Genealogy Chat

Jean It would still do no harm to try contacting them, I met an unhelpful 'brother' but you might not. Jacquie

Said last night that I wasn't going to log on today. Well have had to give in! Lots of interesting additions to my thread, Both my Jones and Smiths all seem to have married Mary Ann's. Jacquie I was sorry to read your post re the freemasons, finding that would really help me but he was one of the Jones's and lived in London, my Grandfather.I didn't know him, he died whenI was a baby but remember seeing his photograph in his robes when he was grandmaster or something. Was interested in the notes about trees. Some of my 'contacts' are people who have kindlyanswered my queries direct. Should I remove their names do you think? There seems to be more questions than answers on GR. Cheers Jean

I sympathise with you all. I am trying to find the marriage, then ultimately the birth, of my mother-in-laws father, Thomas Henry EVANS. I have the birth and various census details of his wife (my grandmother-in-law) Ellen WILLIAMS, but can I find a listing for their marriage around 1910 ish? I have trolled through pages and pages on 1837, but still nothing. M-i-L doesn't know where her father was born, but doesn't think it was Wales (hurrah, with a name like Evans,) doesn't remember his birthday, never knew her paternal Grandparents etc etc. An aunt has his death certificate, but I can't find out any details. I think the next step is to find and order his death certificate and hope it shows his date of birth. At least that may give me some clues! Roll on the release of the 1911 census! Sue

I have the pleasure of Jones's in Wales. And if you're a real masochist, try looking for John Jones's in Wales - there seems to be one in every family! Strangely, I'm also doing James's too. As for Gale, it is the free (backdoor) access to Ancestry. The website and password for this appear in a number of threads on here. Jonathan

Hi Jean can sympathise i am also looking for Jones,s on my side and James,s on my hubbys side. Good luck hope you eventually find the right ones. Cherry

Sounds like its time to roll your trouser legs up and start giving dodgy handshakes! You have no idea what an unusual name means. Bet none of your lot got mistranscribed as Longville. Some of my Macarees were transcribed as Marsee. I could go on. Bet you don't have to spell your name out fifteen times a day for people either:-)

Jean I didn't get anywhere with the masons, I was after my Gt Grandfather and his brother. I think you'd have to be a mason youself to get any favours done!! I think I'll have to sign myself as Chief of the Tabernacle or Sovereign Grand Inspector General and they may help! Jacquie

Hi Jaquie, I'm after a freemason as well, are they not helpful? I haven't tried yet. It is very frustrating. None of my ancestors lived near where I am and it isn't easy for me to travel around the country. I was hoping to find a relative who might have the missing one with them on census night. I'm giving up on that one as I know she was alive, can't spend any more time wondering where she was on census night. Going to stop now, tomorrow's another day! Am going to try not to switch on tomorrow AT ALL! Who am I kidding. lol Jean

Oh, me as well! Believe me, there are nearly 8000 James Holdens too - all from the same small area of Lancashire, all black-tongued liars and all marrying a woman called Ellen (that's when they bothered marrying, of course). And I wouldn't mind all the docs being laid out neatly for me to see either, having spent what must now amount to years of my life looking at faded/burnt/illegible records.

Yes please!! All those cups of tea and scones in complete strangers houses. Also they way the records are presented to the person- most places you contact to find information ignore your request (freemasons and clergy) among them!! Knowing my luck they'd just research my local branch for and send me on a two mile trip (wow)! Jacquie

I have just scrolled through over 4,000 Thomas Smiths to find the right one. This was on the Gale site and I know I haven't paid but it has taken me all evening with breaks now and then to rest my eyes. (They are now monitor shaped) Last week I went through 8,000 Margaret Jones and still didn't find her. If I am reincarnated I will make sure the ancestors have rather less common names!!! Do you think the BBC would like to do my family history? I could do with being transported round the country as if by magic. Anyone else want to go on the waiting list? :-))) Jean