Male or female lines...or both?

[Amy K]

I have met quite a few researchers (sorry guys but it is mainly men) who favour  researching only their male lines. They don't bother researching the families of the women who married into their male lines.

How many of us here do that?

Personally, I'm an all-rounder, I treat all lines equally, some of my interesting finds would have remained undiscovered if I had neglected the women in my trees...

[Little Nell]

All lines ... after all you have to do something when someone disappears for no apparent reason leaving a gaping hole.

Nell

[Hackstaple]

I research them both but all will agree it takes more time and resources to track the women. Most men, my ancestors excepted, keep the same surname all their lives. I am plagued by the fact that for about 200 years every man in my ancestry married either and Elizabeth or a Mary Anne.

[RJ_Paton]

As a male I'd cast my vote for an all lines enquiry..... although given that it is the females who have often caused the most trouble in tracking them down I reserve the right to change my mind 

[Fitty]

I agree with Bob.   I,m an all rounder too and is'nt it frustrating when you find a Parish record that says  Wife of John smith died blah de blah.. My heart just sinks!

[SS from The Rhondda]

I can't understand people who only search the male lineage.  It must be because it is comparatively easier.

I am looking for all of my ancestors.
If one of them didn't exist then neither would I...

[Darcy2016]

I agree as well.  I like to research both sides of the family, but I often find the women's side to be more challenging...especially with the fondness for the names Mary Ann and Elizabeth in our family- it can get a bit confusing  .  Sometimes a bit of a challenge is good though because when you finally do find the right information you feel really good about it.  Of course it's slightly frustrating in the process!!!  And I've found a lot of really interesting things while tracing some of the women's side of the family.   I like to have the most complete tree that I can if possible because everyone is relevent, but to each their own 

Kathy

[teddybear1843]

Both!

I agree with those who have said that we are made up from ALL of our ancestors!

I find that if I get stuck on one line there is always somewhere else to turn and I never get bored.  After all, if we stuck to the male line what happens if he was born outside wedlock? 

What about the old saying that we can be sure of our Mother but .........

Teddybear1843

[Bee]

I'm researching both mine and my husbands families and contrary to what other people have said, upto now I've had a lot more success with the female sides than the male sides.

On my father's side I know who his grandparents are but cannot find theri births or marriage.

On my husband's side though I know when he died and how old at death, I still cannot find his birth (just too many George Holmes')

But the IGI has been very helpful for the female sides.