General Chat

I have just got the address of a relation that i have found lives about 1 mile away from me, she could hold alot of vital information that i need for my familytree but i'm nervous about contacting her, she's in her late 70's so really it's now or never what do you lot think. Dawn

Write, and include a sae - she may relish giving you information. I am in my 70s and would love to pass family info to anyone interested brenda

She may welcome the knowledge that she has other rellies in the area. Faint heart never won fair maiden. I'd say "Go for it" Good luck, and please let us know how you get on as it may encourage others who are nervous about making a contact. Jim

Dawn if you don't you will live to regret it, good luck... Bev

I was thinking of posting the letter though her letterbox don't know what i'd say if she came to the door though!! Dawn

Why not, nothing ventured nothing gained. Good Luck, Jo.

Would say the same as all the above Dawn. Nothing to lose really. Good luck. Daisy

Dawn, if yu put it thru her letter box either early morning or evening, she wont come to the door brenda

OK i'm convinced, if she doesn't want to reply i haven't lost anything, and she doesn't know me....off to post it now. Thanks you lot Dawn

Good luck, I hope you do hear off her, and get chance to fill in a few gaps. Bev

hi dawn i was at a funeral last year,and my aunt told me of a cousin,that i did'nt know i had. i thought it best to write first,and although her hubby was a little suspicious at first,were now in contact,and she has given me some interesting information. so,yes go for it,but slowly does it!! bryan.

Go for it. Last year I wrote to an aunt of mine. Even though I enclosed an SAE I have had no reply. However, I have recently discovered that the probable reason for her not replying is that my letter arrived a few days after her sisters death. Probably made me look like some sort of Gold digger. Although I haven't written to her again I now have the address of her sisters daughter and intend to write soon. I wrote to a possible third cousin in the US last week and on Saturday received an E-mail from her giving me details of her sister and including photos of her grandfather, mother, aunts and unclesand she has promised more photos. She is also giving my details to her nephew in France who is into Genealogy. Thank goodness I wrote to these people. Just remember, the worst she can do is ignore the letter. If you want any tips send me a message. Janet

When you are in your 70s these days you are NOT old !!! brenda

Dawn, Let us know how you get on. Was it Gladys?? Elderly people love to reminisce (hope that's how you spell it!) and you've nothing to lose but everything to gain. Sorry Bugsbunny - you are quite right - 70 is not old!!! Good luck, Kathy x

If it was Gladys, there was no phone number given. kathy

Dawn, I had this dilemma, only a few weeks ago. The person in question was the widow of my dad's cousin and neither of us had been in contact before. I wrote a short letter and kept it simple by just providing enough information to act as bait rather than bombard her with a lot of detail. Thankfully she called and was delighted that we had got in touch with her and told us that her late husband often enquired about his family. I was worried that she would wonder how I had got hold of her contact details but my fears proved unfounded. I would recommend doing it. Andy

In my experience - old ladies love to talk about the past and as time has lapsed they love to dish the dirt! Lots of secrets come out as everyone is dead and gone! Ann

Thanks you lot, i just had a drive to where she lives and i did find the number but there was a gang of teenagers hanging around her gate so i turned round and came home again. I will do it, probably later tonight. Dawn

Hi Dawn, Did you write to the address I sent you by e-mail? Sylvia xxx

Hi Sylvia, Am i right i believing you were you were helping me with the Holland information concerning my father, well if you are yes i did contact them as soon as i got your message but i never heard anything back from them so i wrote a second message to them but unfortunately still nothing as that was about 2 weeks ago so i'm not hopeful i hear from them which is a shame as i thought i was actually getting somewhere. Dawn