Genealogy Chat

I have an old album full of photographs - 99% of them I have no clue who they are, but they will keep looking back at me with my own eyes. It's very disconcerting. However, I did manage just once to turn my likeness to my father to my advantage. My mother was having a go at me (yet again) for being just a tad (!!!) overweight. I pointed out to her that it was her fault - she chose who my father was to be. Tina (wondering whether to start yet another diet)

The other strange thing I have is the thumb on my right hand is completely different to that on my left hand! The nail never grows and you would think Id had some sort of accident with it cos its flattened. Mum had the same and she said her father had the same thumb as well! Sis doesnt have it. I wonder how long it has been in the family?

How funny, I think everyone does this, compare, I have four siblings and I am the only one who I can honestly say looks like my Grandfather. I KNOW what I will look like in years to come. I always say 'I look like the Polish/Jewish side' (relatives killed in Auswitch) where as the rest of my family are all English Roses with red hair (even my TWIN, she has red hair that hangs in natural ringlets!) My boyfriends family all compare when they get together, but admittedly, he is the image of his Grandfather! xx

I look like my father unfortunately.... my brother and sister are like my Mum. Hard to believe but we have no family photos further back so no idea what any of my grandparents looked like. Trying to make contact with a first cousin who could possibly have photos of my paternal grandparents. Jean x.

I wish I had my mums legs - well dads would do aswell come to that. I think there must be a large oak tree or elephant in the family line somewhere.

Oh Heather....I knew we must be related!!! My first cousin has that thumb thing!! She found adoption papers and assumed she was adopted, but in fact the papers were for her adoption by her step-father and her bio-mother. Cousin didn't believe that until bio-mum (my auntie) pointed out they both have the thumb thing! Apparently my great-granny on that side had it too...... Got any Allens or Lakins in your tree?? Merry

I thought you meant you had legs like 50 year old oaks aswell! Strange, the thumb thing, isnt it? I mean it looks like an accident, a crushing injury. People always say, How did you do that? And the nail never grows - I can have a beatiful long nail on the other one but looks a bit silly if the fat squashed one hasnt grown. Dont know Merry, your lot all seem to be much higher class than mine!

LOL! Well, g-granny with The Thumb was the dau of a man who was supposedly trained as a cabinet maker, but though I have him on the census 41-91 he is always down as a house decorator, so suppose he wasn't accomplished at saw, chisel and hammer? Her hubby was supposed to be a stone mason, but he prefered to be a pub landlord!! All right for you? Merry

My two children and my two grandchildren look exactly like my husband. Having recently seen photos in a book of some of his close relatives from the 1850's onwards I can see the genes on that side of the family must be very strong they all look alike. My SIL and I feel very left out lol Linda

Hmmmm Merry and where did this man train as a cabinet maker - not Stepney or Camberwell under a master called Hanson who may have had a quick dalliance with his missus I suppose?

After a DNA test that proved he was indeed my father too, my recently found half sister has sent me a photo of him in army uniform in 1941. He's helluva handsome - but try as I might I cannot see any of me in him, except, maybe, sticky outy ears!. Can't see that my children have any of him in them either. He has a slightly cleft chin, which I think is supposed to be carried down generations, but neither my hsister nor I have it, none of my children either. Don't know about hers - will ask her. Hope that she can show me some more photos soon too. But then, like several others on here, I'm turning into my mother, and my daughter is turning into me. And I have often stated, much to d-i-l's amusement that my grandson loks like his paternal grandfather -and has his great grandmas legs! He's not four yet! Rosi

Why do you think I call myself Hienze 57. Not just because of my rellies coming from 4 different countries, but because I have been told by different people, ooh dont you look like your Dad, Mother, Maternal Gran or even that I look like my Grandad. I am now, as I get older, beginning to get worried. My Grandad was bald!!! my Gran, who I must admit I am like in build, was a nasty old women with a face to match, only met her twice as her and my Grandad divorced when my Mum was young and Mum came to live in England. I am like my Mum in personality, like a good laugh and getting to know people, have my Dads green eyes and hair colour. My Son is always telling me, that I am getting like my Mother in my mind as well..............just because I forget a few things. Ann

Well, I feel very relieved that my dad's big nose didn't surface in me or any of the children....my mum's nose genes must be very strong!!!! Just apoint though, why did people always look ugly in old paintings? Perhaps evolution is changing us all into beautiful people (slight hiccup with me though!) Chris

Chrispy - please don't mention big noses when I am listening! Heather.....William Allen, cabinet maker, didn't know where he was born. Ashby-de-le-Zouch or anywhere else within a 10 mile radius - every census he says different! His wife (Hannah Lakin) came from Alrewas in Staffs........so not much good for Stepney? Maybe he did an apprenticeship in London? LOL Merry

Erm, this is getting worrying now - erm, did you mention a larger than average proboscis Merry? And a liking for working as licensed victuallers? Not a tendency for blond or auburn hair in the family by any chance?

While I contemplate the possible horror unfolding here - me half price Tescos sauvignon has arrived and is calling to me.

LOL All my dad's family, inc the victuallers and the cabinet maker, were/are blonde!! But I'm not :o(( Partial to a glass of sauvignon, too...........Yummy!! Merry

I think i'm really lucky as I look like my paternal granny and I'm happy with what she passed on to me. The dangerous bit is I seem to be taking after my mother with regards to temperement. Whilst I love her dearly.... she is one hell of a cantankerous old bu**er :-)) Wilf

Oi, you two winos (you know who you are) are you still comparing your default features? lol

Well, I can't see a wino from here???? **hastily puts mirror, which caused this thread in the first place, at the back of the drawer** Merry