The public ceremony in which your distinguished ancestor participated and at which the platform collapsed under him, turned out to be a hanging. II. When at last, after much hard work, you have solved the mystery you have been worrying on for two years, your aunt says, "I could have told you that." III. Your grandmother's maiden name, that you have searched for in the last four years, was on a letter in a box in the attic all the time. IV. You never asked your father about his family when he was alive because you were not interested in genealogy then. V. The Will you need is in the safe on board the Titanic. VI. Copies of old newspapers have holes occurring only on your surnames. VII. John, son of Thomas, the immigrant whom your relatives claim as the family progenitor, died on board ship at age 10. VIII. Your great grandfather's newspaper obituary states that he died, leaving no issue of record. IX. The keeper of the vital records you need has just been insulted by another genealogist. (DO NOT INSULT KEEPERS OF RECORDS!) X. The relative who had all the family photographs, gave them all to her daughter who has no interest in genealogy and no inclination to share. XI. The only record you find for your great grandfather is that his property was sold at a sheriff's sale for insolvency. |
