My Dad

[suedonim]

My dad was born 100 years ago today. He died in 1998 at the ripe old age of 91 but I still miss him.

Although I didn't know my grandmother, as she died when dad was 10, my mind keeps turning to the thought that 100 years ago today she would have been in labour. And that dad was born in South Africa and I am currently living in Africa, a place I never imagined I would go to. I think it'll going to be a day to keep the tissues handy! I'm not expecting anyone to reply, just wanted to put something down in writing to commemorate the occasion.

[shosha]

Message withdrawn

[Paddlechick666]

shosha, what our straighlaced forebears got up to huh!

i do think the geneaology thing is fascinating but far to scatty to do it myself.

bro actually started researching my father's side but there's more to be found on my mother's. glad he's doing it tho....

[suedonim]

I'm so glad I started this thread as it's ended up being so positive and made yesterday much better for me. We were out for a meal last night and I made a toast to my dad, even though dh and I were the only ones who'd known him.

Lol at all the naughty ancestors! My dad's dad was in a lunatic asylum at the time of the 1901 census - not sure how he came to be in South Africa by 1907! I haven't found out much more on that side beyond my G-grandparents marriage cert but when I've more time I will carry on.

On dad's mum's side, I've traced back to 1688, when a French Huguenot refugee emigrated to SA. He was 4ft 8" tall, a blacksmith, and had 16 children! Another ancestor was a baker in SA (Originally from Norfolk) and got prosecuted for selling underweight bread. He also seems to have left his family to fend for themselves when he died but made provision for his horse!!

One thing I was told by an expert in tracing family history is that most family stories passed down the years usually have some basis in fact, so don't dismiss old Aunty Gertie's improbable ramblings!!

Shosha, 100 pages - that's a lot of history. Dh's family has a varied history, with an ancestor winning a VC at the Indian Mutiny, most of the family being born/raised in India, then fil coming to the UK to join the RAF, fighting in WW2, posted out to Africa with his family and so on. Oh, and let's not forget dh's Aunt Lily, who ran a wartime tea shop where she allegedly 'entertained the troops'. Luckily bro-in-law is doing that research so I can just enjoy the results.

[Pavlovthecat]

Sue - I am glad you found people's thoughts helpful, sorry I did not say much positive stuff...

[suedonim]

No problem, Pavlov.

[Lizzer]

wow suedonim, that sounds like such an amazing fam history! It would be really unimpressive to have a boring load of 'normal' people who never put a foot wrong. But then I guess there's no 'normal' where humans are concerned. There's nowt so queer as folk as they say...


I'll ask my dp where the heritage test was bought, it was online but I've just googled it and couldn't find a uk based website...?

[Lizzer]

Sorry that first bit was to Shosha and P666 too!

[kittylette]

((((((((((((thinking of you))))))))))))

[mommie2angels]

Both of my parents are still alive- although I havent seen my dad since I was one- so I dont know exactly what you are feeling. But I lost my Great-Nana in 2001 and that really upset me and everytime her birthday (a few days after christmas) and death anniversary comes around I get very upset because I wish she was still here. She was 89 when she died and I miss her dearly. I've also lost a few friends who were around the same age as me and feel the same. I think I've gone kind of off-topic here and I starting to ramble so Im going to stop here and just say that I hope your Dad is happy where he is, and Im sending you alot of ((((cyber hugs))))

Kate xx

[suedonim]

Thank you, Kitty and Kate.