Genealogy Chat

I always make a point of drinking a pint in the nearest pub when I find an ancestors home. No, it's not self-indulgence.... The pub opposite where one of my ancestors lived had old pictures on the wall of the area.... including one of my ancestor! .... Did you notice that Barbara Windsor found that on the recent WDYTYA? Can you think of a better excuse for a pint?

Eyup Paul - which pub are we off to then (make it tonight 'cause I'm just taking my little one off to her birthday treat for the day!!). Shall we discuss the next election? Snowbydobydrops!!!!! (just trying out a joyful twist on my name - lol)

Pubs might have older residents who can remember village history. I've several Norfolk ancestors who ran pubs - brilliant website - www.norfolkpubs.co.uk/ Husband's family also ran pubs - his grandmother and mother were both born in pubs!

Hello Paul. most of my family had pubs, always pay a visit to the pub and have a drink two pubs had my ancestors on the wall. Sue

Yes, always worth a try. Have had phone calls from my local - ' can you come up? Someone's here wanting to find out about their family?' I only go to help, of course! Jay

We recently went to Wales and went for a meal at a pub in the village where my mum grew up. I told the landlord of our interest and he later directed me to an old timer. He in turn was thrilled to chat and only the previous week his 94 years old brother had related names of his school friends, - one being mum. The other pub in the village put up a postcard request for me, some time ago, and through them I was able to get a photo of my grandparents' cottage, which I knew to be demolished in 1965. Yes, pubs are useful. Gwyn

Paul I did just that this week.. I went to visit a pub where my hubby's Greatgranfather was landlord.. They were great.. they opened up as it was closed.. and showed us around and told us about the changes that had taken place and how the pub deeds had been lost with the exchanges of hands via Breweries.. The most interesting fact was an Elderly lady who used to go there for dinner every Sat told them about a family she used to visit and play with in the pub.. it was hubby's gran .. the unfortunate thing was the old lady had died the weekend before we visited.. The stories we could have been told.. :-( Mo

Meercat, I think you take your 'nom de plume' a little too seriously. Therapy is available on the NHS.

But amidst all this humour is an excellent tip! Where better to ask questions than in a place where people congregate for a good chinwag. A good gossip is merely a way of sharing information. I would wager a small amount (coz I've not got a lot!) that this tip would not be found in any reference book. Anne

Absolutely, Anne. I once phoned my mum to tell her I was sitting in the pub in London outside which her great grandfather fell out of a Hansom cab and died. As I raised a glass to him the barman overheard and told me a little history of the pub and took me into the private quarters where a picture on the wall showed the street at the time of my ancestor's death. You don't get that sort of contact from books or internet!

I agree. In the little village in North Wales where my fathers father was from there is a pub which is full of memorobilia of the local Tramway - and one of the photos in there is of my 2x great grandfather who was a waggoner for the tramway and also the tollgate keeper for the village - Definitely worth a swift pint! The village even has a tiny little HSBC bank - which used to be the tollhouse/gatehouse - so everytime I see that tiny little place I know thats where he lived and brought up 10 children! Alex

Especially if it is a pub that your ancestor worked in, you never know what you may find. Some of my best Family History Research in Ireland has been done through the local Pubs to where my ancestors lived. One proprietor even arranged with the local priest to bring in some early 1800 Church Registers and I stared in disbelief as he swept the crumbs and drops of drink off the bar with his hand and placed these precious old documents amongst the debris of the bar. I did shudder slightly, but I did get to see some records I might never have seen! Janet

There you go, Marion, you've met a nice bloke at the pub tonight. If he's an Ag Lab I hope he wiped his boots before coming in.

I went to some Suffolk villages a month or so ago just to see where my ancestors had lived..By chance we decided to go to one last village. Pub right next door to the church. Hot day needed a cider. (Aspalls - lovely) anyway had a look in the churchyard next door and lo and behold found the graves of my gt gt gt grandparents. What a perfect day.!!