How far back?

[alan66]

Is there any point in going back further than your great great grandparents?

Some of my relatives are interested in the family tree but only id they knew the person or have seen a photograph.

[larkspur]

Alan, it is entirely up to you how far you go back, or want to go back. At the end of the day surely you are doing it for you and not your relatives who may or may not be interested. My brother , for instance has no interest whatsoever, even though he is the only one to carry our family name forward.

[KGarrad]

Absolutely! Go back as far as you can

If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have found the link between my family and John Constable (the painter)!
Or the relative who was at the Indian Mutiny.

[Rishile]

I have the same problem - in fact I would go as far as to say most RC'ers have.  My OH will only discuss grandparents that he knew.  After that his eyes get that glazed look.  I know I have to stop talking then.

But - it's MY hobby so I'll go back as far as I can, forward if I chose to and divert sideways if the fancy takes me.

Anyway, I have found the closer generations (grand-parents, gt. grandparents) were not as interesting as the generations further back.  You never know what you'll find unless you look for it.

Rishile

[Ringrose]

Interesting history by going back further.....my ggggrandfathers ancestors were privateers in a Jersey and visiting Jersey gave me more information....this would be pre 1800.Researching further with the same family I found they came from Normandy.
There's some interesting history out there and I would go as far back as possible.
Ringrose

[Katharine F]

Oh yes, it's definitely worth looking back as far as you can.

 If you don't immediately find anything particularly fascinating look at a history timeline to see what was happening in the world that may have affected your ancestors. It makes them much more "real."

[GrahamSimons]

I agree - though I've not been particularly systematic, following one line or set of clues that seem interesting or fruitful, then moving to another as the fancy takes me. The cousins and relatives by marriage have brought all sorts of things to light, from missionaries in China to Boer War casualties, to anti-slavery patrols in the 19th century (and indeed in 1931) to slave owners in Jamaica and Texas, and all sorts of insight into 17th century village life. I've found settlers and pioneers from Nova Scotia to Chile, from Kenya to New Zealand; I've found all sorts of things.
But I'd agree that a family tree which only has dates of BMDs is not of compelling interest if you go back several generations, unless it can be set in context of the events of the time.

[hullnow]

As Rishile said ,it`s your hobby and how far back you go is up to you.I myself am looking into my extended family just out of curiosity.What ever you do keep a record of your discoveries because in the future a descendent of yours may be interested.Like most hobbies it can be rather selfish but never the less interesting

[Guy Etchells]

It depends who you are compiling the tree for and why.

If it is for your relatives then it seems for some of them no, there is no point in going further back.
However the others may appreciate you going as far back as you can.

No matter how far back you go try to discover as much as possible about each person; you may even be able to find out what some ate for their breakfast.

However most people research their family history for themselves, in which case go as far back as you want.

Cheers
Guy