talking pont

I haven't yet received the ordered paperwork [certifcates and PR pages] but there again I expected the certificates to be delayed, everyone will have been ordering before the immense price rise.

 

Distractions caused by family hasn't helped, 1 person in elderly respite care, 1 still suffering the after effects from a previous accident & another having a heart attack this week. Therefore not much has been done with regard to Family History.

 

The following newspaper article was pointed out to me yesterday:

 

“It always seems to reduce celebrities to tears on TV’s Who Do You Think You Are?, and now academics say delving into family history could do more harm than good.

 

Researching your ancestors can open a ‘Pandora’s box’ of damaging ‘secrets and skeletons’, according to a study out today. [Where's my Pandora's Box? Please????]

 

Warwick University sociologists are warning amateur historians to beware - their research could only exacerbate conflicts and rifts with relatives.

 

The main dangers come from uncovering unwelcome information, coming into contact with hostile family members - or becoming addicted to the research itself, and neglecting time with loved ones. [Guilty]

 

The Warwick team has been poring through responses from people taking part in Sussex University’s Mass Observation Project.

 

Dr Anne-Marie Kramer received 224 replies from people who had carried out family history research.

 

One in seven mentioned conflict or discord as a result of their delving, Dr Kramer was due to tell the British Sociological Association’s annual conference today (FRI).

 

One correspondent, a 70-year-old woman, found out both her mother and her grandmother were pregnant when they were married.

 

But she was then condemned by an elderly cousin for finding out the previously-unknown information. [the joy of being a generation younger than my cousins]

 

A 45-year-old woman discovered a relative had never been a naval officer, as the family had always insisted.

 

Her mother-in-law was also furious to find out her own grandmother - a former maid - had given birth outside marriage, despite later preaching about respect and ‘the right way to do things’. [What is unusual about that?]

 

Others complained about ‘intrusive’ relatives demanding too much information as part of their own family tree enquiries.[Yes, that is the minefield area]

 

And a 70-year-old woman complained: ‘My husband is into family history research in a big way.

 

‘It is his constant topic of conversation and it is driving us up the wall. [GUILTY – I can turn any conversation to the history angle, I blame 3 years studying history and 27 yrs of Family History Research]

 

But many responses were more positive about the chance to learn about ancestors - and pass on family memories over time.[Yes! Yes!]

 

Dr Kramer said Britain was ‘immersed in a seemingly unprecedented boom in the family heritage industry, with shows like Who Do You Think You Are? and websites such as Genes Reunited.

 

But she warned: ‘In investigating their family history, researchers could open up a Pandora’s box of secrets and skeletons.

 

‘The rifts are not confined to the historic past - bitterness and resentment towards siblings or parents can result where information is not disclosed.’ [I've no siblings and only 1 parent who although here physically that is all]

 

Right my comments on that warning done.

 

I have realised that I should have given a few pointers on how to use the web page so:

•  The grey bar at the top contains more information e.g. clicking on Index gives a list of everyone included in my Software = TIP – When you've clicked on the person you want to know about, use CtrlF and enter the name again to search for the name on the page because it may be near the bottom.
• Use a magnifying glass to read the captions I've used too small typeface.

 And that is me done for today