So, why family history? I recently read that genealogy is the number one hobby in Great Britain. Everyone has their own reason to try and track their roots. Some want to try to identify potential health risks, some want to verify family lore and have bragging rights and some are looking for a sense of family.
Regardless of the reason, your best bet is to just start with what you know and go from there. It’s like unraveling a ball of yarn, untying knots, sometimes untying the wrong knot but just work at it.
I hear people say they know nothing about their family or just don’t want to know. I guess this blog isn’t for them. Some have said it’s impossible (remember my last name is Smith) and some countries are definitely harder. Australia in their infinite wisdom decided to destroy as many old records as they could due to it being colonized as a penal colony.
I really cannot remember why I started but I think it was due to health reasons. As mentioned, my last name is Smith and when I started my father, in his very British accent said “Why do you bloody well want to know that! I know nothing”. The gauntlet was thrown and I decided to find out as much as possible regardless. What did I know?
My dad’s name was Laurence Frederick Smith and he was born in 1927. My mom was Rosemarie and her maiden name was Oakley born in 1930. My only living grandparent was my dad’s mum, Gladys – born before the dawn of time (or so it seemed). Not a lot to go on, I checked the Toronto telephone book (yes kids, in my olden times there were actually phone books) and there were 22 pages of Smiths!
And so the journey began.
Across the Pond 