Genealogy Chat

i have been to a tarot reading and according to him i'm having so much trouble tracing my family tree because prior to living in essex they lived in kent, before that france and before that spain or morrocco AND they were gypseys AND they may have changed the family surname because they had been a bit naughty and wanted a fresh start!!! pity they couldn't have left an easier trail for me to follow.................... i give up!!!!!!

Many people who read tarot - simialrly to those who proffess to be able to tell fortunes - are extremely clever. A tarot reader will nearly always look for evidence of a wedding ring... if the wearer of the ring fiddles wit it a lot, this is probably because she is newly-married and is getting used to the 'feel' of the ring on her finger. Bitten nails denotes a person who very often is a 'worrier' but does not openly talk of worries. Style of clothes and condition of skin can say a lot about if you have been holidaying of late...Rubbing ones hands along your own thighs can mean you have a nervous disposition. Illnesses show very clearly in nail growth.... and names are a dead giveaway for where your ancestors have come from. Take the name LEE for instance... throughout history, the LEE's have changed the pronounciation and spelling of the name for reasons of fashion and loyalty.... when it was fashionable to be French and to be associated with the French, Lee often became 'De La Lea'. Smale is another name that has changed somewhat over the years... turning from Schmael to Smale when occassion needed. Other names are usually confined to a specific area - like the name Smale or Binham... definately a Devonshire name first and foremost, it seems. Not that I'm suggesting your tarot reader is a fake - but make sure that s/he has a decent reputation. If s/he is being truthful, then you've been lucky in finding out what may be a breakthrough in your research... good for you :) And before anyone suggests that I have problems with fortune tellers, or am being unfair... please note that I suggest SOME of these people are conmen and women... very few (I believe) are genuine.... but some of them truly do have a gift, and do appear to be totally genuine and honest.

i can honestly say nothing i said gave anything away, i was possibly his worst nightmare when it came to giving away any clues, all that came out of my mouth the whole time was yes or no and he only knew my 1st name. even if he is right so far as i know that is the end of my research down this line-how can you find gypseys who have changed their name? anyone know?

Mandy, no idea how to help trace but this fascinated me!! This man must be good if he knew you were tracing your tree without you telling him!! Try adding or taking away bits of your surnames that you are searching.... for instance my lot I knew as HEDGE but in the 1700's they were EDGE - H was added when they became factory owners probably to sound posher!! :O) Good luck with your search Diana

I have had a few psychic readings over the last few years. I always take it with a pinch of salt but..... Story 1 - I was told that I had a spirit guardian looking over me who was a nun in the Victorian times - She made the focus of her life's work looking after orphans and abandoned children. ( I was put up for adoption as a new born baby!) Story 2 - My family tree is Scottish - I disagreed with the person and said that I didn't have any Scottish background. (I then got home and my mum said that my birth mother and family were from Scotland (I had forgotten!!)) Story 3 - and this is the best bit! I will become interested in my family tree, and and spend time researching it. That was years ago, when I had absolutely no interest whatsoever!! (but did the reading lead me in this direction, or would I have come here anyway??!!!) Know this is off topic to the board, but had to respond! Liz

sorry i am a cynic, but saying that have never done it, and have no desire to do so. I cannot see really how this can help you with even semi- serious research- can i ask, was it an english sounding name you were researching at the time? Jess- quite happy to be shot down in flames

I used to read tarot cards, and you can't get that much detail from them. There's no way a tarot card can tell you where soemone's family used to live. So unless he is a psychic as well, I wouldn't worry too much about what he said.

I've never had a tarot reading and I don't believe in them - but if you're getting nowhere then why not? Unless you tell him/her what it is you're after, then the chances of him/her guessing that you want information about your gypsy heritage are unlikely, and you mightn't get anything anyway. And if you admit you don't know much about them, then your tarot reader can tell you absolutely anything. Why not just go along and see?