As a child I was taken to South Wales by friends. I just loved being there, and over the years sneeked in day trips when ever I could. No connection with either side of my family - paternal side proudly from the north east and maternal from Wiltshire.
Wrong!
Discovered Dad's grandfather and all previous generations from South Wales but it was never mentioned. I am left wondering if my Dad or Grandad actual knew they were not originally from the North East?
While researching my Smallman line we had a few years back found a grave of a William Smallman "Of Ryelands" in Upton bishop, Herefordshire.We didn't know then how he was connected to the family. The Smallman's had links to Upton bishop so I guessed he was probably connected in some way. Despite my best efforts I couldn't find out anything on Ryelands other than a NT property. A couple of years ago we were going back there and as we drove through the village to the church I got an urge to look out of the side window of the car rather than through the windscreen. What I saw made me shriek "stop the car" and almost gave my poor husband driving a heart attack! It was a property called "Ryelands". If I hadn't looked out at that moment we'd never have known. I swear my Nan, a Smallman was guiding me that day. Oh, William of Ryelands turned out to be my Nan's great Uncle.
I've said the same things to my pals recently, that we have a genetic memory of places. It could also explain that 'deja vu' feeling we get when we go to a place for the first time.