So, where was your ancestor in 1485?

Wouldn't it be exciting to have an idea of where ones ancestors were, way back when, and to be able to put together an approximation of the life they led?  I don't expect many of us can and indeed how could we, if we don't have blue blood running through our veins!

But the thought is awfully appealing, if terribly unrealistic. 

So let's come forward by a few hundred years, and see who's ancestors were up and doing things.  Perhaps a diary, or some correspondence, details of dates of a life lived and survived, now wouldn't that be an exciting thing to be able to own up to, and be jolly proud of, hey?

Well, we're coming up for the 100th anniversary of the start of the Great War, in 1914.  Now I had a grandfather who was caught up in that tragedy, and I'm sure there must be other people, like me, with distant relatives also involved in that awful war.

And great grandchildren, who've heard tales of their forebears deeds and triumphs.

So let's take the year 1914 and ask, do you know of somebody who was doing their bit for the Great War, and where they were, and if they survived the horror of it all, or did they succumb to that terrible time, somewhere?

The thought is mesmerising and dreadful, both at the same time,, and I should be enthralled to hear of anyones stories and details of that time, if they felt at liberty to share their family history with me?

My grandfather was an army driver and he served abroad in the Great War, and then he came home and got on with the job of working and providing for his family; and he suffered acutely from his war - and life went on.

Of course, war is a grisly business; perhaps we should fast forward to another time and place?  Let's suggest the 1950's, when we're recovering from WW2 and war is behind us...but no, there was Korea in the '50's.  Bother, this war business is almost a constant.

OK so we'll fast-forward again to the 1960's and ask, do you remember what your parents were doing back then; or possibly even yourself?

I was a school girl and not a very happy one, at that, but I guess I got over those feelings and grew up, but I was  not keeping a diary back then, so have no real memories from that time.

Does anyone have such memories and wouldn't  it be good to construct a wide-ranging collective memory data-base for such details as could be remembered?

I'm already, slowing, compiling a list for myself and would be very glad to hear from anyone  who is possibly doing the same/

I do hope I'm not talking to myself.......

Daisy