Here is a thought for you..... Years ago while in C.B. I phoned a man (he was 83 yrs.) I had often heard about but no one seemed to know how he was connected to my family. His wife answered the phone (luckily), when I told her why I was calling she knew he would have been very interested but unfortunately, he now suffered from a bit of "dementia". She said he did have good days though and maybe he might be able to converse with me that day, (she just wanted to make sure I understood the situation). His memory just wasn't up to it so I didn't learn anything other than a valuable lesson for future research .... don't hesitate to phone and no matter how you are received (they may be having a bad day), be prepared to "think outside the box". The person you are calling may be old, living alone and very lonely and your cheerful conversation may be the only voice they heard all day! Bernardine ----- Original Message ----- From: "lauren macdonald" <swayball20@yahoo.com> To: "cape breton mailing list" <ns-cape-breton@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 10:20 AM Subject: Re: [NS-CB] what would you do - update >I called him back - no, he would not like to take my number, but he >wouldn't mind if I send him the information that I have - Oh well, we'll >see :( > > --- On Wed, 10/22/08, lauren macdonald <swayball20@yahoo.com> wrote: > From: lauren macdonald <swayball20@yahoo.com> > Subject: [NS-CB] what would you do - update > To: "cape breton mailing list" <ns-cape-breton@rootsweb.com> > Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 10:14 AM > > :( :( :( > so, I called... > me: "HI, I am looking for Nathaniel MacDonald" > he: "This is he" > me: "My name is Lauren MacDonald, I found your information at the Beaton > Institue in Cape breton when I was there last year doing family research. > It > seems that your grandfather and my great grandfather, were brothers." > he: "Oh, really? I don't remember doing that, how long ago was > that?" > me: "1985" > he: "see, my memory doesn't go back that far" > me: "I had written you a letter last year and thought maybe I should try > you again" > he: "I don't remember a letter" > me: "well, I'm glad I tried again" > he: " ya" > me: " I wondered if maybe we could get together sometime to talk about > family and I could show you what I have" > he: "well, I'm not really able to do that right now, but thanks > anyway, - ok, bye" > > DARN! Maybe I was too pushy? Maybe I should call back and leave him my > number? > and/or send him some information on my /our family? > > aaargh!