How many have relatives who actually care?

[Springbok]

Quinn,

Guess I am lucky in that all my children want copies of my research, but then one lives in NZ, one in US and the other still in UK, so I feel that it is that they feel the need to keep in touch with their Roots.

What a wonderful experience for you though, especially the elderly relation, and her memories. And just think, with none of your own family with you,so no distractions.

You might think of taking a small tape recorder with you as you'll learn so much that you'll never remember it all.

Have a great time

Springbok

[loo]

It seems to me that it's precisely the children who only see "funeral relatives" who will at some later date wake up one day and wonder who on earth those people were who came to the funerals, but by then they will be gone.  I do understand children not being interested;  it's a life-stage thing.
It isn't just in the last 30-odd years, though, that people stopped knowing who their relatives are.  My current job would be an awful lot easier if that were the case in my family.  My mum had 5 first cousins, all born in the 1910s and 1920s;  she had only ever heard of one of them up until this past summer, and had no clue that he was even living, not having seen or heard of him since about 1935; unfortunately the others had all since died.  I am now emailing with some of her second cousins;  she had absolutely no clue that she had some great-uncles, let alone second cousins.  In some families, the lack of connectedness goes back a fair ways.

[izabel]

My daughter (20) showed a bit of interest until i found i had prostitutes, witches in the 1500's and several criminals in my family tree.  My husband is supportive but
also cannot understand the fascination of spending hours researching for people who have been dead 300 years, no bearing on the fact that im doing his family tree as well Maybe my grand kids will be interested and they wont have to go through all of this to find out where they came from.  I live across the world from where my people were born and i doubt that i will ever have the funds to go to Scotland and do any research so if you have the opportunity to meet family go for it.  I was luck that I had an aunt who did send my some old documents and photos as a starting point. Maybe hubby will show an interest if i can connect the Grants in my tree to the whisky!!!  Wishing you all a wonderful christmas and a new year full of new relatives. Izabel

[chloed]

sadly its not close relatives who actually care, but the very very distant cousins you find by chance on sites like rootschat.
I have been sent pictures by these "cousins" and  cried with joy when i received them, never having thought I would know what my great great grandparents would look like.
my 24 year old daughter crushed me the other day when she said to me that having seen all the "shotgun weddings" in our tree and" base born" over the last 300 years, she would be surprised if even half our ancestors were actually related and that I was wasting my time.
sad thing is she could be not that far away from the truth

[Sooziecats]

None of my immediate family seem remotely interested in my research, apart from my Mum - but it is my Dad's family I have been researching!

I get so excited when I find a lost ancestor but no one else seems to especially my husband - he runs marathons but I would much rather sit at the computer looking for Wanklyns 

I had no interest in my Mum's family - no happy childhood memories of my Grandparents etc - but now my Nan has reached the age of 92 and can remember everything I have started to have a little look.  Her sister in law passed away this week and Nan is now the only one left of her generation, and this has made me think quite a bit about asking her more before it is too late.

This site is harmful for your health though - I am supposed to be getting ready for Christmas, but just felt the urge to log on 

Sue B

[Malcolm Bull]

What many family history buffs forget is that their research is only a hobby, an interest, a pastime, an obsession.  In the grand scheme of things, does it actually matter much, is it important to anyone?  I think the answer can only be not much, except to the person doing the research.  Like all hobbies, it's difficult for the hobbyist to see why anyone wouldn't be fascinated by what's falling out of the family tree, but if you stand back and look at the matter objectively, it's only one tree in a forest.

Regards

Malcolm Bull

[Shaztoni]

I'm a youngin' and I am very interested in my family's history. I think that's because my parent moved away from all their relations. So I grew up wit no real cousins (we would have the odd visits once every few years). Saying that none of my siblings are remotely interested and there are six of them.
My parents like to know what I find out, but they tend to get lost in all the names.
My children 6 & 8 are so far interested as I don't shut up about it.
I think that it will be one of my six nephews and nieces in New Zealand that will become the bearer of the family tree, and when they do half their family will be done for the.
Patty, you go and enjoy your trip, you'll only regret it if you don't go.
Sharon

[piedstilt]

I've bored my own family rigid by telling them what I think is interesting stuff about their ancestors. I've also done a lot of research into my husband's family and while his brothers and sisters and cousins are interested in their family history, they only really want to know the authorised version. If I start telling them about new people or contradicting their long-held myths their eyes glaze over too!

I'm inclined to agree with Malcolm. There is a note on a local website (which is full of interesting lists etc) saying: 'Please don't ask me any questions. Genealogy is YOUR hobby, not mine.' !

Have a great time in Ireland, Patty.

Ros

[Quinn]

Touche' Malcom.  Touche'.  You actually put it in perfect perspective with your post.  It is only a hobby for us, and for those who don't share this hobby, I'm sure we seem quite strange to spend our lives looking up dead people.

I guess I just have to realize, I don't share my husband's obsession with football, and he gets quite upset that I don't understand what's going on, nor do I really care.

And I don't share my son's obsession with World of Warcraft, which he plays 24/7.  And I definitely don't share much in common with my daughter - she's a shopaholic, can spend hours in the store trying on clothes, looking at pretties, etc.  Me? In the store, get what I need, out as fast as I can get through the checkout.

So, I just need to realize, this is my little world where I can live in happiness and I shouldn't really worry about the rest of the family.  When they want to know, they'll ask.  Right??

Patty