Genealogy Chat

Susan
I live in Brisbane, and have been searching for my grandfathers brother for 15 years, we found his family in canada 13 months ago. I wrote a letter, added my e-mail addy, and to my astonishment recieved an e-mail from his daughter, we have since sent photo's backwards and forwards and have even phoned each other, and the family has branched out even further, with other lost cousins being found.

So good luck to you, I am originally from the u.k. and my grandmother was from llandudno in wales, If I can help from this end, let me know.

Best wishes

Amber

Aussies are a laid back bunch, so as much as receiving something from out of the blue from someone we don't know, generally they'd be pretty happy and excited I think.

Facinated that someone has found them from the other side of the world also comes to mind. It's rare for Aussies to reject people they don't know because we're usually a pretty open bunch and pretty much except anything and anyone.

Go for it. Definately using Valerie's suggestions will help.

Gypsyjoe

Thanks for the offer to help with my searching for family.I think its important for my children to know about their late father's family and I will keep going with this.
How are you going? any reply's yet.
I am just going to say, I live in Western Australia, in Bunbury actually, so if there is anything I can check for you, please let me know.
Mavis

Hi Mavis
Thanks for such a nice uplifting message.
I sent a letter off last Thursday, and do so hope I receive a reply.
30 years is a long time to search for a family, do you need any help with anything this end? I live in Wales, but would be happy to help in any way I can.
Susan

Susan
I live in Western Australia and have been searching for my now late husbands family in the uk for 30years. He died at 6oyears and was never reunited with any family. I would suggest write today, dont wait any longer to get in touch. Good luck with this.
Mavis

Thanks Val & Ozibird & Mary...and I hope you're right about the letter being a pleasant surprise. Anyway, off to psych myself up to put pen to paper.

Susan

Valerie, my grandmother was Mary Smith LOL

Not a LOL when searching the common-name ancestors though, populated with Mary's, John's and James's

Good Luck Susan

Valerie, that sounds good.

Susan, family history in Australia is as popular as it is in the UK. So even though it will be a surprise, it will be a pleasant one, I hope. I know I would love to hear from some unknown relatives!

Valerie's ideas are great.

Ozi.

......I would say something like: .... Re: Mary Smith . ........'I'm hoping I may have found the Australian branch of my grandmother's family.' ........OR................ Re: Mary Smith .......................'I've been searching for my grandmother's family... who emigrated to Aus.....and hope I may have found them.' ....... .........in case it helps!.....Valerie

Hi Ann

Yes, Cherilyn found them for me.

I had the names of my relatives born around 1900 from my gran's family book, and of course knew that her brother emigrated to Australia after WW1.

Susan

Are these relatives you have found through GR?

Ann

I need to write some letters to Australia to relatives of my father's, but I just had a thought that it could be a bit of a shock receiving a letter out of the blue, from someone you don't know exists.

Would anyone have any tips on what to put in the first paragraph of a letter to a living relative you've not met?

Would be grateful for any help. Thank you.

Susan