Am I being a wimp

[dinkey]

I have quite a number of ancestors who would probably be buried in the Oldham area. I live in Lancashire with no transport. I would dearly love to visit the area to try and find the graves but this would mean going by train on my own to an area I do not know. I doubt I could persaude any of my family to come with me and wonder whether I should just do it on my own.

What do you all think. Has anyone had to do this and what has been your experience.

dinkey

[Ticker]

Dinkey

I'm sure that what you might find would more than make up for the difficulty and effort of going on your own.  However I would be reluctant to recommend you to wander round graveyards on your own.  Why not try and make contact through rootschat with someone with an Oldham interest to go with you.

[Bee]

If you must go on your own then I'd suggest weekends as that is when a most people go to tend their family graves, that way you wont be totally alone.

I have done it on my own with no problems but I think my daughter is trying to take over and she's started organising  graveyard outings, especially for next week when she's got a weeks holiday.

Happy hunting

[Jacquie]

Dinky, I don't think you are being a wimp, I'm like you I don't like going anywhere I have not been before. 

The first time I went to the library to do some research I dragged my husband along.  I knew exactly where the library was and where to go but I just needed someone to come with me first time. 

A month ago I had to go to a seminar for my job and it was a long way from where I live about a 45 minute drive and I did not know where to go so again I dragged my husband off with me.  A week later I drive there all by myself and had no problem.

I would try and find someone to go with I don't like walking around graveyard by myself.  When I do that I drag my son along.

So I don't think you are a wimp, some of us just need someone to hold our hand.  If I was over there I would come with you.

Regards Jacquie.

[JillJ]

I don't think you are a wimp at all.   I have only done one graveyard expedition - to a very run down and neglected cemetery in Leeds.   A woman came out of the Lodge cottage and told us not to move more than a few feet away from our car, because, she said, if you blink it will be vandalised!   That was on a Sunday morning!

Having said that, it was probably one of the worst days I have ever had - hubby invited himself along, appointed himself Director of Operations, telling me where to go and what to do and then, after about three quarters of an hour had the nerve to ask me what we were looking for!   I didn't get the nice lunch I had planned, didn't get to go to the church I also wanted to visit and all in all it was a complete disaster.   Oh, and by the way, the grave wasn't there either!   So next time, vandals, druggies, happy families, come what may - I shall be going alone!

Jill

[Bee]

Just a thought, apart from all the stuff you take with you, pen,paper etc. why not take a walking stick as apart from helping you over uneven ground it might give you a bit of protection should any undesirable take a liking to you.

[dinkey]

Thanks for all the words of advice and encouragement. I know that I should not need my hand holding. I am a grown woman after all (well not quite, only 4ft 10). hence the name dinkey. I was tempted to ask hubby but the only way I could drag him to Oldham would be the excuse of a weekend away and if I left him in the pub.

The idea of a walking stick is good. I do have one for when I go rambling. Although our experience of doing that means we usually get lost, walking round in circles. Does not bode well for taking a trip to an unknown town on my own does it.

So the way I see it I have three choices

1. Go on my own armed to the hilt with map. compass, pad & pen, camera, walking stick etc.
2. Entice hubby with a weekend away.
3. Contact Oldham FHS and ask for a like minded buddy to escort me from the train station.

I'll go with a majority decision.

dinkey

[JillJ]

There is a fourth option Dinkey.   You could post a message and see if there is a rootschatter in the area who would go with you?

Jill

[dinkey]

You are never going to believe this but I have just had a call from my mum. (I do not mean that mum). She has been speaking to her cousin in Manchester who told her that a friend had visited Oldham and quite by chance had walked down Higginshaw Lane where my grandparents lived. Mum was born at 534 Higginshaw Lane Crompton Oldham.(as you can tell from the number it is a very long lane).

According to the friend of mum's cousin, only a few of the houses still remain and No. 534 is one of them. The friend did not have a camera but has offered to take my mum in the spring. I have asked if she would not mind me joining them.

Do you reckon that is fate. I will get an accompanied visit to Oldham and see where mum was born as well.

I might be pushing my luck to get them to visit the cemetry though.

Just had to share that with you all.

dinkey