Hello to you all

[dougalgeorge]

I am very, very new to this family tree stuff. I have just started quizzing all my relatives to find out info to get me started. I came from the North East of England (Crawcrook and Sunniside) to live in Cyprus nearly 3 years ago now. No regrets. My husband and I run a business cleaning and maintaining swimming pools and we are really busy. My cousins have researched my Fathers` side of the family but nobody to my knowledge has done my Mothers` side and luckily I think that their name is less common. (it`s Blackbird and Aspinall) I am really looking forward to this, I just wish my Mother would phone me so I can grill her for places and dates. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Looking forward to getting to know you all better. Are there any Blackbirds out there?

 

[benny1982]

Hi Dougalgeorge

welcome to the FHUK forums.

Do you know the names of your mothers parents? This is a good starting point.

Ben

 

[juliejtp]

Hi Dougalgeorge,

A warm welcome to FHUK. Good luck with your research

 

[dougalgeorge]

Hello again. Thanks for your messages of welcome. I know that my Grandfather was called William Norvell Blackbird, born 22/6/1907 in Gateshead. My Grandmother, Marjorie (nee Aspinall) I think was born in Hyde, or somewhere around there. My Mother is at this very minute trawling through all her wardrobes and nooks and crannies looking for anything that might help me. I`ve only just started looking and already I am hooked. Living in Cyprus doesn`t make it any easier but I like a challenge. p.s. those of you living in the UK will be glad to know that it`s been raining for the last two days here in `sunny` Cyprus. Never mind, gives me an excuse to stay in and browse the internet for info. Best wishes to you all.

 

[benny1982]

Hi Dougalgeorge

I found William Norvell Blackbirds birth in the indexes. The birth cert will give you parents names. Do you know of any brothers or sisters that he had at all?

What source of info did you get his date of birth from?

Ben

 

[pejay]

hello and welcome good luck with your searches, do you have your grandfathers marriage or birth certificate? lucky you in Cyprus, a bit of rain -
no problem it was hopefully warm? it is snowing here need a bit of warm sunshine

 

[sterico]

Hi

Welcome to the FHUK forums.
We wish you continued success in your research, and may your brick walls be demolished!
If you require help all you need to do is,
Post your requests, with as much information as you already have, on the appropriate forum/s, and our friendly and helpful members will help you as much as they can.
Again welcome and we hope you enjoy your time here on FHUK.
Best regards sterico

 

[dougalgeorge]

My Mother knew my Grandfathers birth date. He has/had a sister called Mona. I know he worked for the Co-op in Manchester, where he met my Grandmother, I think she was his secretary. I would love to know where the Norvell came from, I assume it`s a family name. Hopefully time will tell. My Mother did have his birth cert at some time and is looking for it for me. If she can`t find it, getting a new one is my next step. Good move?

 

[juliejtp]

Hi,

There are various Hydes ..... what county is it in?

 

[dougalgeorge]

redf) Sorry, Hyde near Manchester.

 

[pejay]

Hi yes I think it is a very good idea to get a birth cert, and you can work back from there, with the best will in the world family can get details WRONG, it is good to ask family what they remember but the only way to validate the facts is with the certs

 

[dougalgeorge]

My Mother has come up trumps. She has my Grandparents` Birth Certs and I think maybe even something about my Great Grandad, I think it might be his death cert. I remember him from when I was a child so that would be the 70s. Speaking to Mother on phone tomorrow night, and can`t wait to get started. I found a site last night of the village where I think my Great Great Grandad (or before) lived and would you believe it had a bit on it about someone with the same name and about the local leek show and that he worked as manager at the local Co-Op as manager for 36 years (which is a bit of a coincidence as my Grandfather worked for the Co-Op as well, but one in Manchester)-and he grew a darn good leek!

 

[pejay]

Hi that is really good news, I am so pleased for you, good luck with other searches