Has anyone looked potential relatives up in the phone book or on line directory and written to them asking for information and help in your family tree research? I am looking for ideas on what to say and what not to say or even a form letter that you have used with success. No point in re inventing the wheel if someone has something useful. Thanks Judy Quinn [email protected] -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.26/516 - Release Date: 06-11-03

Hi Judy, I would say keep it very simple. Show your interest in "their" country or county either from your travels or from something you have read about. Ask about their line a generation or two back), especially maiden names. Ask if they are aware of some in the family who emigrated and ask about location and time frame. I would think that a long letter with lots of names and dates you have collected might be overwhelming. If they express interest by contacting you, then ask them a bit more. Remember - responders may not be as aware (or interested in) FH and genealogy as those of us on this list. Having said that, I have corresponded with some overseas local historians and authors who have provided me with information; in turn, I often purchased and enjoyed reading their books. I have had success with overseas letters by first purchasing 2-3 IRC (International Reply Coupons) at my main postoffice in the States, enclosing same with my query. In this way, if they want to respond to me they can take those IRCs to their local postoffice and use prepaid (by me) Irish stamps for their reply. In that way, they won't be out anything and may even come out ahead. I usually send a pretty "thank-you" note card and/or something "American" with a second letter, if they have been especially kind in their response to my letter, such as a small book of American short stories, poetry or a calendar by Norman Rockwell. If you don't have a complete address, oftentimes just a name and the name of the village will do. The postman likely knows just where they live. Of course, that wouldn't apply to a larger city. Jean ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Quinn" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 1:47 PM Subject: [IGW] Writing to potential relativies > > Has anyone looked potential relatives up in the phone book or on line > directory and written to them asking for information and help in your > family tree research? I am looking for ideas on what to say and what > not to say or even a form letter that you have used with success. No > point in re inventing the wheel if someone has something useful. > > Thanks > Judy Quinn > [email protected] > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.26/516 - Release Date: 06-11-03 > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > -- > This message has been scanned for viruses and > dangerous content by MailScanner, and is > believed to be clean. >

> You've struck a nerve here! While in Ireland, I looked up all Carnahans, Kernohans and any other way to spell it. I wrote to all. Received one response from a gentleman who has since removed himself. He advised that all members of Clan Cearnacháin that he knew had a philosophy. "God keeps the only lists that need keeping". In other words, the members of Clan Cearnacháin keep to themselves. And they have from the earliest recorded times. I have been able to track them back through history and found that they were a warrior clan, famous for victory and valor in battle. However, they left few tracks. On this side of the pond, many of them did the same. I spent a fortune on postage and got virtually nothing in return. It seems that we Irish who left are the ones who care about our ancestors the most. Good luck. Bess Carnahan, researching Clan Cearnacháin > Has anyone looked potential relatives up in the phone book or on line > directory and written to them asking for information and help in your > family tree research? I am looking for ideas on what to say and what > not to say or even a form letter that you have used with success. No > point in re inventing the wheel if someone has something useful. > > Thanks > Judy Quinn > [email protected] > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.26/516 - Release Date: > 06-11-03 > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message