Family legends that turn out to be nonsense

[..claire..]

I think there's something fishy about this family tale,

My 5x Gt Grandfather was supposedly eaten by a shark, he was 'supposedly' a sea faring man but I just can't find any evidence to prove this tale or disprove it ~ no death record either on land or at sea.

I know he existed, I have his marriage entry in the register, baptisms of his children and his wife a widow 13 years later.
All males in this family line had 'sea' related occupations in Plymouth, so a naval occupation would fit.

I do wonder how these tales come about ?

[jaybelnz]

Something like Chinese Whispers I would think.  Little bits getting changed when people pass on things they've heard about family!

[maddys52]

I was told as a child that my gg grandfather was Lord Mayor of Brisbane (Australia).

When I finally researched, it turns out he was elected to the Brisbane council in July 1877 (although there is some doubt whether he actually sat on the Council as there was a dispute about his eligibility), then died in Jan 1878. So just a verrrry small grain of truth.

[maddys52]

Oh, and my OH's mother's family escaped Russia in 1917. Apparently before they left they buried pots of gold in the ground on their farming estate for safe keeping. Well, whether the pots of gold or the estate actually existed - I don't think I'll ever know, but makes a good story!

[a chesters]

Before you go searching, do you know just where in Russia the estate was. Russia is just a little on the large size.

[maddys52]

Well, my mother-in-law (who wasn't yet born) says they could see Mt Ararat, so must have been somewhere in the south. But I don't think I'll pack my shovel and start looking any time soon. 

[jaybelnz]

Now that's where time travel would very much come in handy Maddy!

You might even catch them at it if you time it right -  burying the gold!

Jeanne

[Ruskie]

Well, my mother-in-law (who wasn't yet born) says they could see Mt Ararat, so must have been somewhere in the south. But I don't think I'll pack my shovel and start looking any time soon. 

Did your mother in law's family travel to Australia? If so, did they marry or die there? Their marriage and death certificates should name their parents and their occupations, so if they were farmers that adds a bit of truth to the story.

I don't think it is too far fetched - they may have expected to return to the farm to retrieve the loot. Gold was often hidden. It may also be that the 'gold' stash may have grown as the story passed down the generations. 

Frustrating that you will never know.

[maddys52]

  So long as they didn't shoot me before I got back in my time machine.