Genealogy Chat

This thread has really made me think - perhaps I owe my ancestors an apology for screaming and shouting at them when I can't find them? I have been on ahem! six censuses (so far). That covers five counties, and two countries. I have never lived at the same address or even in the same county, on two successive censuses. I have given my birthplace as variously Blackley, Manchester, Lancashire and England, depending on how far away I was at the time.Anyone looking for my BC will be p*** off when they finally find out that I was born in Crumpsall (the old workhouse, actually). During my life I have lived at, I think, 32 different addresses. I went to seven different schools. At some point along the way, my father changed his first name from Edward to Graham. I have had three name changes. My first married name was as common as muck, but if they go on my location prior to my marriage they will assume I married in Scotland to a Scotsman. Totally wrong. My second marriage took place in yet another county, to someone who has a very common name in the area in which I lived previous to my second marriage. But not the county I married in and not the county that we moved to immediately after our marriage. That should keep them occupied for years. I have been variously, Student, Housewife, Accounts Manager, Library Assistant, Self employed and Self employed. I think also I lied about my age once or twice, having told hubby 2 that I was 3 years younger than I really am - it was our first date and I didnt imagine it would do any harm - oh, the strain of keeping it up for 15 years nearly killed me. Yup, I sincerely apologise to my ancestors, you were no worse than me and some of you were a lot better! Marjorie

But can you imagine trying to work out the relationships if everyone has got different surnames? See the senario a couple get married but wife keeps her own surname, child comes along and takes fathers surname. Couple divorce and new head of household arrives adding another surname, his child from first marriage or not as the case maybe with mothers surname. Then possibly third marriage/partnership or child/ren takes partner(s). More babies with different parentage. What about the grandparents/outlaws/other children being there on census night. The mind boggles!!