Genealogy Chat

I've received a couple of PMs asking to see my election address again. It's still on the 'Vote now' thread somewhere, but I'm posting it below.

Four score and fifteen years ago, our fathers brought forth on this nation a new census, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are required to register. We here highly resolve that these censuses shall not have been gathered in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom of access to the 1911 census, filled in by the people, for the people, and for the people of 2006. We shall fight for the release of that census, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength, we shall defend our right to view it, whatever the cost to GR may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender! I have discovered that my ancestor Julius Fritz was a Prussian. Therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words 'Ich bin ein Berliner!'' And so, my fellow genealogists, ask not what your family records centre can do for you; ask what you can do for your family records centre. I have a dream. I have a dream that one day BMD certificates will be delivered in the following day’s post. I have a dream that missing census pages will be located and replaced. I have a dream that the 1841 census will specify place of birth. I have a dream that the IGI will only bear verified information. I have a dream that spelling mistakes will be abolished from all censuses and transcriptions will be 100% accurate. I have a dream that Records centres will offer a 24-hour helpline. I have a dream that partners will show an interest in genealogy. I have a dream that Certificates will be supplied free of charge…'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, they're free at last!' I have nothing to offer but documents covered in blood, soil, tears and sweat. I do not underestimate the cost of a subscription to Ancestry. Never in the field of human genealogy was so much owed by so many to so few. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Library lasts for a thousand years, men will still book 60 minutes at the Internet café and say,….. 'This was their finest hour!'

I'm a politician. We never answer questions. ;-)

Did you have an Anglo/French ancestor who emigrated to Australia - Pom Fritz?

Yes. When he became a film star he took the name Chips Rafferty.

Dear, oh dear, oh dear. I hope you lot realise this is a serious board for genealogy tips (and stuff) and not to be messed around with by the likes of you. Now, heads down and do some serious research!!

That's great, coming from the person who corrupted the Tips board for three days this week !!!!

Hath any person PMd for my address / promises ?

Yes but Paul, who made me do it?

I have just done my first bit of serious research for some time, after a series of odd coincidences. (Is there any other way?). Someone enquired about a name on my tree, which I then looked up on FTM. Someone else then complained about Web searches on FTM producing rubbish, so I clicked on said rellie and realised that I'd managed to create a spurious marriage for her to the wrong person, complete with children. Did some proper research for her marriage and found the correct family in the next census, with the first of the 2 possible husbands, confirmed by the existence of a 'nephew' bearing her maiden name. I assume he was her son. Traced the family back 2 censuses and then found the death of the first wife. So there.

And I have found about 150 new rellies today - I kid you not. I am getting rather overwhelmed with info and feel I must slow down a bit and digest what I've found! All spurred on by mucking about for the last few days... I had a very wise Boss once, who would allow us, surprisingly, to muck about every day, turning a deaf ear to our screams of laughter. Someone asked him why he let us do this. His reply was 'laughter gets the adrenaline going, and they work twice as hard and fast when they finally get down to it'. It was true. OC

Crone, somebody was asking about telegrams from the Queen on another thread today. Surely you can help... how many years ago did you receive yours?

O C was once the ''grammer'' of Terwyn.

Paul DEAR I got MY telegram from the King. Work that out, smart a.... OC

OC, are you going to invite us all to share your moment of glory as you step from the launch onto the Turks & Caicos to reclaim your ancestral home?