Bielzibubz
President
When my mother sadly passed away in 2005 my sister and I got to thinking about our family history. At this point we realised we knew virtually nothing about my father, his family or that side of the family.
We knew where he grew up and that was it. My mother never talked about that side to the family and as far as we were concerned it was never discussed between them.
The research began in earnest with just a surname and nothing else and now 18 months later we have managed to trace 268 direct blood descendants and have been in contact with cousins we never knew existed still living in the area he grew up in
We have photo's dating back to 1840 of uncles and aunts. We now know that my 2nd great grandfather was one of the first timber merchants trading in the east end of London back in 1808 who subsequently went on to found one of the biggest timber merchants in the country (but sadly it was sold lock stock and barrel in the 1990's, so I'm still skint).
We have visited old homes where some of my descendents grew up. Paid our respects at graves of lost grandparents. Got copies of a book written about the family business. So much stuff.
Found out that one of the family was deported to America for 7 years in 1749 for highway robbery with violence by the Old Bailey in London and have since been in contact with American family members still living.
I've managed to get hold of the Ellis Island landing transcript of when he arrived and where he was sent afterwards.
Also got hold of the Old Bailey trial transcript detailing his testimony and witness statements etc.
Basically, what I'm saying is if anyone gets the chance or has the in-cling to research their family I strongly encourage them to do it. It really can be an eye opener for so many reasons.
Anyone else done this and got any stories to tell?
We knew where he grew up and that was it. My mother never talked about that side to the family and as far as we were concerned it was never discussed between them.
The research began in earnest with just a surname and nothing else and now 18 months later we have managed to trace 268 direct blood descendants and have been in contact with cousins we never knew existed still living in the area he grew up in
We have photo's dating back to 1840 of uncles and aunts. We now know that my 2nd great grandfather was one of the first timber merchants trading in the east end of London back in 1808 who subsequently went on to found one of the biggest timber merchants in the country (but sadly it was sold lock stock and barrel in the 1990's, so I'm still skint).
We have visited old homes where some of my descendents grew up. Paid our respects at graves of lost grandparents. Got copies of a book written about the family business. So much stuff.
Found out that one of the family was deported to America for 7 years in 1749 for highway robbery with violence by the Old Bailey in London and have since been in contact with American family members still living.
I've managed to get hold of the Ellis Island landing transcript of when he arrived and where he was sent afterwards.
Also got hold of the Old Bailey trial transcript detailing his testimony and witness statements etc.
Basically, what I'm saying is if anyone gets the chance or has the in-cling to research their family I strongly encourage them to do it. It really can be an eye opener for so many reasons.
Anyone else done this and got any stories to tell?
