General Chat

I was sitting at my computer scrolling through the various threads when the thought came to me to try to write an imaginary story of "a day in the life of" some of my ancestors. Now as they have not written any, it would be my imagary of the way they lived, the work they did, some info about the state of the world when they were alive.
Has anyone else done this and if so would you be willing to share some ideas or even critique items.??

I await with baited breath

Bridget

what a wonderful idea Bridget,

Do you think that genealogists today should write about themselves and their views on issues in the world today....to add to that collection?


Great idea Bridget :)

Well, Bridget, you set me thinking!
A lot of my ancestors were ag labs - as was I, 30 years ago!
I've just spent over a hour exploring the area where I lived & worked on Google maps!!!
Agriculture changed rapidly from the 1840's, with some of my ag labs becoming agricultural fitters. Even between the 1980's and now there have been changes.
Where I worked (Blackmore End, Essex), in the 1980's the estate was then owned by Julien Courtlaud. There were no hedges- the removal of hedges in the 1960's was popular so more crops could be planted.
I notice that now there are trees & hedges everywhere - the result of government grants for agri-environmental schemes I suppose. They also used to burn stubble in the '80's - now no longer allowed. I know that the tied agricultural cottages we lived in were sold to private buyers - our last cottage was sold to an architect!

It's a brilliant idea - but I've now wasted over an hour of the day - and I had sooo much to do!!! LOL

I have already decided on my subject ...need to think about it and then find the time :)

I find at the moment I am too tired to do this, though at one time it would have been just my cup of tea. This has happened only over the past year, so I urge yo all not to go on thinking you will do something one day, do it now while you have the energy.

Well many thanks everyone who has replied.
I am going away for a few days from Tuesday as It is OHs birthday on 25th and if I stay locally I will only get called into work so we are hiding!!

However I am going to give this a try as soon as I get back and when I go back home I will concentrate for a few months just to see what the result is.
If you decide to give it a go please share with us

Bridget
Secret Red Yes I think that it is imprtant to do this and then those in the future will have actual knowledge.

Maggie in Winchester.I know Essex very well, grand parents lived in Fingrinhoe, as did an uncle and an aunt. We lived in many places including Wanstead, Buckhurst Hill, and Abridge.
MOL nos 1 lived in
Hullbridge as did No.2
I Worked in Colchester and I knpw the area you mention.

Jean you have given us all some very sound advice

Bye for now everyone I have a medicine audit to do before 5PM!! only for 20 people!!

Bridget

Sounds a great idea Bridget.

Incidentally we lived in Great Baddow Essex from 1968 to 1973.

I write biographies for my ancestors.

I write a little plan before I start with important dates in their lifeline,for example B.M.Ds, historical events, what technology did they work with and was introduced. Also I think about the impact events would have on their lives.

I write mine in the way that I found out the info about them - that way I can include the supposition about the conclusions I've made as well. I think I'd find it hard to write it from their point of view ... Good idea though and good luck with it. Do come back and share it on here.

Jill

To everyone who has responded,Thank You.
I am going to start this in the next few weeks,I am away from tomorrow until next Monday,In fact I will draw up a draft when I am back and post it on here so i can have some feed back.
Tony and Mrs Grumpy is there anything that you have written that you would be willing to share with this thread??/
Well I am going back to bed soon,I woke with a terrible headache,I thought I might be having a migraine...haven't had one for a very long time but thankfully the paracetamol are working

Bridget

i have a few ideas from my own work... quite happy to mail you some and critique if you wish Bridget

xx

good morning everyone and I hope you all have a great day. we are now in Norfolk and I have had the longest sleep for a considerable time and feeling so much livlier for it.

I remembered as I made my first cup of tea for the day, that some of my ford family moved to Norwich so I am going to trawl through the fords and see if I can find him and then try to see if his abode is still there!

I will let you all know the result.


Bridget

Happy hunting Bridget

Just a quick note to say that I have not forgotten this but have had to spend most of my time with help from OH getting our house in order. I am enjoying retirement.

Today oh bought me a very nice new book case where I can store all my ancestry work. I am so thrilled. Will be back on this thread tomorrow

B

Bridget, you belong to the writing group, why not write it as a piece for that?

Seconding Ann :))

Bridget, my gt grandfather was interviewed for an article in the newspaper about 1929, when he was in his 70's, it gave a good idea of a 'day in the life' of a Lighterman, and I have some writing of my mums about her childhood and the war years.

I think it's a good idea to do and also your own 'day in the life' for your ancestors :)

I don't know whether this might be too obscure from your original idea but I searched the newspapers to see if any of my ancestors were in the news at anytime. I found a great great grandmother as a witness for the prosecution when a neighbour had blocked off the the local waterway. The newspaper reported her exact words which allowed me to make a genuine story of her life -just for that day-It gave me an insight into her life as a poor widow, with young children, her living accommodation and some of the genuine hardships which she suffered in the 1850's. - jl

I am writing my own life story for my grandchildren including silly things like the horrible bacon pudding my Mum used to make and the colours of school uniform etc. But now I think I will try to do one for an ancestor as you all seemed to have some good ides.

Phyll

After many years of putting it of, i have just posted mine to a publishers, here's waiting !!!!!!!