Genealogy Chat

Steve, Now I understand better, (thank you Olde Crone), there are two issues here: 1) He has been sold a coat of arms that doesn't even belong to someone of his surname (not his fault, but the company's). 2) Even if it was his surname, the crest (if the image is even genuine) will belong to a specific person from the past, which may not be his relation, just because they have the same surname. So.........could you ''rescue'' him from the situation by using 1) to your (his?) advantage?? He could maybe get his money back on the basis of 1) which would mean you explaining 2) ...........He would not look stupid if you accentuate 1) .......and in explaining 2) he would come to see that he actually doesn't want/need a coat of arms anyway. Hope you remain friends?!!!! Merry

If this firm counts the number of hits on their site, they must be getting all excited at the moment. It makes for quite entertaining reading - just so long as you regard it as simply that. I have just spent a happy half hour putting in various of my family names and reading the blurb that comes up about it. You will be fascinated to learn that everyone I am descended from appears to have come over with William the Conqueror. Wow - not an Anglo-Saxon in sight! Hmm - wonder how I managed to have fair haired blue eyed children? However, there is one aspect of the site that might be useful, and that is the bit where they suggest other possible spellings of the name! Tina

have just looked a name on their site, out of curiosity- the place that the name is supposed to have originated cant be found on 1851 census , let alone anyone born there, and yet the whole caboodle are supposed to have originated there, back in the year dot maybe, but even so

I guess, that if it were me, I would rather be told now and kindly than be showing it around at a later date and someone crushed me in front of others. So Steve, put the tactful hat on. These firms are so awful arent they. As Old Crone says, how can they let people think just cos you have a name it entitles you to a coat of arms. I bet they do a good trade in Smiths.

Given that the essence of true genealogy is proving any entry or find is accurate I feel you should tell him the truth. xxhugxx

Hate to break it to you Roy, but I'm a Yorkshire man's daughter. Sorry.

Elisabeth, as a Yorkshire man I was brought up to tell the truth and have respect for others, so we will just have to respect each others opinion's Roy

Sorry Grumpy Bear but if you were a close friend I would call you an idiot in this case and a close friend would not take offence. That's what close friends do. Steven however may not be a 'close' friend to this person and has to decide which way to play it.

Elisabeth, I am very happy that you are not a friend of mine, if you meen that by telling a friend the truth that you are that saying they are an idiot? Roy

Why burst their bubble they obviously have more money than sense. These scams have been going on for years, fed by our American cousins unfortunately. Ask yourself this; would you appreciate being told you're an idiot? If the answer is no don't tell. If yes tell them in the kindest way possible with links to the relevant websites. As Old Crone says Coats of Arms are only awarded to a specific person, it does not necessarily mean anyone else of the family name have any entitlement to it.

Ian Coats of Arms started way back (LOL). They were intended to be worn in battle, so you knew who was who and didnt stick a javelin in a mate. I believe Royalty, Knights and Squires were entitled to them. Each Coat of Arms is specific to a PERSON, not a family. Someone from the College of Heralds can 'read' a family history from a Coat of Arms e.g, this is the Arms held by the fourth son of the Baronet Bloggs, and his mother was Mary Lady Snodgrass. I have a copy of my generic family Coat of Arms. In fact I have several copies, all of which differ slightly, according to who was entitled to bear them. I am most certainly NOT entitled to use bear or display them as they do not apply to ME, but to the people they were awarded to. The present holder of the Arms is not called Holden, and the Arms are almost completely departed from the original, having been quartered time and time again. The original, that is the oldest Coat of Arms I know about for my family, shows five Moorcocks. This is a play on the fact that the first Holden was 'Cock of the Moor' - in more ways than one!!! Yes, if it was my friend, I would certainly bring up the subject - say all puzzled that Burke's Peerage shows a different one, is he sure 'they' sent him the right one?? If he has half a brain he will quickly work out that he has been ripped off, without you rubbing his nose in it! Olde Crone

Can someone tell me the background behind heraldry as I once saw a plaque many years ago with my apparent family crest on it. I think my dad owned it. How are they gained, awarded etc or had he got it made by someone who took details from him about his origins etc and made one?

But even if they give him the coat of arms for his family name, it doesn't mean anything does it - if it's not to do with his branch?? Don't the heraldry people get worked up about those not entitled having headed notepaper etc??????!! Merry

A true friend would always tell the truth, I think if you say to your friend, are you sure they sent you the correct coat of arms? only on the info i have the one they sent you is for (Pritchards) and send him the info to check for himself. If it was me although i would be p***st about it, but i would rather know the truth. real friends always tell it like it is. Roy

Heather You have to belive it, its happening every day, and they boast of over 1 million names that can have a coat of arms lol yeah right, well they can as long as there softwear logs names which are entered in the search box. I have more to say but i will leave it for another day < have to get son> Have fun all tc Nite Nite

Incredible how gullible people can be, isnt it?

Heather The people that own that site have at least 6 others, i did email them quoting Burks but guess what nowt back they dont give a damm. I wonder how many UK people have fallen for it as a test put my last name in Priestley bet you get a hit lol with all the other spellings or try smith, jones lol. I do know that my family name was granted a coat of arms but not my branch what a bugger eh i could be a duke lol Steve

Oh thats a difficult one Steve, on the one hand, may seem hurtful to burst the bubble on the other, Id had to see someone ripped off. What if you contacted that place and said you sold someone a coat of arms that isnt correct - could you please check it out? They didnt have one for Horstead either - bet that ones on the drawing board!

Lol Chris i think i am on side of the coward on this one too a mate is a mate and i dont want to burst his bubble, but i have to say its amazing how much that site makes, oh and they sell a franchise world wide for about $7000 you get all there softwear to set your own business. Janet they will have soon lol Steve

They don't have one for Horsup yet! Guess as I just tried that one they'll design one pretty sharpish though. Quickly look up the census and decide it originated in Suffolk and Hey Presto..........