Genealogy Chat

Where do all these people work who manage to do this while they are there? Any jobs going? I rush in from work, let the cross-legged dog out at the back, and then straight to the computer. I'm as bad as the rest of you - and I only started researching to help my sister in law who has learning difficulties and is fascinated by her family tree! Oh, and the best way I find with husband is to have the ironing board up nearby with a half ironed shirt on it. Soon as you hear the key in the door, rush to it and make out you have been at it all day - if necessary collect a few from his wardrobe and hang them around the room, as in: This is some I did earlier. Does this hobby make us devious, or is it just all the lateral thinking we have to develop to find the ***** relatives in the first place? Tina

My tip is to have a can of Mr Sheen and a duster next to the pc. Squirt on hearing the key in the lock and then appear at top of stairs looking flushed with duster in hand.

Phew!! Big relief to find out there are so many of you out there, and confirms that I'm not the only one, thank goodness. Hubby almost had me convinced that I am abnormal to be more interested in dead people than the live ones. I think about rellies in my sleep, wake up and make notes, talk to myself etc. I have had such a really good laugh reading all your stories - neglected children, starving husbands, dogs dying for a pee, I particularly liked the one where the hubby had to go out of town on a trip and the laundry wasn't done so she rushed out and bought new socks and pants and ripped off the wrappers!! Just the sort of thing I would do. And as for jumping up with duster in hand when you hear the key in the door - how many times have I done that!! My house is a mess, I don't think I've done proper housework for months since joining Genes, I've NEVER got the dinner prepared or even thought about it, hardly done the shopping, and hubby has never got anything ironed - I am a true slave to the computer and the size of my thighs is beginning to prove the fact...I haven't been to the gym in 3 months - all because of Genes! How sad am I????? But don't we just love it.

Just read this thread from page to page. Oh what a laugh. I have been a member since April. Before that I was very depressed and lonely. Living in a strange area and hardly any friends, I had got to the point where I wanted to drag mothers off the street as they took their children to the local school, in for a cup of coffee. Now if anyone knocked my door I would be afraid to answer it. Because the house is always a tip, and I am usually in my dressing gown till the afternoon. Sometimes I have not even pulled a comb through my hair. I have burnt at least four saucepans. Boiled potatoes and eggs dry. I hardly ever get any fresh air. Cannot wait for the summer and I can sit in the conservatory with my laptop. Must go and have a wash and tidy myself up a bit. I look like a scarecrow at the moment. Have fun everyone. Jenny.

Perhaps we could get car stickers - "Ancestors are for Life". Any suggestions?

Nudged up for Christine; to prove that it does happen to us all ! Best wishes Christine, Joan x

I have a strange sense of deja vu as I read all these posts - as if I could have written any one of them! I started about 15 months ago - and am hopelessly hooked. Perhaps we need to set up a GA organisation in parallel with GR? - A Genealogists Anonymous? - except that we couldn't stay anonymous because we'd all be trying to work out who was who by looking up electoral rolls, censuses and directories... Christine

People say they hate going home to an empty house. Not me, I can't wait to get inside and tune in to my friends and relations on here! But I do begin to wonder when I hear the milkman - at the wrong end of the night! (Three times in one week!) Addicted? Me? Good heavens - whatever gave you that idea .................. ???!!! Liz

You are not addicted (much!!!!). You are like the rest of us. You have 'an absorbing, interesting and time-consuming hobby'. The fact that no-one gets anything ironed any more, the dinner is later or nonexistent and the house looks like world war three has been fought and lost in it does not come into it.

Hi Sue I recognise all those symptoms FAR TOO well!! Oh............by the way, you could always take the phone off the hook/accidently knock it off when passing with arms full of ironing etc.:) Ann

I started this because I was bored. Kids grown up but not quite left home, hubby out every night and weekends. So now I'm doing this for me , Iv'e cooked ,cleaned and ironed for 30yrs. They can do their own now(or not, I don't care anymore) good hunting everyone. Sue

hi i've been doing this for 2 weeks and i'm really started to get worried after reading all the threads. although laughed at all of them. i've been on here like all of you morning till night and yes my house looks like WW3. maybe GR should put a warning on the site before you sign up 'Be warned this could take over your life' Annie xx

I'm sorry everybody ! I know this thread is 10 months old but I would just like to introduce a new addict - Debbie Brown to the scene. Now I hope she will soon realise why i have been acting as I have for the past year and join us. WELCOME Deb, Joan x x x

im sooo pleased im not the only one!! just started and got hooked. burnt tea last night!! fishermans pie needed burial at sea the dish as well! got to keep glancing at time incase forget to pick up child!!!! debbie just read the threads amazed at how i fit into them all and only been doin it for 3weeks. my hubby and 3year old son now sit on the bed throwing paper aeroplanes at my head to get any attention off me!!! he dont know certificates cost money not told him that yet!!! thanks joan for getting me in the club!!!! debs

No best not to mention the cost of certs etc - my husband still thinks its a free government service! At the moment they are quietly amused by our addiction, but if money came into it, they may feel differently!

I'm so glad to read this thread again - it was one of the first I saw when I started on these boards a few months ago - and I'm still crying with laughter over all the messages!! (Not that I'm an addict myself, you understand!) I note that there are no responses from any MEN on this thread.........................................! Is a DUSTER one of those yellow square clothes that I seem to vaguely remember from some years past?....I'f forgotten what I used to use them for???? Merry

Deborah , I would just like to put the record straight - on National Genesreunited.......I did NOT 'get you in the Club !' That was your own doing and I bet someone on these threads will give you the tipon how it happened. Maybe they shouldn't but this is the Tips Board. Happy Hunting Deb, and Welcome to any other newbies ! Joan x PS The NEFF man has been back again !

Hi I just love this thread, I've been smiling all the way through and must admit nodding my head and agreeing to all that is being said. I too am addicted and find that it is the most enjoyable hobby that I have ever had. I just wish I could speak to some of these relatives that I have found to find why they died so young and what they did in their lives. I am afraid that they seem so real to me. Thanks for the help and entertainment that I receive on this site. Regards Leigh (Australia)

Don't know why I have never read this topic before... it's fantastic. Everything about you all reminds me of 'ME' As soon as hubbie and son leave for work I dash upstairs,, no, not to take a shower and get dressed.. to switch on and get up to date, the shower takes place a lot later on. and maybe get time to run downstairs and put washing in machine/take something out of the freezer for tea/make beds etc.etc. When the family are due home, I listen out for a car, switch off comp, and appear at the top of the stairs saying 'I've just been having 40 winks - so tired today' !!!!!!!!!!! This obsession makes you tell little white lies.

thank you so much for nudging this thread - it's made me feel much better about my addiction & given me a laugh. I'm supposed to be going out shopping, but keep saying to myself 'I'll just look at this & then I'll go. Hubby always rings me lunchtime so I have to log off. I mooch around waiting for the phone & get back on again as soon as I've spoken to him. Oh well, better go I suppose. Angela