You created a great and very interesting poll but the authorization to create polls was a mistake and I am sorry to say that for now I closed the authorization.
I voted Not Talking To Relatives Soon Enough. I started my genealogy search after my grandfather died in 1991 (see his picture in the top banner ). He could have given me so much information.
rfornal wrote:Not sure how to add it or if I can change a vote, but thanks for the comment ...
Edmondo wrote:You can't because 10 options is the maximum.
You created a great and very interesting poll but the authorization to create polls was a mistake and I am sorry to say that for now I closed the authorization.
Why Edmondo? it's a great way to get some interesting and useful dialogue going.
rfornal wrote:.....We all generally include our basic information, but how many of us include our story (as well as the story of our research) for future generations. I think I'd rather include my story instead of the questionable stories I hear about some of my family members.
LOL - I don't think you would want to hear 'Naughty' Nina's (my grandmother's) story. It would make your hair curl. Ask Nuccia - she laughed so much and suggested it should be made into a film!!!!!!
I think thats a fair comprimise. Its the best place for a poll. Especially for such an interesting topic such as this which is very useful when discussing our experiences in researching.
You know, come to think of it - I voted for trusting family stories, but asking relatives early enough has to be number one.
If I had dug through my great-grandmothers while they were still alive (on my mother's side they lived to be 90 and 100, respectively, and died about 10 years ago), I would have gotten a lot further, easier - and known many more stories - not to mention, would have gotten photos of certain people, which are now lost, forever.
I did make a point after their death to contact a great-great-grandaunt (yes, it was possible, not worth explaining) but she didn't have any information on my side of the family - although, hopefully her descended relatives might (the one I contacted was not cooperative, however).
Definitely, not talking to relatives soon enough is one's biggest mistake or rather regret. I have come to rely heavily on family legends and folklore, no matter how outlandish some of the stories may have sounded, the more I have investigated the more convince that these stories were true. Of, course - these are the "skeletons" in the closet and are nothing to brag about, but quite interesting just the same.
So my advise is to listen to those who want to talk, even if what they have to say sounds just a little weird... You will be surprise to find that even if the whole story is not 100% accurate, there is enoguh truth to help you in your quest.
Good topic...and talking about family legends, here's a story I find funny.
My g-grandmother's family was from Sicily. She always said her husband was Northern Italian. In fact, they fought quite a bit and listed that as part of the reason. (That he was from so far up north and they were so different).
Anyway- I find out years later that he was from Pettorano sul gizio in Abruzzo. (east of Rome). It's not Naples or Calabria but it's hardly what I would call 'way up north".
Guess everything is relative huh? For a Sicilian, that's probably Northern Italy.
and I am sorry to say that for now I closed the authorization. 
). He could have given me so much information.
