Saturday 21 April 2012

Talking of happy families . . .

Well, I was two days ago although I have strayed away from that subject in my last post, although I suppose that's not quite true.  Many people would, after all, consider a dog as part of the family.  Either way, it is completely irrelevant to what I am abut to tell you.

Some of you might well know already that over the last umpty-ump years I have been collecting data on my family tree.  I now have over 6,000 names and many more dates with the tree's branches spreading ever wider.  Why? you ask.  I don't really know, if I am to answer honestly.  It all started innocently enough but I have found myself getting hooked on finding more and more names, dates and places.  I suppose it's a bit like the answer mountaineers give when they are asked why they do it: because it's there.  The information is there and I quite enjoy winkling it out.  Occasionally, I find myself making contact with - not a long-lost relative, but a newly-discovered one.  I did so this week and she was able to give me the next clue in one of my "treasure hunts".  This was the name of a ship on which my grandfather served back in the 1920s.  I don't think it is actually the one I want, but who knows?  It might lead to the next clue and I might eventually find out the truth about the mutiny he was supposed to have led which resulted in him being put ashore in Calcutta and left to find his own way home.

5 comments:

stephen Hayes said...

A mutiny? Now you're talking!

Shrinky said...

Yikes, the story of how he found his own way home must be worth hearing! My mother-in-law, fiercely proud of her heritage, did a huge amount of groundwork unearthing her ancestory - now my children's - for which I am extremely grateful. It's a wonderful, fascinating inheritance she's left to them.

The Broad said...

It is indeed a fascinating adventure of discovery -- but oh so time consuming! The best part for me was finding those black sheep! Well done, you, for finding 6,000 names! Wow!

Brighton Pensioner said...

Avast there, me hearties! And welcome aboard, Shrinky. I promise not to make you dance from the yardarm>

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

You, stray?
Never!