Genealogy Chat

Where do you start I ask myself!!!! I've either got a name but no date or a possible name with a date. Try to get my mum to give me info but then she goes off an a tangent and throws loads of names at me and I end up more confused than ever!!! Feels like looking for a needle in a haystack. Any advice welcome before I go totally wacky Thanks

Take notebook with a family group sheet when next speaking to her about it. Scribble down notes as she says it and sort it out afterwards. Each family group sheet has names of the couple and their parents too. Places to write dates and places of birth/death/marriages. Underneath is room for names bdm's of children and who they married. By doing this you can ascertain which children belong to who and hopefully where abouts in the family they belong. Even if you only get as far as parents and children it'll give you some idea especially with the extended family. If you are just doing the direct route then a family tree sheet would do ie child, parents, grandparents, great grandparents etc. After speaking to your mum sort out your notes and try and make sense of them IMMEDIATELY otherwise you'll forget and get in a muddle. When you think you've got it right show it to her and she'll be able to point out any errors. Talking to a man yesterday who was telling me about someone in the family had done the family tree - his mother looked at it and said - no that's not right they never married etc etc - eye opener for the family too though some never accepted it!!!!

Thanks for the hints about taking notes. I just hope my pen can go as quick as her mouth (ha ha)

And double check everything you are told - don't assume anything is true until you've seen it in black & white! Carole

I know from my experience that be careful with spelling of names as first names could be on the census then a middle name on another census, also surnames can be spelt diffrent, someone was telling me that one her ancestors was a servant and automatically was put down as the same birth place of where she worked so just bare in in mind if you can not find who you are looking for, it maybe one of these, notes are the best way, also I take copies of everything, I may have several folders but it does help me anyway, hope this maybe of help to you. Maxine

Beverly....instead of writing and trying to keep up with your mother, try using a video recorder or an audio recorder while interviewing your mother about your family. Ive' done this in the past when obtaining information from my Grandmother......She passed away in 1988. Not only was I able to go back over all the information (as many times as I wanted) when putting my tree together, I now have an invaluable keepsake for future generations. I burned the video and audio recordings to CD and passed them out at our last family reunion....it was a big hit! Judy

Judy's idea is excellent. Oh, how I wish I hadn't wiped a certain tape! My great aunt lived to 96 and I squandered all my opportunities. Don't ask your mother leading questions like "Your mother's name was Mary, wasn't it?" Why don't you try questions on subjects she might enjoy: what sweets she liked, where she went to school, who her friends were. You'll know best which topics to steer clear of! Lead her gently to names and remember that dates are bound to be vague. If you've got a large, clear photograph, you might ask her who the people are. Even the little scraps of information will help, even if she's got some things mixed up. Good luck Brenda

Thanks everyone for your tips. I really appreciate it and am raring to go Bev

Parents don't know it all anyway. I was chatting to my mum tonight (she's 80) and she said that she knew more about her dad now that I've done some research on him, than she did when he was around. [He told her a few untruths when she was younger - nothing bad, but just misleading]. I've always loved the story about the family researcher who was told that a relative "fell at waterloo" which he interpreted as having a war hero who fought alongside Wellington, but which he discovered meant that his uncle had tripped on an escalator at the railway station! nell