General Chat

Has anyone else got a family as helpfull as mine? I asked my family what info they had to help me and this is what I got: 2 branches were buried at Highgate Cemetry so I thought ok I will check it out on net only to find it is now London Tourist attraction!!!! grandad was at Arnhem as despatch rider in war with RAF (dont know what regiment). ok check it out only to find just about half RAF there!!! The Berry side of family came from Norfolk and the Gray side were also there for a while, turns out half Norfolk populated by Berry's and other half by Gray's!!! Along with these were the other helpfull 'the child that drowned in canal in London aged 7 but dont know when' G.Grandad had brothers and sisters but dont know anything about them. The list goes on. I think I have learnt more history in last week than ever did at school and loved every minute of it :-)

Oh dear Susanne, and there seems to be a minimal amount of free information about Norfolk on the internet!!! You don't sound too disheartened and I'm sure the lovely people on this site can help you.

We spent ages looking for info on someone who (we had been told) went to Australia - turned out they had gone to America! From the same source we were told that none of the family had been buried in a certain cemetery - turned out there were at least a dozen. Great Grandfather owned a farm - turned out he was a casual worker there!

Late start today, decided to give my family a break and try and help a friend with her tree only to hit a brick wall there, up till 3am trying to break it down. Posted a message on tips board to try and get some answers ( is 1901 census complete?) and now I am really scared, How many variations could there be of Berry and Gray?!!!....Oh well back to the research, Latest bit of family info is there was a brewery in the family in Norfolk on the Berry side, found Brewers Servent wonder if that counts?! Wendy, I am so pleased for you, after a false start it must be like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.... Theresa, Yes had Grays (and probably still do for all I know) in London, they were in the Islington area but that is one of my walls at the moment, got to grandfather Charles Edward but not any further yet. Now going to write to aunt in Australia to see what she knows. I have got some Gray dates printed off from 1837 site so let me know if you want a look-up and I will see if I can help. By the way does anyone know how long certificates take, I sent for one middle of last week with all ref. no's and not here yet. Right now where was I?...........Oh yes Brewrey inNorfolk, Here goes...........

In my experience certificates (ordered online) take approx 7-10 days to arrive. Yours may be quicker if you have a decent postal service, ours in Milton Keynes is appalling. I also have a family that keeps dropping little snippets of information that may seem irrelevant to them but have great importance to me ! Like for instance, I only learned last week that my father had an older sister than died as a child, as well as the 4 sisters and two brothers that I knew about...

Oh Wendy, are'nt they a trial!!!Whose mum wants a smack bott then? Followed by a big hug and kiss. Oohh I bet it was wonderful for you though!!! Doreen, have you decided yet? Love Norah

Susanne, At the end of last year certificates seemed to be taking exactly 7 days. The one I had today was ordered on 26 Jan so nine days. they have posted a message to say they are very busy. Ann Glos

Probably get mine next month then knowing our postal service...Got another 5 birth certificates to order now wonder if they do bulk discounts? :-) Just found out another bit of family info wrong, Nan told me she was younger than her sister, turns out nan is older! Exasperated Gasp!!!

LOL Kathryn You sure we haven't got the same nan?! By the way I got my certificate at last!!! So much for their 4 days! Only thing now is that in the time it took to get this one, I now need 4 others for me plus 2 for a friend!! Oh well at least there is no new family info, I dare not phone my nan just in case........

Susanne & Theresa: There is a Gray family living, or they were, in Northolt, Middlesex (St. Mary's Parish) Islip Manor Road, in 1960's. I don't know if this could be of any help. Happy hunting!

Thankyou Linda I have noted that down cause with the rate my family move around you never know! :-)

Family Info Update.....Turns out the brewery is in the Gray side of the family NOT the Berry side!!!!!!!!!!! Why am I not suprised........