Genealogy Chat

Hi Joe. Thank you for your reply. I am hoping with this surname I might get some leads. :)

. It often works but depends on the rarity of the name - it wouldn't work with Smiths, Browns, Greens, but it should with Sayers, Angwin etc., where the root can be identified. If you have foreign relatives then the foreign local White Pages will show where the root may be used in conjunction, to some extent, with the IGI.

Hi Gwyn and Wendy. I'm finding all of your stories fascinating! I've almost always contacted people when I've known or at least believed we were connected, and had good results. Actually, the only time I DIDN'T receive replies was in a case similar to the one I face now. Perhaps that's why I'm hesitant to contact these Pearl descendants - I'm feeling like 'why bother, it didn't work the last time I wrote'. Thank you everyone. I will write and will be concise (hopefully!) and polite. :)

YES!! Do it!! When I started seeking the ancestry of my lost grandmother Daisy Shipley from South Shields, I wrote to every Shipley in South Shields, apologising if I was intruding and asking if anyone was connected to my family. Several replied without much joy, but one came back to say that this WAS his family. He knew little but told me his cousin in Canada was researching the same family. He put us in touch with each other. That was about 8 years ago, and Alan and I, distant cousins, have continued a very fruitful and pleasant relationship via e-mail ever since. We learned a vast amount from each other, and still occasionally do. We share every snippet and test theories on each other. We both insist on proof of each fact and e-mail copies of all documents to each other. Do it. You have nothing to lose. Wendy

I knew that my grandfather was said to come from a particular small town in Sussex so I wrote to people living there who had the same surname. I did get some replies, including one telling me that I should get in touch with this person's sister, - (not written to because she had married a SMITH) as she was interested in the family history and might be able to help. What a wonderful breakthrough. This lady turned out to be a 2nd cousin and had a lovely photograph of my great grandfather with his 4 sons, which she lent us to copy. Go for contact. As long as you are polite and it is clear why you are writing, most people would welcome such a letter, even if out of curiosity about the surname. Gwyn

Peter, Shirley and Kath, thank you for your replies. It was interested reading of your successes and stories. I'm hoping the Pearl ancestor came over with another sibling or family member. Since I can't find anything about his family, perhaps someone might know of this ancestor. Thank you again.

When I was looking for my grandfather's death (he had left his family in the 1920's and wasn't seen again), a cousin just happened to mention that he might have gone to the Isle of Wight (have no idea where she came up with this from and it turned out to be wrong). Anyway, I got the address of everyone of his surname on the Isle of Wight from the recent electoral register and wrote to all of them. There was only about 10 so didn't take too long. I explained why I was writing, saying that I hoped to find someone who had a connection to my grandfather, gave my address, email address and telephone number and included a stamped addressed envelope for their reply. I didn't get any letters back but I did get an email and several telephone calls. No one knew of my grandfather, but all were interested and said they would keep my details in case anyone else in their families could help me. I have since found out about my grandfather through other means, but I definitely think that anything is worth a go to try to get the information you want. Good luck. Kath. x

well i was looking for my mums sisters descendants, she was a homechild to Canada in the early 1900.s I found her married name & knew the area she was in so I rang several people with that surname in the area . No one knew of her family but everyone was very polite & one man even offered to do a search for me. Fortunately i did eventually find some of her children thro a contact thro the perry snow site. So I would say go for it .

Yes - I contacted all the Scarr family in south east England - got two positive hits and ended up with photos and dates. Well worth the effort. Suggest you include a printed tree with your letter and ask if they may be connected and if so whether they could fill in any details. Berst of luck Peter

I've tried searching for a friend's ancestors and can't find anything. I believe they lived in Nova Scotia, Canada around 1850. His surname is somewhat unusual: Pearl. I'm thinking of contacting Pearl descendants (from Nova Scotia) in hopes that they may know something about HIS family. Has anyone contacted people sharing the same surname in a community without knowing of a connection? Any and all responses very much appreciated.