General Chat

i am educating myself! how true! thankyou tony!

My son thinks I'm A GEEK but, everyone else thinks it interesting. Deanna

If you enjoy it Alison, then thats what matters the most. I started around the same age as yourself 21-22. That was 35 years ago, and i still enjoy it. I get comments like, O'h he cant come to the phone, he's busy playing with his dead. I just laugh,and keep enjoying myself. I surpose i could just sit and watch Tele, re-runs after re-runs, but the knowledge i have gained through Family research is marvelous. e.g:Geography, History, Religion, Culture, just to name a few. These are the things i failed at school. So as well as my Family History research, i am also being educated along the way. Tony Oz

Alison If you Google... Costume and Fashion History ... you might find something near you.

PS I love "treading in the footsteps" of my ancestors and their family ... have walked along roads, looking at houses and taking photos of them. People have asked can I help you? and I tell them what I am doing. Always (so far anyway) people have been interested and helpful. Joy

i love the fashion, is there museums with just clothes anywhere?

I can't say I have ever noticed anyone's reaction! I must be so wrapped up my own enthusiasm that I have never seen their eyes glaze over, or their uncomfortable shuffling and hasty excuses!!! Their loss! Abigail

I agree entirely, Sandra. What I find fascinating is how they lived, the social history, what the houses were like, the education system, religion, the roads, the trains, the clothes, all that sort of thing. I don't even think of it as my family tree. I think of it as my ancestral family research. The number of years doesn't matter to me. Dates alone mean little to me. It's all the added on information. :) Joy

I get a blank reaction - like ya so daaaa. I have had a few people that are interested, but think that if they delve into the internet the information comes up in front of them like a ready made family tree. It's when they realise that it takes a lot of searching, time oh and money, they can't be bothered and the blank look comes back - the same look they give when sitting infront of the screen playing games - Mmmm very stimulating I must say. Lin

sandra, im the same, love the stories and history. i have a relly who had her first child at 12! its just so great, i wish my grandparents on my dads side where still here as i would love to hear all there stories sadly they have been gone for as many years as i knew then. i was 9 and 11 when they passed! i miss them!

oh well not just me then!

A few, yes, but, more recently, generally speaking the response has been something like oh yes I am too, and guess what ..... etc !!! Happy hunting! :) Joy

Hi Alison I'm glad its not just me! I am 28 and people look at me like I've got two heads when I tell them this is my hobby. Some people seem to think that I am just a nosey person when they find out. I tend not to tell people now because its easier! Maybe we need a support group for this. Lynne

I have never experienced a negative reaction from anyone.In fact I am doing one side of the family and my sister is doing the other side,I have done a one name study. I don't feel like an anorak at all.I think it is brilliant to fnd out about our forefathers and mothers and understand something of their lives.- We have found the churches where they were married,baptised and we have found their tombs.I have also found the premises where my Gt Grf 5x had his tailoring business and further down the road the house where he died. I have found the road where my 4x gt Aunt was knocked down by a cart and died of her injuries. I know that he family made rope for rigging and sails for ships.They carved wooden shoes in the evening to bring in extra money.All of this has made them real people Rose

I don't think I've ever had any funny looks but I suppose because of this possible reaction, I've only told people who I think may be interested, and I haven't caught them yawning or looking at their watch. Still, I don't have any major anecdotes from discoveries I have made, that would wow someone, if asked why do I do family history.

family are okay with it until I find something which is a family secret.... Skellies are coming out... Alan has slowly become interested by what i discover and now wants to do his side. (I've just got to find the starting place and let him think he's found it!) Jess

Take no notice I'm more than three times your age and am doing it. My wife thinks I'm nutty. But you never know who you will meet in the next world and you need to be ready for the big meet.!! Rupert Bear.

I've had the immediate response "well I choose to concentrate on the living", as if I don't! Now where did I put that anorak? Daisy

Oh yes sweetheart.... they think you'll be buying an anorak soon!! :O)

when i tell epople that i'm researching my family tree why do they look at me like i'm a trainspotter (no offence)! i'm 22 and have a life, i'm just interested in my family history! has anyone else had the same?