General Chat

found my gfather in 1911census, nothing strange in that, apart from the fact that his ship (he was a Master Mariner) was berthed at West Quay, Southampton which is now a large shopping mall that I know my gdau loves to shop in. But the first thing which really took my breath away was his signature which leapt off the page at me - one could swear it was my father's. Really weird.

Chris, I hope you are well, hubby is keeping up his stamina and nursing duties, and son continues to make a recovery.
Through the net, I found a distant relly, his grandmother and my Gt grandad were brother ans sister, and we correspond and help each other regularly.
When the 1911 became available, I found his grandmother and her husband, his grandfather. I sent him a copy of the granfather's signature, and well, to say he was over the moon, is somewhat of an understaement. He had never seen his grandfather's hand writing, and it meant so much to him, a chappie now in his late sixties.
Shows we are never to old to learn something new in genealogy.
Take Care
Julia in Derbyshire

Julia, good afternoon, OH is well and pressure of caring for two easing off! Has gone to play golf this morning - first time for weeks due to inclement weather. Son is now recovering, certainly knocked the feet from under him.

I am sending copies of two census, grans (with the children) on it , one of them her dad to my cousin, who is always very interested in my findings, and of course gran's signature and gdad's. Will send copies to gdau, as a history graduate, I am sure she will be interested and intrigued to learn that where she now shops her 2x gfather berthed his ship! Talk about following in the footsteps!

My gfather was a manxman, lived in Liverpool and sailed for a Glasgow company - never thought to find him in Southampton - never crossed my mind. One of his sons in 1940 brought his family from Liverpool to Southampton as that had turned out to be his home port.

Hope you are both keeping well and thank you for your thoughts.

OH is merely tolerant of my genealogy interests - until one day I showed him the 1911 census and he said "that's my grandfather's writing!". It made me look at my side of the family in 1911 - and yes it started with grandpa's distinctive writing, and the rest of it was in granny's equally recognisable writing.

The next census I understand we can fill in on the internet - but I suppose our descendants won't be using handwriting anyway.