Don't always believe your relations!!

[Emjaybee]

My brother was invited to go to Trinidad and take on a plantation but he was in the army and could not go. The story was one of the Grandads had stolen a horse and was transported there.

I have found a Gt Gt Grandad who had stolen some sheep and was transported to Australia! Nobody knows who went to Tasmaniam but a cousin who has passed away was in contact with Trididad and distant relatives there - but who they are nobody knows.

[mike175]

These old family stories often bear investigation. One of ours was that we were related to minor nobility . . . I even have copies of begging letters written in victorian times to prove the legend has been in existence for many generations. I don't imagine they were successful . . . the addressee was a banker!

After extensive research I still haven't found anything conclusive, but it looks as if I might just be a 12th cousin to an extinct baronetcy . . . the possible common ancestor having died in 1581 . . .  

Mike.

[pennine]

When I was a child I was to all intents and purposes an only child. Everyone else seemed to have someone except me. I lived with Granny and I was lonely. I longed for a brother or sister. Probably on the lines of the 'imaginary friend'.  :(I told my friends that I had a secret much older brother. Because he was so important to Government overseas they must not ever mention him to Granny. I invented great stories about him being some kind of action hero. He had a name, Ralph pronouced Raif, a bright red sports car, a nice home, a penthouse flat in Londons' Kensington Area and he travelled about the world, that's why no one ever met him! He came to visit on high days and holidays and treated me to ice creams and days out at zoos and parks. When I got good marks for home work he had helped me! When I couldn't go out to play with friends, (when Granny said no) it was because my big brother was coming home!
When I got to 13 or 14 friends were asking more and more delving questions and I began making mistakes that they were picking up on so I was compelled to kill him off in a mountaineering accident as he struggled alone against all adversity to conquer the Eiger! He was awarded a medal for being a pioneering hero and buried in Westminster Abbey!

Many years down the line I find I have one half brother, possibly full blood, two step brothers, two half sisters and two step sisters, and an adoptive sister!
How's that for self- fulfilling prophecy? I am even more confused than I was way back then!
Be careful what you wish for or you could end up like me.

Pennine

P.S. I AM VERY WELL ADJUSTED...... REALLY

[cazza59]

What a wonderful story Pennine.  You must have done really well at school in essay writing with such an imagination! 

This is a terrific thread, wish I had a story to contribute but I'm really enjoying reading everyone else's!

Caz

[pennine]

Hi Caz I got a 1st Class Ba Honours degree at Manchester Uni as a mature student whilst bringing up five kids! It included English, English Lit, History and Psychology, that's why I can annalise myself now and not be defensive! Looking back I had lots of baggage but maybe it makes for an interesting life!

Pennine

[cazza59]

I did the same thing, a Commerce Degree except I only had one child....hats off to you doing it with 5!! 

Something to be said for us "mature" ladies 

Caz

[pennine]

Commerse? did that involve maths? I was rubbish at maths, failed o'level maths yet three of my children are wizzez at it it. Two follow me and are artistic and can write stories. Good on you!
Pennine

[greenvalley]

Hi Jo,

when  I started researching my husband's tree I was told that his great grandmother was called ALICE ALICIA ANDERSON. I spent ages trying to find her, because I hoped she would lead me to her husband, John Wilson.

There was no sign of her in Jamaica, where the couple lived. Then I found a letter, tucked away in a book, which belonged to my late father-in-law. It had been written by his grandfather, John Wilson.

Using the date and the name of the post town I managed to find him, and his wife.

Her name? AVIS CATHARINE TODD... 

Greenvalley

[behindthefrogs]

Hi Jo,

when  I started researching my husband's tree I was told that his great grandmother was called ALICE ALICIA ANDERSON. I spent ages trying to find her, because I hoped she would lead me to her husband, John Wilson.

There was no sign of her in Jamaica, where the couple lived. Then I found a letter, tucked away in a book, which belonged to my late father-in-law. It had been written by his grandfather, John Wilson.

Using the date and the name of the post town I managed to find him, and his wife.

Her name? AVIS CATHARINE TODD... 

Greenvalley

I think there is avery good chance that you will find that Alice was your husband's great great grandmother  I found two similar examples of stories being a generation out in my family history.

David