Genealogy Chat

Hi Think I may have found my fathers mother. Its been a while since i was last on here but some of you may remember i was trying to figure out if my father had been adopted or fostered. Well it turns out he was fostered, I managed to find a possible address for his mother. I know that over the years he and his biological parents have been in touch/visiting. I have now found a possible address for my grandmother. I intended to write a letter but the words just wont come. We've never met. I have a telephone number for a neighbour, do you think it would be worth phoning first? What would i say??? Lea x ***************************************************I've now sent a letter, thanks to everyone for your help. I will post if/when I hear xxx****************************

Dear Mrs/Miss/Ms X This may come as a bit of a shock, but I have been researching my family tree and I believe you may be my grandmother. My father ZY X was born... in ... I would like to get in touch with you because......... Yuo can contact me on telephone 01234 56789. [enclose stamped addressed envelope too] I look forward to hearing from you

Thanks Nell What about telephoning a neighbour?? Would you? Not sure its definitely her, although be coincidental if it wasnt! Lea x

Personally I wouldn't phone a neighbour. Would you want neighbours to know your business before you were informed? This might be rather sensitive and I think one should respect that the grandmother should have a right to privacy, ie not have her past divulged to neighbours. A letter would give her 'breathing space' and hopefully you will be able to phone her later.

Gwyneth The only reason I ask is because i got in touch with someone who tracks family down so to speak and she said you can sometimes gleam a wealth of info from neighbours without going into 2 many personal details?! Just wondering what everone else thought. Thanks xx

I'm not sure I'd want someone phoning my neighbours to discuss me! Besides, neighbours may or may not know a person well. nell

Thaks nell Lea x

I'd probably go for writing a letter and including a photo. Perhaps using someone else to make the initial contact. When I contacted a relative they were a bit sceptical until I sent them a photo and then they said there was no doubt. My thoughts on a letter might go along these lines. Dear Mrs Bloggs or may I call you Granny!!! I am Jane the only/first/third daughter of your son Joe Bloggs and Susan Bloggs and would really love it/be so pleased if you would agree for me to phone/write to you. For the last few months/years I have been working on my family history/tree and wondering about my roots and who I take after and my ancestors and have finally found you and hope you will be as thrilled as I am to have done so. I would brought up with my parents in *town and have no/10 brothers and sisters. I am now 21 years old and work as a *secretary/*whatever. I enclose a photo of me taken this year/last year at * This is a really hard letter for me to write and probably for you to receive but I really hope that we can meet and hopefully build a good relationship. My phone/mobile number is ........................ and I would really love to hear from you. Love Jane

Add the words 'I don't want to cause you any distress' and 'I will respect your decision whatever that might be' Good luck Dave xx

I would omit the 'Granny' ,I am one but all the family use a nickname (as we all did for my Mum) Some 'Grannies' these days are elderly but not 'old' and she may be one such!! Jane

Thanks for all your input folks. I really appreciate it Lea x

N