Genealogy Chat

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My 15 year old daughter has to do History Coursework through the holidays about the Welsh Coalmines. Off we went to the Library to get the reference books the teacher suggested using. I was reading through one of them last night, and they was a short article and picture of a little boy called Joseph Keating, who was 12 years old in 1883 and told about his first day working down the pit in Mountain Ash. Why oh why, do I now know all about Joseph's parents, his brothers and sisters, exactly where they lived, I've followed little Joseph right through to 1901, where he had moved from Mountain Ash and escaped working in the pit. When I proudly told my daughter all about Joseph this morning, she just replied 'you're so sad' I've got enough to do, figuring out my own family. But I just had this compelling urge to find out all about this little boy. Think I might need help lol Sarah

Type it all up and let her take it in to school. Bet her teacher will be impressed. See how sad she thinks you are after the teacher praises 'her' research Beth :)

You are moving through part of the more advanced addiction stage.......read any historical newspaper article and you will be searching the census to see if you can find the persons family........ watch a TV program - you will be off again.......visit a war memorial and you will be there looking for all those soldiers as boys with their families in 1901, not knowing what the future will hold........ At this point your dau will be off to the nearest medical supplies shop for a straightjacket for you........watch out if she asks how long your arms are.........! Sarah

Hi Sarah I had a similar experience a couple of summers ago. My youngest was bored during the holidays, so I suggested we take a walk round our local cemetery and note down some names we could look up on the 1881 census. I thought it would be interesting for her to discover a bit more about these people and their families, and it certainly passed an afternoon away. Then I got to thinking that this information could be useful to others. So I spent the rest of the day searching this site and a couple of others to see if anyone was researching these people. I did find a few and duly emailed them with what I had found. Even ended up sending some photos to Canada! lol Jeanette x

They are now pulling down what was out 'workhouse'. saw on the building 'built 1891' had to look and see who was there in 1901 when it was bright new and shiny! Jess

Yes, we all do it - we're all very 'sad' but don't you just find that what is REALLY 'sad' is that when you go of on a tangent looking for people and places that have no connection with you - THEY ARE SO MUCH EASIER TO FIND !!! Dea x

Dea - That's true, but it's probably because it wouldn't be the end of the world if you ''found'' the wrong person when browsing, whereas if you have the wrong person on your tree you might spend a fortune in time and money researching the wrong family!! Sarah

But losing the plot is FUN!!! I sometimes follow up other folks' puzzles when mine are being awkward. If I didn't I should have missed the most wonderful find... The popular barmaid, Rosie TROLLOPE whose parents were Hugh TROLLOP and Julia LUSTY. When I told my husband about it, he remarked that they should have hyphenated their names. The idea does appeal... like someone out of Dickens... Rosie Lusty-Trollope, the popular barmaid! Christine PS Really... I haven't made these names up!