Contacting Distant non-researching relatives

[tn17]

Hi everybody,

In the course of my studies, using things like WWII service records, death notices in the paper and electoral rolls, I think I have tracked down living descendants of some of the branches of my tree. Do you think it's acceptable to contact these kind of relatives (who, to my knowledge, are not researching their family history)? Or is it likely to be viewed in a "breach of privacy" manner? If any Rootschatters have had expieriences with this kind of thing, I would love to hear about it.

Thanks

TN

[Jaki]

Hi TN

Using a death notice of a great uncle i discovered a living descendant and contacted them. I explained who I was, how I was linked to them and what I was doing and included a basic family group sheet and asked them if they wouldn't mind filling in some blanks for me in the information I had for that family. I also sent a stamped self addressed envelope and left it up to them to respond.

I got lucky and the person responded by completing the information for me and sending me a couple of photos of my grandmother and her sisters.

You never know unless you try.

Jaki

[casalguidi]

Hi TN

We were given names of living relatives by fellow researchers and, of the (I think) five contacted, all of them phoned and four invited us to visit

Casalguidi

[lizdb]

Yes - always worth trying.

My brother and I have done much the same - traced several branches of our tree down to present day via various records.
We sucessfully contacted and met up with one branch, but another failed to reply to our letter.

[tn17]

Jaki, Casalguidi, Lizdb

Great to hear about what sound like largely successful efforts - you're inspiring me to send out a few letters. I guess I was just a little paranoid that someone might feel spied upon. Still, if it bother them, I guess they just won't reply to the first letter.

TN

[lizdb]

I know what you mean, but when you think about it, all the info you have gained has been from publically available records. The information is out there for absolutely anyone to see, family or not.
It is not as if you have broken in to their house and rummaged through their personal papers!

That is how I look at it anyway!

[Jeanette H]

Hello To All RootsChat Members,

You will never really know if your distant relatives are researching their Family History or not.  If you feel that you want to send a letter then go ahead, its the only way to find out.

I have just posted a Message to a very similar Topic at the
following 'RootsChat' URL:
Topic:  Visiting Distant Relatives.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,252724.0.html

*  If you read [Reply: No 9] you will see what I mean. 
The whole family are now all very interested in making contact, and there are a few researchers amongst them.

The other Posts on this Topic also have wonderful stories to tell as well.

So why not give it ago.

Jeanette H.

[oldtimer]

I knew that two of my great uncles had emigrated to the US in the early 20th century. I knew the city where they had gone, and obviously the surname, which luckily wasn't too common. Using the Internet (where would we be without it!!!) I looked at the US phone books and found several people with the right surname. It also gave their addresses, so I wrote a letter explaining who I was, and asking them if they thought they were related, and sent it to five at random. Three answered - they were all relatives and thrilled to hear from me. Since then we have corresponded regularly (thanks to the Internet again!!!) and I have sent them all my research and received some wonderful old family photos from them as well as other information.

So I would say - Go for it!!!

[poppysmum]

hi

i found the address of a cousin in america from her father's obituary.  i sent her a letter and she replied with an email.  she sent me some photos of her family and i sent her a photo of her granpa as a little boy.

i was really nervous about doing it but i am glad i did now!

caroline