« Reply #13 on: Tuesday 06 August 19 21:30 BST (UK) »
Hello Katherine
Not sure how you get her to open up, except to show interest and sensitivity about her memories.
She may have reasons for not talking and you may just have to accept it.
I would only suggest maybe getting photos out and having a chat.
Or asking if someone else in the family is interested in talking.
In the meantime you can just use what you have and do research like any family historian assuming nothing and looking for the evidence.
I found that as I did my own research that my dad who stated he was not interested, became interested as I found out stuff and would occasionally show him and ask about photos etc. But I never got a lot from him, but what I did I really appreciate.
Back to your question about the name Harris, yes it is a traveller name, but it is also a very common non traveller name too.
I’m not sure why you have picked my post but if you have reason to believe she is related to Harris families travelling in East Anglia then go to reply 7 in this thread where there is a link to a much more involved thread that includes Harris.
But I would suggest starting a new thread on the traveller board (which that link will take you to). Put what information you are certain of and I’m sure one of the experienced researchers will point you in the right direction.
There is even a book about the Harris families, but it doesn’t have much about my line.
Honestly I have found it easier to learn about researching family history by starting on my non traveller lines first as they are generally easier to find .
Good luck
LANCASHIRE: Briscoe, Taylor, Hamilton, Cutts, Mousdell, Dixon, Fairclough, Dingle, Pennington, Ingham, Martin, Pinnington, Haselden, Molyneux
CHESHIRE/DENBEIGHSHIRE: Briscoe, Gibson, Tudor
SCOTLAND: Hunt, Murray, Docherty, Malley, Cameron, Colman, Middleton, Mason, Drummond, Gourdale, Fraser
East Anglia/East Midlands/Traveller: Harris, Gray, Thorpe, Sherratt, Sly, (Twigdon, Fendick, Clarke) Jackson, Rowe
