Genealogy Chat

Who else has had as much luck as me in finding original docs about their ancestors dating back to mid 1800's? The things I have found so far are:- my gg grandfathers military log book dated back as far as 1866 boxes & boxes of photographs Letters from Africa newspaper cuttings by the bucket load (includes obiituries) receipts for graves references for my g grandfather when he was seeking work passports for my g grandfather & g grandmother original birth/marriage/death certs an ivory bracelet sent home from Africa during WW1 in a coffee tin my g grandfathers leather wallet from Africa medical documents Pension documents & last but not least documentation showing my g grandfather wanted to apply for permant residency in Africa something we knew nothing about The biggest hurdle for me is scanning all important docs then storing them correctly.... have to be quick know there is more stuff on its way from other side of family .....

Thats more than lucky! I bet you are performing cartwheels as we speak! Have fun !

Ang I was .... until I realised theres more to come don't know where I'm going to put it all now I've been designated custodian of all family docs!!

How did you obtain all of that information??

Tina Unfortunatly my gran died last year, we have at last after constant nagging from my grandad who wnats to move to a smaller property started to clear out.... everthing from my g grans house when she died was bungged up into the loft, my gran also never threw anything away so we are gradually finding more & more stuff!

Hi Clare, Sorry to hear the reason you are finding the information, why don't they just tell us when they are still here! I lost my Dad last year, my Mum has recently gone into a nursing home so I'm left being responsible for the house, having found a leak in the ceiling I opened a cupboard and found a bible left to my Grandad given to him in 1910 for good service. It leaves no clues as to who gave it to him, but at least I now know he went to Canada after 1910 which I didn't know, my Dad thought it was earlier, and have also found a picture of the farm around the time he worked at, on the web. Kind regards Amanda

Fantastic Amanda isn't it exciting when you find something a book, photo or document which tells you something you didn't know before. I found a document where my g grandad had been seeking permant residence in Africa in 1954 something which neither my grandad or my mum could ever remeber hearing about, unfortunatly he became ill & had to come home. Talking about we believe he would of stayed out there & left his family home here, it was a common occurnace in those days, I think he may of even had a family over there 2 but daren't tell anyone my suspicions quite yet!!

How fabulous, Clare. It makes all the names and dates come to life. You must be so thrilled. I very nearly made a big boob when I was clearing out my mum's house. A family photo album from 1917 very nearly got sent for house clearance with some old books. Glad I rescued it just in time!!

Hi Clare, The hardest things for me are finding photo's and I have no idea who they are, is it my Dad or Grandad in them as a child? I will never know. Haven't even been in the loft yet, there is supposed to be a trunk which my Grandad brought back with him in 1937 to the UK. I'll be back to you for advice when I have opened it!!! Amanda x