Genealogy Chat

Hi There, Gary Burgess' thread "Spooky" has just sparked off a memory of a TV program that used to be on Granada plus, where Derek Accora(apologies if spelt wrong),a rather fabulous medium IMHO, used to help people researching family history by contacting their dead rellies. Now I know I have propably just opened up a whole can of worms here, but I just wondered if anyone had ever tired anything like that with any success? Its not something I am planning, but I am quite open minded on such matters and am merely being nosey! Regards Maxine (PS there were originally paragraphs here, but they seem to have disappeared!)

Many years ago, a few of us from Work went to see a Medium. Just for a laugh really; a 'girly-night-out' with a difference, we thought. No-one commented till we had all had our private session. We were stunned and amazed. during my 'session' I was told that my great-grandma was with me all the time and I need only 'ask' when I needed her. Over the years I have been comforted by knowing this and she has come up trumps every time I have called on her. since the start of 2003, I have been 'into' my family history and have taken trips to the Yorkshire Dales searching graveyards etc. On two occasions, when asked, my g.gran guided me to the graves for which I was searching even though the graveyards were quite large and in one case, very overgrown. When I tried to find the house in which she lived as a child, I had worked out from 1881 Census that she lived 5 doors from Methodist Chapel and 8 doors from Post Office. Silly me hadn't reckoned on more houses being built later. Therefore my counting didn't work. But one house in particular seemed to draw me to it. On the stone door arch, the initials 'RH' were carved - these were the initials of her father, a stone mason. I took a photo of this but when the photos came back - no sign of the initials on the arch. But I know in my own mind that I did find the right house that day.

hi Hazel That's an amazing story, it never ceases to amze me how these things happen. It's always a nice thought to think that our dearly departeds are still watching out for us. Regards Maxine

Hi all I to went to a medium early this year it was a group in the room,she came straight to me and asked about roses being put in a childs coffin,I didn't no what she was on about and told her that I had lost a son when he was 2 months old and I didn't put roses with him.My two sisters were with me and they were very surprised that I didn't no about the roses.It was my mother who placed them there and this is her way of telling me she was looking after my son.The medium told me that before the day ended my mother would make contact again and any time I needed her just call.It's true because that evening my net curtains that my mother bought me fell down.I no she has helped me when I've been stuck with her side of the family and it's true your loved ones never leave you. Jill from Cardiff

Hi all I too have had messages from mediums, one thats stays with me: A couple of years ago l went on a coach to visit my sister, the journey took me through Horsham,which l had done before, but this time it was slightly different route.On the Sunday l saw the medium, she said you have been on a journey and you came a different way, also your father tells you that those boots are made for walking. The boots had been in the hall of my house all week,because my husband insisted l took them with me(walking boots),he kept putting them on my suitcase. As we left for the coach station l took them off and left them behind.The medium had never met me before and knew nothing about me. My parents have both encouraged me to search the family tree, l'm sure of that. Jude(s.wales)

I have gone all goosepumpy and really cold reading these stories. I do believe in this sort of stuff, but I think I would be very frightened to see a medium. I wish some of my ancestors would come back and help me in my research sometimes, perhaps they will read this and come and help me. Debbie

I know I am going back to the late 70's, but my Mummy and I went to a medium gathering, and he picked out my mummy out straight away, and told her it was her dad, he described her and all our greyhounds, that we had tied up everywhere in the house,as she was a kennel maid in London. He then went on to tell her that she would be getting a pair of shoes the next day. We looked at each other, and as there was only the 2 of us and a bit short of funds, ignored it. The next day a pair of shoes arrived that my mummy had ordered, exactly a year to the day, from a catalogue. How did they know? or were the an employees of the catalogue?! Kim Sandhurst

Kim Now that was freaky, Anybody else got any I love them. Debbie

My sister visits a medium on a regular basis,as a friend.About 2 weeks ago(on the Wednesday) she said "your fathers here,in his uniform,he keeps on about a parcel and a birthday.It is our brothers birthday today,he lives in USA and she posted his parcel, on the Monday!!. Jude

Nothing to be frightened about,l get nervous if the medium comes to me, because l know l'll cry if its a message from my mum or dad. Jude

William, When was that? and was his name Steffen, and lived in london? Just curious. Kim

Last November l hurt my back and was sitting in an armchair resting -l was suddenly aware of a dogs face(tan and white),the nose was nuzzling my cheek, l only have one dog and she was on the floor in front of me - tan and white. I thought perhaps she was feeling sorry for me - well the next day she started being sick,all day,and had to go to the vets.She had blood tests,ultra sound and biopsy's and was diagnosed with liver damage.It was her telling me she was ill.She still has sickness probs and has to visit the vet,but other wise is fine.Going to watch '24' now.Be back later. William even if you had told your friend he would probably not have believed you,for what ever reason it was meant to be.Very sad though and awful for you to have known. Jude

William Would that be the WWII Lightning (P38?)?

To Debra Sheppard Please don't be afraid to visit a Medium; none of your deceased relatives will harm you. There's more to fear in the world around us but that doesn't stop us going out and about. Take an understanding friend with you and just let it all happen. Hazel

Hazel Thank you for the encouragement, I think that what I am frightened of is that Ive often thought is there anyone watching me like my late grandparents. It would be nice to think so, but then I think if I did find out they really were would probably scare me a bit I dont know why this is because I know they were lovely people. But perhaps one day I will see a medium. Thankyou Debbie

Debbie Another idea is to go to an Awareness Group,(spiritualist group)there you'll find people to talk to about healing and mediums.I go every so often and there are people from 17 upto 90yrs, all really lovely. Jude

I think this is turing into a really interesting thread!! I went to see a medium only once (but would love to go again if anyone wants to email me with details of anyone in Staffs to go to), I remember she made me laugh because before she started she took me to one side and said "Now dear, don't be disappointed if what they say doesn't make too much sense, if they talked rubbish when they were alive, they won't have changed now they are dead!" As it happens she never told me anything earth shattering, but did coime up with some little titbits that only my grandparents would have known, and again it left me with a wonderful feeling of peace and being loved and looked after. Maxine

Debra, Why be frightened? You may well have been one of your ancestors, and those that weren't are only a thought away. Now there's a thought! They would know of your fears and would never come too close unless you yourself gave your permission. Always see a medium who is reputable, and don't just go for the fortune telling; there are lots of sharks who should never take money without a good link and after all with a bit of common sense you could use your own intuition and tell them just what they tell you. There are some good mediums out there, but they may not be on your level of vibration. Learn to trust your gut feeling and you will be drawn to the right ones who link with love. Marion

There's no need to be afraid of your loved ones who've passed over. I don't need mediums to know when my daughter is 'visiting' us, which she does quite regularly, particularly when we have a special occasion, and the family is all together. She makes it quite obvious to everyone by making strange things happen which we can't ignore! The phenomena will only stop if I say, "OK, we know you're there - now that's enough!" She was a practical joker when she died at the age of 14, and nothing seems to have changed much! The one sure thing about it all is that it has proved to us all, without a shadow of a doubt, that there definitely is something else after we pass on. When I started researching my family history, I didn't know anything beyond my grandfather. When I discovered who my great-grandfather was, and his date of birth, I was really surprised. He had the same name as my father, and his birthday was 5th October 1846. My birthday is 5th October 1946! How about that for a coincidence! Janet Northamptonshire

Maxine Is'nt this good. I love anythng like this. My gran was a spiritualist and l was given a spiritual name at my christening.Believe it or not but its Bluebell,my sisters also have flower names - but Bluebell!!! Jude