Genealogy Chat

See below in a mo........

I wish I had my fag rolling machine while we are waiting.

Actually, Jess could have rolled and posted me one by now.

Yesterday I had a message on here, ''My friend thinks the Harold Fletcher Smith b 1897 on your tree is her uncle.......she doesn't have a computer, maybe you could 'phone her???'' So I phoned and indeed, the uncle is on my tree and the lady who I phoned is my third cousin, once removed. The lady is interested in her tree (but has never done research) and has a bundle of notes her mother made some decades ago and photos etc. I have a few bits and pieces about her line too and can tell her some stories about her ancestors going back as far as 1650 (should she want to know all that!!!) But the amazing thing is this...................................... The lady's grandfather was Frederick William Smith b 1865. His auntie was my 2xgreat-grandmother. She was the bigest horder in the world and lots of bits and bobs have come my way..........So I have been looking through my box of (antique) ''tricks'' looking for things that might interest this lady. .......... I have looked at all these items many times before and thought I would have remembered EVERYTHING that was there.......... BUT......... From an envelope slipped a tiny piece of paper, about one inch by two. It is cut into an oval with those pinking scissors that make the edges zig-zagged. Stitched to the middle with fine sewing thread is a tiny lock of very fine dark brown hair...........written above in mouselike writing it says, ''Frederick William Smith, Feby 21/65'' So WOW......I have a lock of her grandfathers baby hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never seen it before. What do you think of that?????? Merry xx (Mrs Excited, or what???!!!!)

LOL Heather!! M x

Sorry, I was just opening the door for a special delivery from Jess - did I miss anything?

Oh gawd Merry - that is BRILLIANT. If only I could find something like that. When I was sorting out my dads stuff I did find a little anchor shaped lock and my mum had tied a tag on it that said 'My fathers kit bag lock'. That was brilliant in itself, knowing he had used that every day during and before the first world war - but actually a lock of hair. Thats wonderful.

Trouble is.....I suppose I want to keep it!!!! I will scan and send with the other stuff and see how she reacts......If she really wants it I will give it to her........If she just says, ''how nice'' I will keep it........am I being mean??? I have come across a lot of people who are all enthusiastic, but it can be sooooooo shortlived! Merry

Ill send you a lock of Ralphies hair - perhaps shes so old she wont notice its different! I think there is a good chance that she will want you to keep the stuff anyway as she will see that you have put so much into it all that you would be the right person to look after it.

oooh you say the nicest things!! I would also treasure a lock of Ralphie's hair too!!! Merry x

Nudge so others can be jealous!! Merry

At least youre honest!