General Chat

Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

Welcome to the Genes Reunited community boards!

  • The Genes Reunited community is made up of millions of people with similar interests. Discover your family history and make life long friends along the way.
  • You will find a close knit but welcoming group of keen genealogists all prepared to offer advice and help to new members.
  • And it's not all serious business. The boards are often a place to relax and be entertained by all kinds of subjects.
  • The Genes community will go out of their way to help you, so don’t be shy about asking for help.

Quick Search

Single word search

Icons

  • New posts
  • No new posts
  • Thread closed
  • Stickied, new posts
  • Stickied, no new posts

To send or not to send?

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Kate

Kate Report 7 Apr 2004 12:17

I'm sure I've seen threads like this before, but would like some advice. I've got a couple of addresses for possible relatives, and I'm wondering whether to write to them or not. If they are related, I don't want to offend anybody by bringing up 'family history' that they might not want to be reminded about. Any advice/reassurance would be greatly received. May thanks, Kate.

Devon Dweller

Devon Dweller Report 7 Apr 2004 12:36

Kate, Ive uncovered allsorts and have had masses of problems with living rellies but you have to give it a go. The ones who dont want to know just dont reply. I decided that a letter was better than a phone call because I had time to think about things...ie tread carefully. Best of luck. I've had some wonderful results Sheila

Rick

Rick Report 7 Apr 2004 12:59

Hi Kate, I've got hold of a few phone numbers of elderly relatives recently & phoned them out of the blue. I come from a very large family and we had never spoken or met before, but they were all delighted that someone was trying to keep the family history alive. It was nice to hear their stories and brought home how much knowledge has been lost recently when we lost my father, two grandparents and a great aunt all in a few short years. My mum keeps on saying that we wished she had thought of asking her grandmother about her background while she was still alive. We know very little about her apart from a few wild stories and now there's nobody left to ask. Don't hesitate - go for it ! You have more to lose by not taking the risk. Good luck, Rick.

Louise

Louise Report 7 Apr 2004 13:04

Have to agree with Rick on that. Too easy to let time pass. I've lost so much access to information through family members passing on. I recently managed to get back in touch with a cousin thanks to someone on here doing an electoral search for me and I'm so glad I did now. Go ahead and write... they don't have to respond if they don't want to but not only does it give you time to plan what you want to say, it gives them time to consider whether to reply without feeling pressured by a phone call. Best of luck!! Lou

Kate

Kate Report 7 Apr 2004 13:45

Dear Sheila, George, Rick, Lou and Lesley, Many thanks for all your advice and encouragement. Kind Regards, Kate