Genealogy Chat

HOW I wish I had asked questions when I had grandparents still living, and when all of my Dad's uncles & aunts were alive (13 of them), and goodness knows who else. They all died died during the 1960's and 70's.

But I have to agree with some of the comments from the above threads regarding the older generations.....you just didn't ask questions of a personal nature. I know if I had started asking any of my Dad's side (v. Victorian types) then I wouldn't have got far before being known as an impertinent little madam!! My Dad's mother wouldn't even talk to him about his estranged father as 'he didn't need to know' apparently!!!!! SO I wouldn't have stood a hope in hell.
My Mum's mother would have answered me anything I'm sure, as she was a completely different type, and I kick myself that I didn't take the opportunity, but family history didn't interest me much then.

I have a zillion questions I could ask any one of them right now, given the chance.

Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing.

K

I,m a pensioner too and when I was growing up "children were to be seen and not heard" was the maxim. MY dads mum used to pay us a "state" visit every three years or so and we could only say "hello grandma" and that was it , she barely even acknowledged that!!
You just didnt ask personal questions then of the older generation.
How I wish it had been different cos my dads father,who was lost at sea in 1911 when dad was barely 4, turns out to have been German, altho he anglicised his name and told porkies that he was English ,to join the British Army in 1898 aged 17. The family didnt take naturalization and are only on the 1891and 1901 census as born Germany but no further info
I wish i could have asked questions when i was growing up.Grandma died in the 1960,s and you still wouldn't ask anything personal then.

Shirley

Alan

I was lucky as when my Brother got into this my Nan was still alive....My 2 are to young to get into this at the mo but i do hope that 1 of them will as they have a fascinating heritage

Julie

When I was growing up, my past didnt seem important. Now a pensioner, it's too late because those who knew the answers, are no longer with us. As a frequent visitor to this sight, it appears many are in the same boat and I can only urge the 'Seniors' to encourage their offsprings to develope an interest as I have done with mine.