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Calling a person?

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Michael Kenefick

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Dec 19, 2009, 4:12:04 PM12/19/09
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Opinions wanted. I have some records for a family from 1920 Census /
1930 Census and obituaries. I have some 1870 Census / 1880 Census /
1900 Census and 1910 Census records for another family. A Daughter may
be common to both families. But I cannot tell for sure. On the earlier
census records her mother and father are listed as being from Ireland.
But on the latter census she (or the person completing the census)
stated they are from Connecticut, like herself. I have seen "changes"
like this before, especially after the parents die.

A son of Lucille / Lucy A. / Lacy Donahue (nee Kenefick) is still alive,
but he is very old based on the Census records. Should I try to contact
him by phone to see if his mother is the same person on each partial
tree? AKA verify his GF and GM's names.

Mike in Ohio

It is okay to reply all and BCC my e-mail.

Huntersglenn

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Dec 19, 2009, 4:32:46 PM12/19/09
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I've been faced with that kind of a decision before, when I discovered
that my grandfather's sister had married and had children that were
still living. I was in the same town where one of the children lived,
and spent hours debating about calling him. I finally chickened out in
favor of writing him - gave him all the information I had and why I
thought we were related and gave him my phone number. He called me and
we talked for about an hour (he had free long distance). I had offered
to call him back, so the call would be on my dime, but he was okay with
that.

Depending on how old this man is, he might have hearing difficulties.
My step-father is 91 and it's almost impossible to have a phone
conversation with him. Even face to face talks are often difficult,
depending on how much ambient noise is in the room. I think you'd be
better off writing him, explaining who you are and the questions you
have. Make it large type, maybe even double-spaced, to make it easier
for him to read it. Having it written out would help to eliminate him
misunderstanding you and what you're asking.

However you decide to go, I wish you luck,
Cathy

Joseph Pessarra

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Dec 19, 2009, 4:56:09 PM12/19/09
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Mike,

I agree with Cathy whole heartedly. I have had excellent results with
letters. Found a little gal I had not seen since 1941 with some help from a
poster on one of the genealogy news groups.

I wrote her a letter, telling her if she was not the right person, just to
forget the letter, and throw it away. If she was the right person, but not
interested in making contact, throw it away. But, if she was the right
person, I would appreciate a contact.

About one week later, I received a call on my cell phone. She said I had
the right person, and she was interested in contact. Have had an ongoing
written correspondence with her for a couple of years now, and met her in
person recently.

Lots of letters to people in Germany with my surname has gotten me loads of
information about my family.

Good luck.

Joe in Texas

"Huntersglenn" <hunter...@cox.net> wrote in message
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Me

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Jan 6, 2010, 8:59:11 PM1/6/10
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"Michael Kenefick" <kene...@copper.net> wrote in message
news:mkbXm.49852$cd7....@newsfe04.iad...

Write, if you like, but don't call.

Joseph Pessarra

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Jan 6, 2010, 9:25:12 PM1/6/10
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"Me" <meatacmewidgetsdotcom> wrote in message
news:B7SdnXBxaoRyotjW...@posted.isomediainc...

I agree. Write a letter. Have had good results doing that. Explain a lot
about your questions and give good info for him to be able to relate to it.
Have had poor results with phone calls. People think it might be a scam or
something. Good luck.

Joe in Texas


Michael Kenefick

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Feb 12, 2010, 10:03:37 AM2/12/10
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Thanks for all the input. I sent a letter about a week or 10 days ago.
Waiting to see what (if anything) happens.

Mike

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