Hello from Brooklyn, New York

[maryminga]

Hi, everyone, i'm new here and hope I'm posting on the correct site. There are so many to choose from. My great grandmother was Constance Mary Hazel, daughter of Harriet Mary Ann Harmer, and Richard Hazel, son of Charles Hazel and Mary Cutting. Richard died at age 22 while Mary was just a few months old. Harriet remarried a John Staff and moved to the to the United States settling in New Jersey. I've been researching the Hazel's, Cuttings, and now the Harmers, all from Norfolk, England. I'd like to know if anyone out there is also from this family line. It would be great to hear from a long lost relative.

[Geoffers]

Welcome to the forums. The best place to post a message specific to an area is on the relevant county forum. For Norfolk this is
http://www.british-genealogy.com/for...play.php?f=108

At the top of the list of messages on the Norfolk board are a couple of threads with details of useful web-sites which relate to Norfolk, you might find them helpful.

In particular, try the Norfolk Surnames List http://uk.geocities.com/davidbooty@...ames/Index.html
for others researching the same names.

Where and when in Norfolk were your Hazells, Cuttings and Harmers from? These are names which occur quite frequently in Norfolk

Geoffers

[maryminga]

Richard and Harriet lived in Stalham. He was born in Barton Turf and Harriet in Tunstead. Mary Cutting was born in Lessingham. Her father Miles was born in Lessingham.

[Geoffers]

Ah, I recognise these details from a posting on another message board somewhere else. Have you found details of Richard with his parents in the 1871 and 1861 census?

Looks like Charles HASLE was bapt in 1829 at Barton Turf, the son of William and
Ann (late NORGATE)

Geoffers

[maryminga]

Yes, I have. I'm fairly new at this. I was reading a book about a month and a half ago about the ancient Celts and I thought to myself, "You really don't know where you came from". And now I'm addicted. This side of the family I'm researching now are from my great grandmother, Constance Mary. With the help of a family member here who worked with the New Jersey Genealogical Society, my great grandfather's side is almost wrapped up. They've also been traced back to England---the Mapes, Dickinsons, and Purriers who ventured to the United States and settled Southhold, Long Island in the 1600's. I say almost wrapped up because, alas, I may never find my Irish roots. My father's birth mother was Irish, but a record of his birth was never filed. I never met her and never knew her name. I've sent for his social security application, but if she's not listed on there, I'm pretty much up a creek. My dad and his twin were raised by Mary Constance which is why I never knew her.

[Geoffers]

Yes, I have. I'm fairly new at this. I was reading a book about a month and a half ago about the ancient Celts and I thought to myself, "You really don't know where you came from".......With the help of a family member here who worked with the New Jersey Genealogical Society, my great grandfather's side is almost wrapped up.

Of course, it all depends on what you mean by 'almost wrapped up' and what you would like to find out about your family.

I've been researching for over 30 years, I've obtained a fair amount of information - but to locate everything else that I'd like to find - to get it all 'wrapped up' is likely to take another 30 years, or more.

There are still many workhouse records and parish registers to view. There are the militia ballot lists, court records, subsidies and musters, I've only scratched the surface of the licences to alienate and inquisitions post mortem. I still have some military records to locate, manor court records to translate, wills, journals, etc. The list is very long.

If you are happy to just locate the barebones of names and dates, to accept the IGI as proof, you may well have completed a substantial family tree. But I would urge you to look further and deeper into the background and local history and that way you gain a better understanding of your family - but this will take a lot longer than 6 weeks.

Geoffers

[maryminga]

Wow, I've been a whole day trying to get in. Yes, I admit I do have a ways to go. On my great grandfather's side it was pretty easy because so much has been written about my ancestors because they were amongst the founders of Southold, Long Island. As a result, it was easy getting the necessary paperwork to prove everything. there are, however, some holes. We have a birth certificate listing my great great grandfather's parents, but can't find them anyplace. My Irish side I may never find. i don't even have a first name for my grandmother; my dad's birth was never recorded, so really don't know where to turn if no record of social security application. Haven't even started on my mom's side...my German ancestors.

So, when I said wrapped up it was basically that one part of the family line. Still at work on my great grandmother's lineage and I thank you for pointing the way. You know, when I think of Richard and his dying so young I am sad, but then I think, if he hadn't died so young, Harriet would never have married John Staff and moved to the U.S. In that case, I wouldn't be here now.

[joette]

Yes Mary in my case it worked in reverse.My McKimmie Great-Grandparents were all sold up & tickets bought & they were heading to Niagara to join other Mckimmie rellies out there when my Granny's elder brother became ill.
He contracted a type of TB through drinking unpasturised milk.The family stayed put & he eventually died.Not a pleasant death & for some reason my GGrandmother blamed her Mother for the illness.
Many years later my Grandfather came to the area for treatment of his WW1 wounds & Granny was working in the hospital.
So if not for death & War I would not be here or would be a different person.If that makes any sense.

[Ed Bradford]

Welcome aboard Mary. As you’ve already found out this is a very friendly forum and willing to help. As Geoffers has stated, creating the family skeleton is really the first step. Putting the meat on the bones is the next, never ending, step. Like Geoffers, I’ve learned that genealogy is a work in progress. You’ll never really finish. Good luck on your quest. If we can be of help, don’t hesitate to ask. …………..Ed