My Great Grandfather, was ashamed of his father, and tried to discourage his sons from looking into the family history. Evidently, he must have grown up with a stigma around his parents not being married. Needless to say, both of his sons became interested in only one thing..... ancestry. What was being hidden???
Well, yes, his father didn't marry his mother, infact, turned up to the church at one stage to get married, and was kicked out, in front of his children, because he pulled out a flask of alcohol at the end of the ceremony, and said, "Let's drink to that!" And yes, it turns out, his mother was descended from convicts, which was still shameful at the time. It is more popular now. But, on the other side, a Judge who became most well known because of his public divorce, and british politicians, and connections back to kings.
So, my grandfather and his brother, chased down every detail they could find, hidden about the family. My father was brought into it, probably seeing it as a way, to get his father interested in him. And then likewise, I was brought up, watching my father and grandfather chasing down the tree, before internet. And in part, genealogy is a way to unsuccessfully get the attention of your parents, but it has been very interesting as well, and somewhat addictive, finding new pieces of information here and there.
Having read through Sherlock Holmes, chasing down the clues, trying to find the story, trying to find the connection, has been hugely rewarding. Lots of fun.
Interestingly, my grandfather was still influenced by his father though, because many of the things which he has found and retold from our family history, has always been skewed to only show the things that he can take pride in. He ignores the lack of marriage, and doesn't explore the half of his fathers family, that came from convicts. I tend to search, to reveal everything, good or bad.
