Mad or obsessed?

[Zen Rabbit]

Having traced as much of my father's direct line as I can (though a few details remain to be found) I find myself embarking on tracing all the side shoots. This seems to be born out of a) boredom b) curiosity concerning what happened to all those lines that I used to get confused with my main line c) out and out obsession. Has anyone else done this or am I just a sad git who doesn't know when to quit

[LittleSpark]

You're not the only one - I too have done the 'side-shoots' when I've come to a standstill on the direct lines and found some fascinating facts about other members of the families.
So yes, I'm also a sad git who doesn't know when to quit.....we can't be the only ones can we?

Sheila

[sandiep]

no we are not sad.......tracing family never stops ......sideshoots are still family and often help to find the direct line you havent before found.....
I have even started on my childrens husbands & wives!! for the grandchildren of course!!!!!!!!
happy searching sandie

[Thomasin]

No, you are not the only ones. Sideshoots and wrong turnings always seem to be more interesting than the right branches, but I am grateful to sandiep for a jolly good excuse for exploring them -

sideshoots ........ often help to find the direct line you havent before found

[JenniLl]

Who needs an excuse?!

Jenni

[Thomasin]

Nobody! Perhaps justification would be a better word!

[Jan1954]

In one branch of my family, the side-shoots started growing back into the main trunk! 'Twas like trying to knit fog and I ended up undertaking quite a little study of one particular village.

I have now realised that I am related to most of the people still living there, one way or another!

[Zen Rabbit]

Hoo! That sounds like my wife's family. She always dreaded doing her family tree at school as she could never remember all the different connections.

[terrysfamily]

I had this given to me by Jan1954. I think it's time to pass it on

Although, I could be here all night at this rate.

[Coromandel]

It's an incurable disease, I'm afraid, Zen. In extreme cases, sufferers don't even restrict themselves to their own family trees, but will tackle anybody's family tree to feed their addiction.