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[persephone2013]

I have been researching my ancestry. I find to my horror that I am related to Goebbels. Well, not directly but we have a common ancestor.
I am shocked. However, I have always been fascinated with all things World War 2 and Nazi. I must stress I am not anti any race, especially not anti Semite. I am distressed. WWYD?

Invent a time machine and go back and kill Hitler?

What do you mean “WWYD?”? There’s nothing you can do! It’s just a quirky fact. Move on.

Ummm...you cant do anything about who you are related to. I dont understand the question.

Don’t panic. Prejudice isn’t genetic.

It is difficult to forget. Goebbels not only murdered Jews (whom he didn't know) but also his five children whom he is said to have loved.
I used to watch "Who do you think you are" on TV. I was perplexed when the subject would cry about the lives of long dead relatives. I wondered if they were overreacting or maybe performing for the camera.
Am I now overreacting?
(Most ,but not all of my ancestors appear to have had mundane lives.)

Yes you are massively overreacting. I suppose doing that on MN makes a change from the usual "posh person crying in a library" scene from television, though. Have you worked out what proportion of your genes you share with him and how many other people you share the same proportion of genes with?

Make him a blip in your family history.

My grandfather was a violent, evil murderous paedofile who has found dead in his cell before the crown could hang him.

He is a blip.

Not as notorious but still a blip.

Yes, you're overreacting but that is quite a discovery. I hope you can put it in perspective soon. Lots of people have abhorrent monsters in their ancestry, and even immediate families, but it's not who we are. We can't help our lineage but we all have one. Don't stress.

Thank you for your comments. I am reviewing my fascination with World War Two. I will not be namechanging to Goebbels.

Well, at least you have made me laugh about it.

Yeah, the name change might not open many doors for you....

Although, actually....Channel 5...? [sigh]

Of course you’re overreacting, this has nothing to do with you.