This website makes me miss my family....

Kathykins · Post by **Kathykins** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:25 pm

Actually, the whole researching-the-family-tree thing has left me feeling a little bereft.

My grandma, who was the only one of my scottish relatives I ever actually knew, died when I was sixteen. She was born and raised in Coupar Angus, Perthshire, and moved to Manchester in the 1930s. She had the most beautiful voice, very gentle and soft, but she also had a tendency towards the neurotic, which seems to be genetic.

I've heard lots of stories about her relatives, and my grandfather's family too (well, half of them, but that's another tale). Like my Uncle, Willie Scott, who could swear twenty-seven times without repeating himself, and who once declared "the curse of almighty god rest upon every sassanach b*stard who eats raspberry jam for his breakfast." And my great-grandfather, Harry Cobb, who was so popular and well-liked that the entire population of Coupar Angus turned out to his funeral - I have a photo of it.

It's just the more I find out, the more I wish I'd known them.

Post by **emanday** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:48 pm

I can sympathise, Kathykins,

Although I knew most of my Scottish family who were still around when I was born, and knew most of the family tales, many of which were true, but many others were either myths or downright lies

, my research has left me wishing I'd had the chance to meet some of the "lang deid yins".

When your research turns up something, especially tragic circumstances, you can't help wondering - what went through their minds? How did they cope?

Of all of them there is one I'd particularly have loved to have met. My father's mother who died of TB when he was only 3 years old. She was always described as a sweet-natured and gentle woman and, according to the family, I am her image (well in looks at least

). The only photograph of her certainly bears that up.

Rockford · Post by **Rockford** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:15 pm

Hi Kathykins,

Like Mary, I fully appreciate how you feel.

I was lucky enough to know all of my grandparents and even one of my great grandads - Granpaw - who died aged 94 when I was ten years old. I can remember him chasing us out of his house with a sword he won in the Boer War - Actually it was a letter opener and he was only 11 when the fighting started!! I have been close to all of my grandparents and enjoyed in their reminiscences and stories, I suppose that's what got me hooked!

Now some of the older members of the family have gone, the fact that I'm still interested in what they all got up to means that, whenever my family are together, as they know that I am interested in the family's history, we quite often have discussions about the latest bit of information I've found, which sparks off a load of other stories and photos are hunted down and brought out - my grandmother keeps passing envelopes of old photos to my mum - from photos of her brothers in their Army, Navy and RAF uniforms to wedding and christening pictures for people I only knew until that point as names on a birth register. I've also been fortunate to make contact with a second cousin on both sides of the family [once of whom my Dad last met in 1956!] - I've been privileged to share in their memories and have been able to put together photographs of 6 of my eight great grandparents and photos of two of my great, great grandmothers, born in 1854 and 1862!

I think what I'm trying to say (although I'm conscious that I may be rambling a bit!) is that although it can be no match for meeting the people themselves and, like you, I would love to be able to spend time with my ancestors - being involved in researching your family does make you feel more connected to your family and to remember the stories and the 'characters' that have gone before. Some of the stories I've been told and the photgraphs I've seen would never have come out if I hadn't been doing the 'research'.

Sites like this are good, too for sharing the frustrations and feelings sparked by your finds!

Best wishes

Brian

Post by **joette** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:20 pm

My Father's Father was almost fifty when my Dad was born & died when my Dad was 14.He came from Penicuik my Dad born & raised in Dalmuir as was I myself.
We had no contact with the Scotts & in fact knew not a lot about them despite having family papers,photos,letters etc.Then I found my Dad's 2nd cousin-grandson of Grandpa's younger brother who also served in WW1 but did not survive. My cousin was born & raised in Penicuik & is also keen on the family history lark.He was able to dispell a few myths & fill in a few blanks & was equally delighted when I managed to track down a descendant of our Grandfather/Great-Grandfather's sister in Canada.
He shared in the hunt but I was the finder.We were able to fill in the blanks of Christina Lindley nee Scott life including the fact that she outlived her siblings.Life on the homestead must have toughened up the heart which was the weakness in the Scott line.
I just wish that my Dad had kept in touch with his family but I guess life got in the way.

Post by **emanday** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:41 pm

Rockford wrote:being involved in researching your family does make you feel more connected to your family

That is so true! What used to be just a name mentioned in conversation or an old photograph suddenly becomes an actual PERSON. Between birth, marriage and death certificates and censuses, we discover where many of them lived at different points in their lives.

That is the kind of stuff that gets us hooked

Rockford · Post by **Rockford** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:58 pm

Mary,

Never mind the census records - I've panicked my wife on several occasions by veering the car to the side of the road to get out and take pictures of road and street signs!

Best wishes

Brian

Post by **emanday** » Mon Sep 03, 2007 6:59 pm