Genealogy Chat

Yes, Wills are wonderful! I have one dated 1559, which waffles on about who shall have what - a lot to give away - but finishes with 'But to my son Christopher, the sum of one penny, as I have already paid 200 guineas to bring him into the Country' Oooh, whatever had Christopher been up to, and where? Another speaks volumes between the lines - ten children, but the Will leaves everything to one (illegitimate) grandson, except 'my bed and my bedhangings and my pillows and a gray cover and a horsehair mattress and a woolen overmattress, to my daughter (mother of the illegitimate child) WHO HATH NEED OF IT. (LOL!) Olde Crone

I'm sure I read somewhere that the two most common uses of the web are for genealogy and sex. Errrrmmmm....personally, I'd rather stick with genealogy (although that doesn't mean there haven't been a few saucy stories!!) Seriously, I agree with all the above. I can't ever see my research being at an end, even though I doubt I'll add many more names to my tree. I think of my research like a long walk. I know where the main path is and I can get back to it if I want. Every so often I find something really interesting, so I stop and look around. Sometimes I take a complete rest and other times, it seems like I'm running because so much information comes thick and fast. The list of topics I've become interested in is endless! Individual villages, non-conformism, lacemaking, fishing, women's education, agriculture in the 18th century, etc. etc............ And, as somebody above wrote, most of it can be found without leaving the house!

Hello Suzanne, If I hadn't progressed sideways and downwards on other branches then I would never have discovered photos of my direct ancestors that were passed down those branches. I now have photos of great great ancestors that I would not have had if I had stopped (given up?) too early. Regards, Andy