Genealogy Chat

Hi Carron, I very recently went through this exact same situation. I said that I had been researching my family history and gave names of people who I was interested in. I gave them my e-mail, postal address and a return envelope. I didn't go into great detail, just enough info to capture their interest. They e-mailed me the next day. Good luck. Deb

I can only say DO IT. When I started many years ago, before I had a computer, I contacted by letter [hand written in those days] everyone in South Shields by the name of Shipley. Many replied, and one of those put me in touch with a distant cousin researching the same family. Thus began a long and rewarding relationship via e-mail with a cousin who gave me a vast amount of info. Without him I would never have got as far as I have. You have nothing to lose by writing and much to hopefully gain. Just tell them honestly who you are and what you want to find, and apologise in advance if they are not connected. And of course include an s.a.e. with every letter. That is only polite.

I would just say that you are looking into hubby's family history, and are trying to trace relatives of (give hubby's parents names), and wondered if these names ring any bells with the person you are writing to. Say you are just trying to eliminate names at the moment. I would give your address, telephone number and email address (that's if you don't mind giving them out), and also enclose a stamped addressed envelope (with a number on the back relating to who you have sent it to). Say that you would appreciate it if they don't think they are related and don't wish you to contact them again, that they at least send the envelope back empty. That way you will at least know that they have received your letter and can eliminate them from your search. I have done this in the past, and have found that most people these days prefer to use email or the telephone. Good luck. Kath. x

Carron I would just give basic info, enough to get their interest. Make sure you give a contact phone number or email address and you might want to include a stamped addressed envelope, it might encourage them to reply. Georgina.

I have been on genes reunited no names match , spent hours on ancestry/free bmd etc now have certificates and seem to be able to narrow down a bit but should i just give basic info when contacting these people or give full details as my husband has never known his father or that side if the family, I am prettysure he now has at least 1 brother out there somewhere. any further suggestion?

Have you had a look for any of the names on the GR Boards Carron? Personally I would see what I could find out through BMD's before contacting everyone with the same name. Where have you looked so far? Regards Ann

I am tracing my husbands family as he doesn't know anything about the family only his mothers side , I have looked up the surname on 192.com and I am sending letters to all the people in the hastings area (last known to be in this area)with the same surname . I need advice as to what to put in the letters do i go into much depth or just give basic details ie fathers anme grandparents name etc. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. carron