Not really lighter side, this, but would like other people's opinion.
I didn't know my father's family, and always wondered. Now well past retirement, I spend most of my spare time on the family tree. I've got hundreds of names from my mother's family, and from my father's mother's family, but everything stops with my great-granddad on my father's father's side. This is because he seems to be German (tho no proof of that beyond his name). I've spent hours at Kew going through naturalization records, and far more money than I can afford on certificates - no luck.
Imagine my delight when I contacted someone via an internet genealogy site, whose great-great-grandfather was my great-grandfather. His mother, he said, had loads of photographs.
I was beside myself with excitement. The young man gave me his email address, and I sent him a copy of the one precious photo I have, plus some BMD info. He sent me his messager name and address. He promised to get back.
Then it all stopped. I've tried the genealogy site, his email address and his messenger address, just in case I had the wrong one, but he just ignores me. Obviously after four ignored mails I got the message, and have given up.
Only someone who's been in this position can imagine how I feel. This is the only surviving line from my father's paternal family. They may know where great-granddad came from (that's all I need - I can do the rest myself!). a photo would be a bonus. I don't want to meet the family or ring them or in any way intrude in their lives. I thought the fact the young man was on a genealogy site meant he would welcome the sharing of info.
Should i just give up, and accept this is one line I'll never be able to follow?
What would you do?
