RootsChat.Com

You won’t find a birth certificate as he as born before registration began in 1837. If you have any idea where he was born you will need to search the Paris Records.

When I was growing up my parents had a guesthouse. I remember my mother being asked if she would allow a couple to bring their son who was retarded (their description), very few places would accept him.  My mother said of course he was welcome, they came every summer for several years until my mother had to give up taking guests when my father became ill.

It was quite obvious by his appearance and the way he walked that the lad had severe problems, he was non verbal, could only grunt and drooled all the time. He had suffered severe brain damage when the midwife dropped him on his head when he was born and was classed as an imbecile. His only interest was picture postcards, he had lots of shoeboxes full of them, they always brought several boxes with them. I used to sit with him for ages while he worked his way through them, showing me each one. He got very excited when we gave him new ones we had saved for him. It was such a simple thing but it made him so happy.

I would often go with them to the beach, I found it very upsetting the way strangers treated him. They would stop and stare and point at him, often making nasty comments. On several occasions I remember people saying he should be ‘put away’.

Thank goodness most, if not all of society is more enlightened today.

Point taken, I simply wrote as I read it.

I think you will find the Americans say grand uncle whereas we say great uncle. So it depends which country you are referring to.

Quite a lot of anger re the blue !
A radio programme where people could phone in to join a discussion was a real eye opener —- so many people thought the Cross of St. George was only connected to the England team !
Had no idea it was The English part of The Union Flag.
It was a revelation.
We were always taught that to deface The Union Flag was tantamount to treason!
That the broad white diagonal stripe must be at the top nearest the flagpole ,otherwise it was an insult !

I remember be horrified to see Prince William wearing a Union Flag waistcoat years back.

I don’t know about the broad white stripe being an insult if not next to the flag pole, it would mean the flag is upside down, therefore flying a distress signal.