[Nathan]

My grandmother hired a professional genealogist who was able to tie one of her lines into British royalty. I guess the records of British royalty have been kept so well that they tie in to biblical lines and so my grandmother showed me every generation in our family back to Adam and Eve. So, I guess the point is that if you can tie into British royalty, you can find your line all the way back to the beginning. How many generations can you go back?

[Montraviatommygun]

Don't know if I have any ties with the Royal family, if I went back that far. All I know is that my son has gone as far back as for as about 1700 on one side of the family. On my mum's side of the family I wish I could find out more as she is descended from th MacDonald clan ..... sigh!

[Nathan]

That's great getting back to the 1700s. Was he able to find any interesting stories or facts?

[Montraviatommygun]

Unfortunately no interesting stories or facts as yet .... only the usual 'skeletons in th cupboards' such as having children out of wedlock then getting married.

Hope to trace back on my mum's side though as my nan, her mother, was a MacDonald. We do know though that we are related to the MacDonalds that were killed at the 'Massacre of Glencoe'. The MacDonalds and Campbells have always hated each other and hundreds of years ago the Campbells laid a feast out for the MacDonalds on the pretext of laying to rest their differences. After the feast the Campbells murdered the MacDonalds in their sleep.

[beth]

I've been doing my family tree for about five years, and on one side have managed to get back to the mid-1700s, too. I've also met lots of distant cousins who I otherwise would never have met and we all share our material with each other. It's always exciting to get a "hit", i.e. finally find a long-lost ancestor, whose name you can add to the upper branches of the tree. Ultimately, doing the family tree always makes me appreciative of the improved quality of life that we have, compared to our ancestors. And looking back at all the names that go back for generations makes me think about the legacy that they have all given me --life! I'd love to hear from other family tree fanatics.

[babydawn]

My mom has done our family history back to the 1500's, in a couple of cases even to the 1200 or 1300's. So I feel she has covered my family. However, on my husbands side not a lot has been done and I have just started looking into it the last few weeks...Any pointers would be great.

[karen]

The Mormons maintain the largest and most complete geneology files in the world. Anyone is welcome to use their library on line (for a fee of course) Good luck.

[karen]

Hi babydawn --
The Mormons maintain the largest and most extensive geneolohy records in the world at their library in Salt Lake City. Anyone may use their facility (on line). There is a fee of course, but they do have the best of resources. Good luck.
Karen

[beth]

Originally Posted by babydawn

My mom has done our family history back to the 1500's, in a couple of cases even to the 1200 or 1300's. So I feel she has covered my family. However, on my husbands side not a lot has been done and I have just started looking into it the last few weeks...Any pointers would be great.

Your mom is probably the best person to ask, sounds like she has done a great job! But if she's not around, the best place to start is by contacting all your older relatives to get information from them. All of it may not be correct, but it will give you a starting point. Next thing is to collect birth, death and marriage certificates. These will tell you lots of information that you can use as a springboard to finding the next generation back, and so on. This is where the back account can take a battering unfortunately! It can be very frustrating, especially the further back you go, but it's so exciting when you actually strike paydirt! It's a harmless but fun addiction. Lots of luck!

[abilitylink]

I've gotten my family history back to 1265 when the first Robert Fierre left Scotland for France and became Ferree. I have a copy of three different coats of arms for the family from various times. They were Hugenots and came to America in 1708 from the Palantine. I'm working on a book about this side of the family.
Beth