On 21 Jun 2005, at 08:41, 894moo-poo wrote: > Why shaking the family tree can be bad for your health > By Elizabeth Day > (Filed: 17/04/2005) > > Genealogists want psychotherapy to be made available for people who > stumble > across unpleasant discoveries while researching their family history. Anyone who sets out to trace their ancestors must be extremely naive at best and plain stupid at worst if they they truly believe they will not come across some 'dodgy' situations and facts. I know that my grandfather, Stephen BULL b Andover 1859, was on the run from something. He was certainly a dodgy character and never gave accurate details of himself. Made it very difficult to track him back thru time. My dad's sister was an illegitimate half sister. I was born in November, mum and dad married in September the same year. I cannot find a marriage for my mum's parents. If it wasn't for the summary convictions and removal orders going back to c17th. I would not have sorted out my BULL ancestry at all. What should I do? Leave their names off the family tree? I think that it's all a bloody big hoot. Perhaps we should have a "Confessions" session to post our naughty ancestors. On the other hand, maybe great-grandma did a favour to pay off the back rent and me great-granddad isn't who I thought it was. DNA testing should let a few cats out of the bag - straight into the chicken coop. Ernie Bull Bristol