Genealogy Chat

Noticed this on the Home-page today: Fun fact *** Until 1858 divorce could only be granted by a private act of Parliament. *** Not sure that the participants would have seen it as 'fun'! - Christine

Couldn't agree more, Christine - and all the personal details written up in the press too! Plus the stigma afterwards must have been dreadful whether the guilty party or not.... Sarah

I think these 'fun facts' apart from the fact that they aren't fun, aren't really of any use. I'd rather GR had some useful links to info about divorce, bmds, censuses etc there. I'm also not interested in how many Winston Churchills are on the census either. nell

I agree that the number of <famous names> on the site is also not of immense use, but I suppose there is a case for describing that as a 'fun' fact. - Depends whose name it is I suppose. The one that appeared when I came back on just now is of some use: it's a list of a few basic Latin words people might need for old Wills and Registers. Christine

Maybe we should start our own ''fun facts'' thread?? For starters: ''There are 36,554,703 names on GR today. Of these, 15,498,642 have been copied directly from the IGI website, with no regard for their accuracy or relevance; 10,463,272 have been cribbed from other people's trees and are therefore duplicated at least ten times per name, and another 10,265,482 were uploaded by people who watched a program about genealogy on telly one night and thought that it might be fun until they realised how much time & effort was involved...''

To follow on from Richard, '2,759,232 relate to those who no longer use the site or entered the wrong e-mail address when they first joined. 4,268,745 relate to their partners and children. 2,512,613 are uploaded from Gedcoms, so baptismal dates and places are treated as additional information and not displayed. 16,321 are fictional characters, such as Adam, Eve, Woden and Mickey Mouse.'

And actually, I am not entirely sure that their 'fun fact' is correct - I thought divorce was only granted by private Act of Parliament as recently as the early years of the 20th century. Marjorie

today's is Below nobility are knighthoods; providing a title of ‘Sir’ and ‘Dame’ or ‘Lady’.

Hi guys! 'Fun facts' ... hmm ... well, at least I had a good laugh at this thread - thank you one and all! Clearly, we are all feeling bitter and twisted this wonderful Monday .... glad I'm not alone!! Must go and study that cereal packet now ... thanks Diane! Regs Jane

I feel compelled to look at the fun facts now! :-) Joy

Sorry Joy... I didn't mean to give you any obsessions! ;-) Christine

Fun fact There are 66 entries with the names of actors who have played James Bond.

They say there are 7 Laurels and billions of Hardys - they omit to tell you there are also 25 Mickey Mouse' and 8 Donald Ducks!! No minney Mouse though - must have got a Divorce then.

Oh Jess, there would have to be billions of Hardys, that's why I couldn't find my William today!! Jan xx :-)))

Jess There are 11 MINNIE MOUSEs - 2 born in Disneyland.

Don't diss Hardy's - I'm descended from them lol There are thousands though. Not as easy to research as I thought :)

Fun fact Many early settlers in America and the Caribbean were criminal transportees. After the War of Independence, prisoners were then sent to Australia.

Paul McCartney's coat of arms has 4 black half-flaunches(symbolising beetles) two circles(records)and a crest of a ‘Liver Bird’ holding a guitar.

There 92 William Shakespeares and 35 Charles Dickens on the site.

There are over 500 entries for the Beatles: John, Paul, George and Ringo (Richard).