I was asked by a relative of a relative to investigate his father's side of the family. Now this gentleman has the same surname as the first PM of this country, ennobled as the 1st Earl of Orford, and he wanted to prove a connection to the aristocracy. He had already traced the line as far back as the late 18th century in Rutland. So I did what I could, but although I've uncovered a lot of fascinating stuff, as you do, about his father's ancestors, I can see no connection at all with the Earl in question. His pedigree is on the LDS site, and the nearest they get to Rutland is a brief excursion into Huntingdonshire. Since it's the name of a village, they probably were connected if you go back far enough, but then weren't we all!
He's not interested in the rest of his family history. He's now prepared to revisit record offices in his pursuit of this fantasy connection to nobility. I think it's sad. Has anyone else come across this phenomenon?
