Genealogy Chat

I am about to write to my mum's cousin, who she has not seen for 40 years, and I have never met them. Easy making contact through here, as you have a relation in common, but to cold call/write to a known relative that wouldnt know you at all - just dont know where to start...... Any ideas?

what about Dear so and so I have reason to belive that you are decended from so and so - my mother being the daughter of his brother/sister whoever. then just sort of go-on saying X moved to such and such whilst i know that Y remained in what ever place...... X had 3 daughters Blah blah blah Y i think has 4 son Blah blah And just sort of 'Blah blah blah' without making it too long or involved. Dont mention rifts, fall outs or upsets!! Jess x

How about something like this? Dear.......... I hope you won't mind me writing to you but I have recently been trying to trace my family tree and I believe we may be related. My name is.......... (a little bit about yourself)... I think you may be a cousin of my mother who was born in ........ at........... (a little bit about her)....... I don't know why the family seems to have lost contact over the years but I would very much like to get in touch wth any relatives I might have and find out more about my family. I am enclosing a self addressed envelope and if you would like to get in touch I would be very pleased to receive a reply. I look forward to hearing from you. Very best wishes, ............. What do you think? Dea

Susan I wrote to my mother's second cousin out of the blue. I just said I thought we were related and enclosed a simple family tree to show how. He sent back a 2 page typed letter in return, promising to send me photos of all my great-great-aunts together! Have a go, you have nothing to lose and lots to gain. Nell

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated, helped a lot, plus I have a picture of him and his 4 brothers/sisters when they were about 7-8 years old, so that should definatley break the ice a little - they look a right rum bunch :) Definately need to get in contact with this guy, as I believe I have found his mum still alive in the village next door to where my mum has moved to and she has very fond memories of her and would love to get in contact with her, as we believed that all of her father's generation had died - how wrong we are. Mum doesnt want to just turn up on the door step as her aunt would be 88! Again thank you and I will let you know how I go. Kind regards Sue

Had a similar problem but in the end I decided to ring him. Found his phone no. on net. We had a big long talk & now we email or ring each other regularly. He is 66 & I am 57 - cousins who didn't know each other existed till I started doing the family tree. Best of luck with your letter. regards, Chris

I found 57 year old cousin who didn't know I existed. Phoned him in Feb (finally plucked up courage after a few glasses of wine) visited him he came and met his whole family. Started by saying - think you're my cousin..... he was so happy. Write as soon as pos - if he doesn't want to know he won't answer - but he will I'm sure.

Thank you all for your help, much appreciated. I wrote to 3 people I thought 3 cousins of my Grandparents last week and todate I have received two responses and loads of info - meeting up later in the year to go through it in more detail. One of them even gave me more addresses of others in the family. So all going good Regards Sue