If I might attach my own dilema to this thread...?
Having extensively researched my own direct family, including detailed information about my Grandfathers many siblings, I was contacted about two years ago by a researcher who was trying to trace her mother's absent father. His name, and birth year are the same as my Granddad's brother, and I can not find any other instances of a person of the same name, other than he.
This researcher has persued this line of research for a long time, and has even been through Adoption Services, who, too, have seemingly also come to the conclusion that it must be the same man, and have advised her accordingly.
She has sent me a copy of his signature, and having compared it with the marriage cert of my Dad's uncle, similarities could be claimed, however, ther is almost fifteen years between the signing of these signatures.
Now, I have been in direct contact with a grandchild of my Dad's uncle, and this person's affected parent is still living.
The researcher's claims infer that my dad's uncle would have to have led a life of bigamy for a period of years, fathering two children in the process, even though now long deceased, my dad's uncle is buried with his wife. Still, the birth years of the two children fall within the final three years of his life, so plausible....
The researcher has asked if I would contact his family for her, however, I have hesitated and mulled over the implication of this for almost two years. Given the information I possess, (and I don't doubt the genuine nature of her search), I find it hard to belive that the situation could occurred.
In what way might people advise I approach this potentially explosive situation? Should I leave well alone, given that this researcher may well some day approach this line of my family direct, or, should I in some way broach the subject with the granddaughter?
Paul
