Why research your family tree???

[bubblefish84]

I just wanted to know what reasons people had to start researching their family trees?

I'm interested to find out how many reasons there can be for wanting to know about your ancestors. My own reasons are because my grandfather found out he had 4 siblings that he did not know about an so we tried to find them.

[Duck]

WDYTYA are TV got me interested, I thought why not have a go at my family tree.  I entered what I knew onto a tree on Genes Reunited and instantly made contact with a long lost Uncle (my Mums brother), no one had seen or heard from him for over 20 years.

[Tricia_2]

Lots of reasons.

I was always fascinated with the idea of where I came from ~ as in right back in time! I know that I'm not likely to find that out, but my interest in the origins of man & the 'Out of Africa' theories, etc, fascinate me as much as finding out about my great grandparents. DNA 'archaeology' is making this side of my quest a real possibility now. (Expensive idea though  )

Before I started on my own geneaology I would study the pedigrees of the royal families of Europe. Again, I was fascinated.

I love history, archaeology, anthropology, etc. When I was studying History at school it would come alive for me when I realised that members of my own family had lived through it ~ especially if they were people I had known.

One day, my Mum heard a geneaologist being interviewed on the Jimmy Young show. She thought that this was something I would like, so she bought me her book ~ 'How to Trace Your Ancestors' by Meda Mander.

I was hooked. I have ancestors from England, Wales, Scotland & Greece ~ and probably elsewhere, too. I have an illegitimate line which prevented me from researching in that area for some time, because it upset my grandparents so much when I first mentioned it.

Some of the family stories are amazing ~ the true ones more so than the 'legends'!

Without those who gave birth to me, and to my ancestors, I wouldn't even be here. I want to know where my roots lie.

[Suziesmith37]

Hi Bubblefish

It was a pocket watch that got me started and an old family tale that one of my ancestors was a sailor; the one time he forgot to take his 'lucky' watch to sea with him he never returned!

The it was a photo of my g grandmothers Gypsy Caravan and then the reasons behind my G Grandfather dying at a young age (WW1)

Each stone turned throws up another two questions - so I think this will be a lifetime project for me.

And the best of it is I have found family I didn't know I had and met a lot of people on Rootschat whom I like to think of as friends - so thanks Ancestors! And for helping me find out just where my roots are.

Su

[Jean McGurn]

I had been doing the history of the village/parish where I live when a family member, who was visiting me at the time, suggested I did the family history instead.

Having been taken into the family in 1942 at less than 2 months of age and being adopted 12 months later, doing the research has given me roots even though I cannot 'prove' without DNA testing. I am fairly certain which branch my unknown father came from.

I am convinced of this from remarks made by another family member, who when being asked about the family between the wars, replied to my remark about 'not really being family',  told me that I was.

Unfortunately she passed on before I could find out more, as have other members who may have known the truth.

The one thing she did do, for which I am eternally grateful, was to send me a batch of photo's and give me a lot of info about past aunts, uncles and even her maternal grandparents.

Jean

[kooky]

When my father died in 1996 my mother gave me several BMD certificates, a family bible and some old photos all relating to the Kane/ Boshell/ Dowzard families in Ireland. I thought it looked interesting and decided to investigate my family history when I retired, in 2004.
However, I started looking for information about my mother's family more or less straightaway and then it just snowballed!
I have since found family in America, relations of my father I had not known existed, and two second cousins who share my gt. gr.mother.
It has taken me to Edinburgh, Dublin and Co. Armagh, Birmingham, Manchester, Marple, Rushton Spencer in Staffs., and Tutbury in Derbyshire, so far!
There is still much to discover and I am amused when people ask " Have you finished your family tree?". The other question I get immediately is "How far back have you got?". That is not really the point. I did History as part of my OU degree and am fascinated to discover  how where and when my ancestors lived.
Kooky

[KathMc]

I started 16 years ago, as I thought it was a good way to get closer to my mom. We used to argue a lot and things like that. Little did I know all I needed to do was have children, and we'd get closer. In the meantime, I got addicted and can't stop.

Kath

[Lydart]

Hello Bubble, and welcome to Rootschat !   I think you'll find us an addicted lot, and very kindly and helpful.


I started the family tree business when I found my great aunts obituary from Canada; it mentioned children and grand-children, and I wanted to know about them.  Having located them, I started on the English ancestors ... and then visited the relatives in Canada to tell them about our common ancestry ! 

It still continues !

[steve100]

Just after my son was born sixteen years ago,I said to my father,that because I was the youngest son with the youngest son one day I was going to start a family tree.He gave me three names of grandparents.Nearly thirteen years later I discovered the piece of paper with names on,thats how it all started.I just wish I`d asked him and my mum so much more.