"It is never that like that..."
...I shouted at the television. I was watching the latest edition of "Who Do You Think You Are?" and doesn't it make it look oh so easy.. Sigh...
I am sorry, but contrary to the impression given by such an otherwise great programme, it is simply not possible to walk into a record office and ask for 'your own brown envelope' containing all the certificates that you will ever need. Nor is it generally possible for most people to jet-set around the world to meet strangers who can instantly tell you all about your ancestors. I suppose that is the 'magic' of television, but the reality is that for such a fun hobby, family history research can be really frustrating at times.
It was when talking to a lovely lady in the refreshment area of Surrey History Centre one day about how she was getting on with her family history since starting a few months previously, that it dawned on me how anyone's initial enthusiasm can very quickly evaporate with the realities of genealogical research. There is so much information available in online and physical resources, but how do you find out what of this wealth of data is actually relevant to your researches? Then what happens when it is? What do you do with it anyway?
Even the most experienced researcher needed to start sometime and that is why this website was created; to help, guide and show that genealogy can be fun and even one of the most satisfying things that you can ever do for yourself and your children.
Good researching - John