Genealogy Chat

Ted, Unfortuately it is not uncommon. The least helpful (or ones that don't even acknowledge your request) are the ones that are sitting on the information you are after. Even polite requests for information that one is more than willing to pay for their time and photocopying, postage etc is just ignored! I also have a problem with people that quite happily take the info you have photocopied etc with out the good manners of saying 'thankyou' The people who have helped me the most are the ones that aren't related but are just plain helpful!!! Not a lot one can do about it Victoria

no wonder if you only have a Bath once a year!!!! only kidding its their loss, I too found some living rellies and so far been quite lucky, but the last living Sister of my Father the one I really could do with for info doesnt really want to know. My next door neighbour was going to do her Tree so she asked her mum what her mothers name was (meaning maiden name) and she said Mum, she got the impression that a family tree was horrific, I think sometimes they are hoping to hide things they dont want us to find.

No, Ted, you're not the only one. When I was entering my dad's family's details onto GR, I found someone else with his half-brother in their tree (it's a very rare name, so I'm absolutely certain it was him), but he expressly asked me not to contact that side of the family. I'm aware that he hasn't had any contact with his half-brother since their mother's funeral in 1980, but I was slightly surprised at this request. I thought it best to agree not to, and have not. Maybe I will sometime, possibly after Dad has made his final appearance in civ reg records. I don't see why a rift which occurred before I was born should prevent me from making contact now with people who are actually related to me. Is there something they know about him that he doesn't want me to know?

Hi Ted, Sorry to hear your relatives aren't so nice. You can adopt me if you like, I promise to write every so often!!! Fiona. x

Never mind Ted, as they say, you cant choose your rellies. I guess a lot of people arent great communicators and things that seem easy for some of us may put the fear of god into them.

lol Ted, I'm glad to hear that!!! Unfortunately, I have found that some people put their rellies/ancestors on pedestals, and when they find out they were only human (illegitimate children etc) they get very defensive!! Personally, the more 'human' I find my ancestors the better!! maggie

Well Ted, that's one thing you can give up if the water shortage forecasts come true. :-) Keith

Thanks everybody, I thought it was me, I do have a bath once a year whether I need it or not. TED.

quick reply here. dont loose no sleep over it, many screwed up familys, mine included. your future is your family now , thats my moto anywhere, keep smiling and dont get down. Take care

Hi Ted, How disappointing for you? Hopefully they will reply in time. I know what it is like, I contacted someone who I knew was related and they didn`t reply either. It is sad when that happens, but we just have to respect their feelings I suppose. Luckily there are plenty more people who DO want to make contact with their rellies. Hope you find some soon. Frances

no ted your not the only one believe me we all have them in our familys its a shame things worked out the way they did for you i bet you feel gutted at the way you have been treated chin up,im sure you have some nice rellies out there angiex

hi all, couple of months ago found 2 brothers of my aunt on my mums side, didnt know they existed at the time, but phoned em, and agreed to visit them. When I got there, they didnt want to know, and told me in a polite way to 'shove off' not interested in knowing about their mum and dad. 5 weeks ago I found a long lost g/aunt OCTAVIA ADA, my grandmas youngest sister born 1871 she died age 95 in EASTBOURNE in 1966. Found her son and dau in law, then found THEIR son and dau in law, then THEIR unmarried son. phones em up, tells em who I am, and they seemed interested so wrote to them. You guessed it! they didnt reply, left it 2 weeks wrote again, and still no response. tried phoning again but now get an answering machine and they dont respond. Am I the only one with lousy relatives? TED