Genealogy Chat

Evening, I know exactly what you mean, even though makes it a little sadder too. So far I have only got the certificates of my ancestors. I am desperate to find out more about them and their lives. Actually, that is a slight fib, I do have the hospital report from when my g grandfather died relatively young.

Hi there. Last night, I received an email from a newly-found cousin and bless him, he'd sent me copies of invoices and bills regarding the funerals of my Great-Great Grandmother, and my Great-Aunt. I'd never seen one before! Gt-Gt-Gran died in 1872 aged 31, and Gt Aunt died in 1931 aged 64. It made fascinating reading, although very sad, and of course it made two of my ancestors all the more real, if you know what I mean. Thanks, Alan! :-))

Hi Glenys , had to reply to this thread . I was sent a copy of a handwritten letter by my GG Grandfather written in 1886. He wasn,t rich or very well educated but it means the absolute world to me .To see his signature wow , and he sighns off ' Your most humble servant' . Kim xx

I received a Menu from the White Star line in 1928 when my relative emigrated to Canada to be with her husband, A message written in her own hand and sending love and kisses to her young nephew made me cry as she never came home, Joan The menu wasn't what I expected and hope I don't get that on my cruise next month x x x

Hi Karen, Kim and Joan, you each have a poignant tale about some of your flesh and blood. I can understand how much each of those mean to you all. I must confess to shedding a tear or two when I managed to find a copy of the marriage cert regarding a Great-Aunt's wedding, in Canada. My Nan (her sister) had told my Mum that Belinda emigrated to Canada at some time, but as the siblings had lost touch with eachother, Nan didn't know when. I never knew Belinda, neither did my Mum, but I saw her signature there on the screen, and her handwriting was so much like my Nan's. Again, it made it all the more real! :-) x

I think the best thing you can find is a court case where you actually hear the words your ancestor is saying to the court - its mind blowing. I just found another one in 1812 in London where one of my ancestors has had a sheet stolen by a man who asked for lodgings - its fantastic. She talks about her husband and the house and what the chap said and how she chased him and this is 200 years ago!

The saddest discovery I made was my gt grandmother who was supposed to have died when my grandad was 2 yrs. He was put in a home and didn't see her again. She was commited to an Asylum 10 yrs later and died 2 yrs after that. I found photos of the Asylum dated 1925 which was the time she would have been in there. I couldn't stop staring at the photo knowing that it was taken while she was actually in there. I found out that she was buried in the Asylum grounds and saddest of all was that during the 1960s the burial ground was sold for housing and all those buried were sent for cremation. I do not know where or exactly when.

My Grandfather was able to liberate most of the family papers,photos from his parents/Grandparents. These photos are not named in the main & with every generation having a Christina & a Catherine who is who is a puzzle.However it amazes me to see the resemblances between the generations. My great-niece is the image of my GGreat-Aunt's daughter.I am the spit of my Dad's cousin despite the fact that she is at least fifty years older than me-me in a flapper dress. My most precious possessions are the 1824 Marriage Proclomations between David Taylor & Cristina Robertson my GGGGreat-grandparents.The funerals bills for my GGreat-Grandparents Andrew Young & Ann Taylor(daughter of the above)they died in 1905& 1906.Her's had the price of the gravedigging deducted from the bill as Andrew was a grave digger/gardener & did it himself.The letter from Christina Lindley in Phippen Sask. congratulating my Grandparents on their marriage & declaring her deep love for her 'Hugh' after 25 years of married life.My Grandfather was lamost fifty when he married. The pewter jug won by my GGreatGrandfather/GGreat Uncle(both John Scott) for his prowess at Rifle Shooting in the Roslin Rifles Volunteers.It bears the scars from the Clydebank Blitz but it like all of my family survived it despite the almost total destruction of the town. I have letters from my uncle in Canada & my Aunt in USA.Lots of family history in them from the death of my baby cousin to the service of another in the Gulf.Precious & I hope treasured by future generations.