b 1861. So that is a very easy mistake to make. ;)
-
Well now!
We are not alone!!!Failure's at h/keeping,loner's at the quest,lacking disciplinary method,but as happy as pig's in three foot of muck ;D ;D ;D.
Try 360 degree's,that's MY problem!!
Still Laughing,Goggy.
-
if I didn't do any sideways research, I would've quit a long time ago.
dad-blamed brick walls - easier to go around than go through
:D :D :D :D :D :D
skooner
-
I've just remembered this thread, as a result of a number of recent research breakthroughs I've had.
I've bothered with the sideways research for a number of reasons (a) you find out more about the nature of the family your ancestor was part of, (b) you can corroborate details about the family especially through the census returns, (c) it increases the likelihood of finding others with similar research interests on Genes Reunited, and (d) there's the thrill of the chase itself!
The corroboration angle is very important. I'd had a lot of trouble tracing any information of substance about the brothers and sisters (and uncles and aunts) of my Great Grandfather Henry Carter. He was born in 1832 in Purleigh, Essex, but had his family in Croydon, where he had a small bakery, from 1871 or earlier. I couldn't work out why he had ended up in Croydon.
I'd identified Henry's siblings and aunts and uncles from the County Archives at Chelmsford, but there was a big gap about what happened to them. I found Henry in 1861 in Aveley, Essex, working as a journeyman Baker. After some patient research of the census's and FreeBMD on Ancestry I slowly pieced together what happened to most of Henry's siblings and his aunts and uncles. Not least he was working for his aunt's husband in Aveley in 1861; one of his sisters and her family was living next door to him in 1871, and that cousins/nephews/nieces moved around between different family members (but not always identified as such) at the times of the census. You can see this pattern at:
http://juliancbaker.rootschat.net/html/24_william_carter2.htm and
http://juliancbaker.rootschat.net/html/12_henry_carter.htm
With a quite common name like Carter these corroborations are really essential. It's not just in this family that this approach has helped. For example the Aunt of Henry's wife had two young children (different surname) as "visitors" with her in the 1871 census, and it now transpires these were second cousins whose mother had just died.
So why did Henry Carter end up in Croydon? It seems that most of his siblings and aunts and uncles also moved away from the Purleigh area, probably to find work in what we now know as the London metropolitan area or the newer towns springing up around it. Also, for Henry and his siblings, his mother had died and his father remarried and moved a few miles away to Maldon - thus breaking the link with the "home" community.
JULIAN
-
Great topic because I wonder how far I should go sometimes. I tend to get carried away often, especially on a brickwall branch. My goal is to find a living relative who might have more information for me, and it has worked. I like to look at my tree and have complete branches. I've even becme a little obsessed finding my great-great-grandfather's brother's stepdaughter (Mary Ann Whiteleg). I know, back off. It is very satisifying. So, if anyone out there was related to Michael Hayes, born 1847 in Ireland, raised in Staffordshire England or his brother George, born 1860 in Staffordshire, give me a shout. ;D
Kathleen
-
I would be happy to fill my "direct decendants", as far as the fourth GGGG, place, once ive done that then i will worry about the hanger's on, I suppose, if we are critical we should only consider D N A tracability !!!
Bodger
-
Well I've had an interesting experience recently, when I realised that lines of ancestors originated from a REALLY tiny village in Kent. So I downloaded ALL the census for that village, with the result that I now have the whole picture of the village, every year from 1841 to 1901. And - guess what - I have found that the "other" pages have led me to whole branches of the family, who I never knew existed - as well as identifying one particular lady (only given as "Mrs Wood" in the 1861 census - not helpful) - now I know from the "other" pages what her name was, and how she relates to all the other Woods in the village.
I appreciate that this may be difficult to do if your family comes from London or Manchester!! But it would be worthwhile doing for anywhere which is reasonably small. Gives you a lot of social background as well.
Veron
-
I have gone sideways on all my lines. I just can't ignore them if they relate to my lot ;D. I also find that it can confirm that some of the information that I already have is correct. Sideways gives me somewhere to go when I can't go back!
Kim