Genealogy Chat

That one goes as read. I always include stamped envelopes,with any addreesses required. It's quite funn,in the past if i didn't i used to get a written reply,when i do enclose them i get a telephone call. Some form of reason to it,never quite sure what it is. I think this approach as well as being slightly easier and cheaper (who shouted lazy skinflint?) is a little less 'intrusive'. I always feel likje i'm invading someones private life if i go direct to them via the electoral roll route,the first question is always 'How did you find me?' Glen

Make sure you include enough stamps and reply envelopes! You don't want them not to bother through lazyness!! Tip of the century! LOL Merry

Excellent idea Merry,i have done similiar in the past but never even thought of it this time. (sticks post it note on moniter 'Tip of the Century') Glen

That's what i thought. The reason for the question was to do with data protection and stuff,but i figured that they could pass the details on without having to reveal her details to me. I know the daughter married at least twice and it appears she is now back with the first hubby,but i have drawn a blank with the electoral roll search.There is a possible 3rd marriage but the cert route would get a bit silly money wise.Plus the second marriage was to Smith!! Glen

Hi Turnip pants, Thanks for your tips on FTM yesterday (Heather got the fivers & you just got turnips apparently!) I totally agree with Georgina, I don't think it can do any harm & in the end it will be up to your cousin (the daughter) if she replies or not. Go for it & good luck! Sarah :-) Great idea of Merry's - sending the letter back if they don't want contact - she's a clever bunny isn't she!!

I can't think of a reason why they would not pass on your letter. Maybe if you also said, if they are not willing to pass it on, then would they please return the letter to you instead, then they couldn't really just file the item (or bin it!) in case you made a fuss about it later. Also if they only have a choice between doing what you ask, or the opposite, then it would be easier for them to do as you ask, particularly as it would involve no more effort on their part than sending the letter back. It's all to do with psychology! I have sent numerous letters to distant family who would never have heard of me (but not in your circumstances) and have always had a proper reply since I began using the ''and if you would prefer not to answer this letter, then please would you return it to me, so I know it has reached you, and I will not trouble you again..... etc''. (Oh, and say the same in the letter to the daughter as well) Before I started saying that, in about 50% of occassions I heard nothing at all! Good Luck Merry

Hi Glen, I dont think it can do any harm, if you explaine to the daughter that you are researching the family history and enclose your address & phone number then it will be up to her if she chooses to reply. If you dont do it and her father passes away you may lose contact altogether with the family. Good luck. Georgina.

As many of you know i'm researching my birth family. Mother was the youngest of 6,now all deceased. From what i can gather mum and her siblings all went separate ways. I have found a marriage for an aunt and her hubby is still alive and in a care home. He knows nothing of me,is well in his nineties and maybe has some form of Parkinsons or similiar. I have a birth for a daughter. If i were to contact the care home by letter,and enclose a letter for the daughter doyou think they would pass it on? I would like to know a little more about my aunts and uncles but each 'family' is a group independant of the others. Glen

See below,i'll be back as quick as i can type