RootsChat.Com

My mother gave up one of her children in 1947.  It was in unusual circumstances.  My parents already had 3 children and the child that was given up for adoption my father believed he was not his child.  My mother had the child adopted when he was about 9 months.  I have the original birth certificate and in the margin it is noted adoption.  What is unusual is that my mother had his adoption papers with the name of the people who adopted him.  She and my father were sent a Notice of An Application for an Adoption Order.  The Education Committee of the County Council of the County of Southampton were appointed guardian and the application for adoption was heard before the Juvenile Court sitting at the Town Hall, Eastleigh.  The Notice of Application was sent by the person who adopted him.  I have never been able to work out how my parents were able to have access to this document as I always believed the details of the adopting couple were kept private.
Regards Kaybron

Hi,

I am currently working through 2 free genealogy courses provided by futurelearn.com and the University of Strathclyde.

The 2 courses are in one week blocks and go for 6 weeks.  There are short videos to watch and articles to read.  There are also several quizzes that are completed in various sections. The 2 courses are Genetic Genealogy: Researching your family tree using DNA  and  Genealogy: Research your family tree.

There is basic information which would help someone who is just starting out in their family history.  I have been undertaking family history, constructing family trees and also looking into DNA, for a number of years and have found the course to be rewarding.  Thus far I have completed Week 1 and Week 2 has just been made available (27 January)

Regards Kaybron

Welcome to Rootschat Kvap.

My connection to the Southee family is through a Maria Ellen Sunnex (1836) who married a George Southee (1833 Birchington, Kent).  When you have replied to messages and can activate the Personal Message facility I can pass on my personal email and we can communicate via this.  I have a private tree on Ancestry and I can also give you access to this. 

As a direct descendant of Mary Ann Southee I am extremely pleased that you have reached out and made contact via Rootschat.  It has been difficult to find info about the Southee family, especially those born in later years in New Zealand.

Regards Kaybron

I took a DNA test to help find my grandmother's parents.  I asked a cousin to do a test so I could work out maternal and paternal matches to me.  This was helpful as it allowed me to do this and to also look at shared matches with my cousin.  My highest matches are with surnames of Spong (149 Cm) and Barlow (63 Cm).  I have managed to work out how these two surnames match and who the common ancestor is by building a tree.  I know my grandmother is related to these 2 matches but it has not brought me any closer to working out who her parents are.

There are a number of people who do a DNA test and are not really interested in ancestors.  They do not have trees and they do not reply to messages.  You really do have to be lucky sometimes and just wait until a good DNA match comes up.

My husband did discover a half-brother through DNA.  His half-brother had been searching for over 40 years and DNA was his last resort.  There have also been a couple of other discoveries but these need another person to submit a DNA sample and it is a bit daunting to ask them to do this.

Regards Kaybron 

Thank you KGarrad for the link.  I have purchased 1921 Census records individually and wondered if you could purchase other records similarly.  Through the link you gave I have just purchased a Kent Parish record for a death in 1825 which I have wanted.  The cost was £1.50. The process of purchasing was quite simple.
Regards Kaybron