Stick to Direct Research?Never!

[KathMc]

I agree with everyone above. I have found some of my most interesting stories from my indirect lines. I have also made contact with many in my indirect lines who were able to provide information and pictures of my direct line. I have picturs of my great-grandfather I wouldn't have had if it weren't for a 3rd cousin once removed. And I have gotten loads of info on my direct line from a 5th cousin. I could go on.

And to end, I am a little compulsive about completing a line. I see a blank and it drives me nuts. In fact, one of my obsessions now, to find my gg grandmother's half siblings mother's name, and to find out what happened to her half brother. It's a mild obsession, I admit, but it drives me nuts to see that blank. 

Kath

[bitty_matriarch]

A full picture of our ancestors lives can never be achieved by just following the direct line.  How many people have had an effect on our own lives that aren't in our direct line.

Also, it's probably the people that were most close to our ancestors that have the photos, treasured possesions and stories passed down, it doesn't have to be G G  Grandad but G G uncle that wasn't blood related. 

Oh, how I agree    My mother's PALMER family has thrown up so many VERY interesting stories - and old photos.  My Direct Line is so small, but the family as a whole is HUGE.  Thanks to my website, now in touch with 7th & 8th cousins - the link goes back to the 1700s!  I love going off at a tangent to research distant lines.

Regards,  Ann

[julianb]

Thanks to my website, now in touch with 7th & 8th cousins - the link goes back to the 1700s!

Absolutely - by rooting out the shared blood line branches, I have mad contact with quite a few distant cousins - I think to our mutual benefit, research-wise.  And some fascinating stories to boot.

JULIAN

[kerryb]

Thanks to my website, now in touch with 7th & 8th cousins - the link goes back to the 1700s!

Absolutely - by rooting out the shared blood line branches, I have mad contact with quite a few distant cousins - I think to our mutual benefit, research-wise.  And some fascinating stories to boot.

JULIAN

Me too, I seem to have more luck with the distant ones than my direct line sometimes.

BTW Julian, mad contact - is that fun

Kerry

[julianb]

BTW Julian, mad contact - is that fun

I normally correct/modify typos - but this one is too good to change 

[PaulaToo]

I like to see the family tree printed out, and I've said before, when I did this in the summer I had a tree the size of a single bedspread. So I cut and pruned and started the 'cuttings box' where all the siblings are stored but not forgotten.
Heavens to Betsy, if I had not had those siblings I would not have met two rather special friends who I have helped and who have helped me enormously. One was descended from Great Grandmother Emily's brother Jabez, the other from Jonathan, brother of 4th/5th great grandmother Ann. 4th/5th because of that wretched split in one of the families which carried on to marry back into itself. And if it had not been for the siblings in the 'cuttings box' I would never have been able to work that one out.
    

[CarolBurns]

You never know what the "indirect" relatives will bring with them. I always keep them all as there may be a hidden clue within their names and addresses etc

Well done on finding that link though

Carol

[kerryb]

But why is that the indirect links are more interesting than my direct family or is it just my perception??

Kerry 

[meles]

I am diligently tracing the families of all the Brocks born in Alburgh, Norfolk, even though I do not have a shred of evidence they are linked to mine, who came from Denton. But as the villages are only a mile apart, I keep thinking that there must be some link.

I also have a database of all Brocks originating in that area. I've got a couple of thousand of 'em now  . And STILL can't tie them to my lot. But one  day...

meles