Genealogy Chat

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About a year ago I went to visit one of the farms ‘my lot’ lived in from 1871- 1891 (before moving to the farm next door). I knocked on the door of the farmhouse and introduced myself, explaining why I was there, and could I possibly take some pictures? (the farm is very remote and there was no way I could disguise the fact that a) I was on their land and b) I was taking photos) The lady inside was very nice and welcomed me, saying they’d had some Americans looking around previously because their ancestors had also lived there at some point. I was allowed to take photos and, because it’s only an hour away from where I live now, asked if I may return at some time in the future with my mum and aunty (whom I knew were interested) – this was all agreed and as I was leaving she even kindly gave me a photo of the farm in previous times. Over the last 12 months we’ve had contact because I copied the photo she’d kindly given me and returned the original to her in case any other nutter (sorry, genealogist) went looking for their forebear’s home-place. I also did some research on her family for her. She in turn has gone round graveyards looking for graves for me (unfortunately not there even though we know they died there). Today she has gone the extra mile. I received through the post another photo. This time dated c 1890 of 2 of my great great uncles. A great great aunt and 2 great uncles. She also told me of a local story involving one of the great great uncles who is supposed to have tried to commit murder (unsuccessfully thankfully!!) and then promptly drowned himself in remorse. We are now having a sleuthing game of our own tracking down any newspaper articles relating to said story. The moral of this is, if you are lucky enough to have relatives who lived in a small village/community and you can make contact with the locals, there’s a lot more information that may be hiding away that you may never know about unless you knock on that door!!!!! Although the lady concerned doesn’t even have a computer I would like to publicly thank her – so, THANK YOU GRACE!! And you lot get knocking!!!! Snowdrops

fantastic news. how very kind of that lady to go the extra extra mile for you. i bet you are thrilled. so well done snowdrop enjoy the rest of your day x x x x

Restores your faith in human nature doesn't it snowdrops, thanks for sharing that story with us x

Yes, it was really lovely of her - but to add to all that I've also got a new friend!! Snowdrops

My brother tried to do exactly that - he approached the remote farmhouse where our ancestors lived for nearly 500 years and knocked on the door. The owner set the dogs on him. OC

LOL OC - maybe if you tried instead, you could smack the dogs with your broomstick if they got too close! Welldone Snowdrop......was this the farm where you posted asking what you should do about visiting (ages ago)? Merry

Wow, Snowdrops - what a wonderful story!! Aren't we having some really inspiring tales recently? I bet you were over the moon to see those photos! Did she say how she came by them?

Because I am far cleverer than my brother, I would have phoned them first! OC

Oh OC, that's sod's law isn't it? - Maybe we shouldn't all go knocking in that case! Merry, I don't remember putting another posting up about that! My memories obviously failing (along with all the other bits - lol) I shall have to check my threads. That particular branch lived in 5 remote farmhouses in all and I've been lucky enough to find all of them (along with the photos of course!!) bar one which no longer exists, so I have been incredibly lucky in that respect. Snowdrops

Great story Snowdrop with a lovely ending ........Some people have all the luck Norah

What a wonderful thing to have. A photograph is worth 1,000 words. I find a photograph of people who lived so long ago absolutely fascinating and can't believe that I am looking at exactly how they really were. Well done on getting such a brilliant result.