Genealogy Chat

Mo - get some Scottish rellies. That way you can download images from the actual registers for a pound each just like that. J

2008!!!!???? Now I feel like grumbling. ;-)

Jean We must be related! For almost 40 years, I have been looking for the baptism of my 2 x GGF, born c 1824/5/6/. In all that time I have only come up with one possibility - illegitimate of course. I am pretty certain its him - but there is a black hole between his birth and his second marriage some 35 years later. I dont think I will ever solve this now, except by a sheer miracle. He makes me moan AND grumble. And as for impatience waiting for certs - well, yes, if you are researching your tree with any hope of accuracy, there isnt much point in trying to fill in the gaps BEFORE you get the certs - that way lies the primrose path to someone else's tree! However, if all goes to plan, we shall be able to download certs on line by 2008! OC

I reserve the right to moan as much as I like. As O C said I am British and it is part of the culture. You'd moan too if you had my paternal line. Dysfunctional isn't the word for it. After struggling for years I have got back to 1824. Looking at workhouse creed records last Wednesday at the LMA I discover on an entry for my great, great uncle that there was a settlement order made in 1821. Of course, as it is my paternal line the settlement records concerned no longer exist, and I am still left with a brick wall that I don't think I can ever knock down. I would also add that I can't be bothered to cook a decent meal because I haven't got the time... I'm too busy looking for my ancestors. Jean x.

Its not just certificates that are expensive, when you live far from your ancestors abodes, there is travel and accomadation to visit the records office for the county they lived in. I recently spent two days at Trowbridge, we live in Lincoln, two nights B & B and diesel were not cheap. BUT it was worth it, found my 6xggf marriage licence and his will. Only problem is have to go again, marriage licence says he was a widower!! So now have to find first wife. What a fantastic hobby though.

But Paul, I was so excited to find my grandfather's siblings (didn't know he had any) on a tree that has been a stumbling block for years (Ireland, of course). The order said the certs. would be posted on 8/8 ( still not arrived) - postman dodging me now. It's like not getting that birthday present you expected on your actual birthday. I want my certificates NOW NOW NOW. Pls. don't post anything telling me to act my age and not my shoe size. Best wishes to all fellow genealogists anyway.

Hey Paul I been at this now over seven years according to the mountain of paper. the only thing annoying is why didnt my lot remember what their flipping names were in the same family., an why didnt they keep better records, didnt they know i'd come looking. I am the family ,'story teller' Let us know in a year how well your doing

I'm a bit curious. How long does it take on average to get a certificate in England. It appears to be a constant grumble. I ordered one here through our group (WAGS) and got it in six weeks, they usualy take about 4 weeks. Victoria (Aust) has a great system where you can order and download it immediately. Sue West OZ

Rod How do you feel about people who can't type? LOL OC

I sort of get annoyed at people who cant read. Rod

Hi Paul, The only persons I grumble to/about is my dead relatives and myself. Dead rellies because they took secrets with them to the grave and me because there are SOooooooo many jobs around the house to be done. This hobby has shown a side of me that I was unaware of, like.......I am now a detective, I am very understanding of what a good life I lead now compared to the heartache of my long dead ancesters. How many times have we seen a baptism record only to see in a few months that child was buried. The women had a baby every two years, and sometimes every 18 month. How did they cope???? Look how we are fed today, remember how they were fed then!!!!!! As far as waiting for certificates........It took me long enough to get the relevant info in order to order the cert. whats a few more days!!!!! Kathlyn

Sally yes, but only the first one! And I get more annoyed by post Headings which don't indicate ANYTHING about the subject, such as Help help help. Drives me mad. (Another grumble) OC

So OC, you do have to read the post to find out what its about!!! Rod

I'd better not tell you then, Paul, that I have a good grumble about my 'brick walls' that I just cannot knock down. Grrr, talking about my brick walls, I feel a grumble coming on now, so will exit this thread ..... :-) *doesn't tell anyone that she's still addicted, though*

I agree with Nell - nothing like the thrill of a Records Office. OK, you may not find what you went looking for, but believe me, you will find something else just as interesting! And one find leads you to another - and another - OC

Paul I must admit I get more impatient when I've ordered a cert and am waiting for it, than I do generally. But I agree. The only thing I feel justified in moaning about is finding that records I need have not survived! But that's life. I do get a bit fed up with threads that say, in essence, 'I really want to find this out, but can't be bothered to take out a sub/pay for a certificate/trawl through an untranscribed list/go to a records office'. The answer to that of course is that if you don't want to make the effort, you can't want to know that much. I started off doing everything on the internet and I am still amazed at what I can find with this. But once I took the plunge I found that records offices, local history centres and other archives are brilliant -FREE - resources with a wealth of material, really a treasure trove. OK, sometimes it takes a bit of time to find what you want, but that's part of the experience. And what can beat the thrill of finding that the house where your gt gt grandfather lived is still there, and is now a beautifully kept listed building? Or having a drink in a pub that your gt gt gt auntie once ran? nell

Rod Generally you only have to read the first post of a thread to realise what its about! OC

Sue, How do you know what the post is about if you don,t read it??? Rod

Here here OC, if I feel like a moan about Genealogy stuff, nobody at home is interested so I can only vent it on here. I won't be told that I can't do it, nobody is forced to read posts.

I will fight to the death to defend my right to a good moan and grumble - I'm British, for God's sake. I'm mostly past the certificate getting stage and have to wait, sometimes months, for my latest PR marathon to arrive at the LDS. But, its like a treat when I get it and it totally absorbs me for weeks. I doubt if the GRO will get more staff in readiness for the next onslaught - its not quite as easy as it sounds. For a start, they need training. They must have a finite number of photocopiers, which limits production even if they are going 24/7. The GRO is a government body, funded from OUR taxes and must work to a budget - how cross would we all be if they were LOSING money on our behalf. And what do you do with all these extra staff when the demand dies down again? Do as I do - order from local ROs wherever possible (and save someone's job!) OC