Genealogy Chat

Hi Deb, I started researching my Father's side of the family over 3 years ago and got hooked. But, along the way, whilst delving into information and talking to my Dad's only surviving sister, she let it slip that my Dad had been married TWICE before he married my Mum. Once in 1945 and again in 1949. To cut a long story short, I discovered two half brother's from one marriage (who I have been united with) and a sister from another (I am still trying to find her). Family history is addictive but along the way, especially in my case, I uncovered so many lies from the past, but they turned out to be good things in the end. I would say, always be ready and prepared for the unexpected because our ancestors told bigger porkies then we do in this day and age. Although to be fair to them, back then, admitting you'd been married before and had children was not the done thing and was something to be ashamed/embarassed by. Good luck with your research. Shirley-ann Don't be suprised if you discover a few skeletons!!

oops...I must have missed that part about keeping me away from fattening things. I'm sitting here happily munching away on a chocolate bar. But I have to agree, other than the chocolate, it's a healthy hobby. It keeps my mind active and I genuinely enjoy finding these people that I'm connected to.

I love my family tree.... I find it totally absorbing and I can just forget about everything else. I see it as a hobby for life. My family have been working on my Dad's surname for 25 years and I've found genes great for finding the females and their families in my tree........ It's a brill hobby and keeps me away from fags, booze and all things fattening; so it's got to be good :-) Una

Thanks Keith. Will look at doing something along these lines. I can see that if I keep going at this rate, no-one will be able to open the study door without runnng the risk of becoming lost for good amongst the rubble.

Hi Deb, although I have been at it a long while, my organisation is terrible lol. I do have FTM and keep notes etc on that, I also keep excel spreadsheets of BMD records etc. Census records I keep on FTM as well as paper copies. Wills etc I keep on the comp as well as paper copies. I have a large file hanger box that I keep all my bits in, certs, census etc, each family has its own hanger. Hope the laptop does not crash! Have got everything backed up though.

Hi Kieth, with a tree as large as your's, how do you keep track of everything? I've only got around 150 on mine and already I'm getting into a tangle. I've got refrences scribbled on scrap paper and certs shoved into the top drawer of my pc desk. Any tip's on orginisation?

Hi Wavyone, everyone tends to concentrate on certain aspects of their tree, but you need to start collecting marriage certificates as well, unless you are just concentrating on one line. Most I think start on their paternal line as is is the easiest to follow.

Census searches are really good for finding whole families, where they lived, occupations and so forth.....really interesting. But a word of warning. Get certs to back up info on census or you could end up barking up the wrong branch like I did a month ago. I stupidly put a whole family on my tree and now I can't remove them.

I've been concentrating on births and deaths for my tree but I am not getting very far . but am hooked what other info should i be looking for...

I'm so facinated with these people that lived hundreds of years ago and I find myself spending hours on end searching census records and BMD's and all the while the ironing is building up to frightening proportions in the laundry....lol Deb:)

Hi Deb, I agree, again not just this site but others as well. Once you get into it, it becomes a very addictive hobby, I have been hooked now for 12+ years, and still finding new bits.

I don't know if I'm addicted to this site particularly because I use so many! ;-) However, I would agree that Family History in itself is addictive if you are a people person and enjoy discovering your personal heritage! :-) Cheers, Horatia

Hi all. I visited this site 4 months ago to see if I could find my grandmother and now I'm hooked. Maybe I've just got an addictive nature or maybe it's not just me. Anyone else out there who feels the same?