One photo worth every penny of subs

[Pam Downes]

I daren't reckon up how much I've spent over the years on family history (my only vice, as I don't smoke or drink, and hate shopping!) but tonight the cost became immaterial.

FMP have just loaded Merchant Navy Seaman's records, and as usual I typed in 'my' surname, idly scrolled down the alpha list of names and suddenly stopped short. Thomas Frederick born 1900? That's granddad, my brain screamed. Clicked and found details of his tattoo , and a photo of a young-ish him.

Then my eyes went to the entry above. Thomas born 1875? No, that's not possible. Oh yes it was. Great granddad - and a photo. None of us have seen a photo of great granddad. So I'm


to put it mildly.
And to top it all, there's a photo of one of granddad's brothers.

I have finally managed to close my mouth - my jaw literally dropped open for a good couple of minutes in sheer disbelief when I first saw the names.

I thought I had got my money's worth from my sub on Ancestry the other year when I found a load of baptisms and marriages on the London databases, but those three photos certainly beat PR entries for value.

FMP - I love you!

Pam

[Allanah]

Fantstic story, what a thrill for you.

Allanah

[susan-y]

Pam...

I'm very happy for you and bet you did a huge "happy dance"! I am looking forward to the next series when they have the merchant marines starting at 1835..none of mine are as recent as yours.

Enjoy the moment

sue

Ps...Congratulations on your 4000th post as well...that's a lot of help for folks over the years.

[Ladkyis]

~does the happy dance for Pam~

Fantastic!

[Jan1954]

Havng met you, Pam, I can just imagine the grin on your face!

I am chuffed to little mintballs for you!

[Pam Downes]

Thank you everyone for your comments, and congratulations.
I don't know about a happy dance - I'm still in a state of shock and disbelief at finding the photos.

And Jan - welcome back. It's been very quiet without you.
If you're not quite 100% fit again, I hope you soon will be.

Pam

[Jonesy]

I'm jealous, but also very happy for you. Well done!

[Liane Hawes]

Pam that's absolutely fantastic. As with Notanotherminer I am sadly lacking in family photographs so am very jealous but sooo very pleased for you - I'm surprised you've managed to pick your jaw up yet!!

[Sue Mackay]

That one's for Pam



That one's for me! I have just found two records for my husband's grandfather. The first has his correct date of birth and is more or less the same as the ID booklet we have for him. The second has his dob as 1880 instead of 1883 (correct day and month, so probably someone read a 3 as a 0) but it is most definitely him, not just because of the unusual middle names, but because the photo of him as a young man 'matches' the one we have for him taken some 40 years later!

Thanks so much for the prod, Pam. I got an e-mail from FMP yesterday, but because I have had to become a full time carer recently for an elderly relative I have had a great deal on my plate. This prompted me to go and have a look, and has perked me up no end.

[LittleSpark]

Well done to Pam and Sue - I've checked for my grandfather but he's not there, so maybe he joined after 1941?

Hope you've both managed to pick yourselves up off the floor with excitement now - so pleased for you both.
Photos are lovely to have.

Sheila