Family Tree anyone?

[powderfinger]

So now that my missing bandmate has been found, its onto my next project (which has been brewing for a while). I have a pretty extensive knowledge of my mom's side of the family. I have met all of her kin pretty much, and know who is who.

However, my dads family is a mystery. His father left home as a teenager to fight in WW2. When he came back to the USA, he married my grandmother and settled in the Carolinas. My grandfather to my knowledge, had no siblings, etc.

My dad's mother though, had a brother who moved to Massachusetts after himself serving in WW2. He married a lady from Mass. and had 3 kids, all of whom have children and some grandchildren as well. Ive never in my life met them, or knew they existed until I found a written family tree, which was in storgage with old documents, photos, etc.

In my 35 yrs, Ive never laid eyes on them, and I dont know if they know we even exist down here in Dixie.

Would anyone find it odd/weird/creepy to hit them up on Facebook or anything? Send em' a msg, letting them know who I am? How I found them?

[powderfinger]

PS- there is no bad blood that I know if. My grandmother had flown to visit her brother several times over the years while she was alive.

[MatticusMania]

My uncle had a daughter with his wife a few years before my older sister was born. He became a junkie, his wife left with their kid, and my father took on a role in his brother's life, mostly being the guy the gov. sent his brothers checks to (he was in the Navy and was getting money for some reason or other).

My uncle died on the streets San Francisco about 13 years ago.

Last Spring my sister gets hit up on her FB or Myspace page. It was a woman, a few years older than my sister, asking if she was so and so, if her parents were Mr. & Mrs. My Parents.

So, what Im saying is, no, its not creepy, this kind of thing happens probably way more often than any of us even know. I know there have been Maury episodes about people who were reunited thru FB and whatnot.

[powderfinger]

I hope it wouldnt be creepy. I did find my 2nd cousin's Facebook site already. His profile was private, but his avatar was him playing guitar onstage at a club. Thats reason enough to want to connect!

[powderfinger]

However, one of the other cousins, I can tell by his avatar is a "hipster'... ironic mustache.... headband.... PBR in hand..... I will proceed with caution on that one.

[MatticusMania]

Hipsters are alright people, I dont know why they get so much hate, really. Theyre just like anyone else who acts in a ridiculous manner. Before them it was the emo kids, then the scensters, now hipsters. Theyre all just trying to find their place in the mixed up, muddled up, shook up world. Except for Lola.

L-O-L-A Lola.

Lo-lo-lo-lo Lola

[Staccato]

Actually, my grandfather's family went off the map after he died at a fairly young age. So, I broke the ice and contacted that part of the family-a few years ago (there was one remaining sibling, a brother). Amazingly enough, he was still alive and served as a Navy pilot in WWII (Naval Aviator). We are all glad that I found the family through an obituary on the Internet, and web-based phone records.

Following months of hesitation, I finally picked up the phone, and made that first call. Fortunately, I was able to establish a constant relationship with him, and various members of the family. His wife and daughter are still living, and the daughter (my cuz) recently contacted me to ask how I'm doing, and share some news. How cool is that!

[powderfinger]

I think Hipsters get a bad rap because, unlike the counter-culture kids of previous generations, this group is the most condescending ever... I think the intent is more themselves to be more "hip" than you or me. By wearing dirty sweaters, tight jeans, drinking PBR, and going to indie shows, they somehow are superior the average man.

Hippies, emos, goths, etc were always "nice" enough, ya know. Hipsters act like theyre too good to talk to anyone besides other hipsters. Its so pretentious.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by powderfinger

I think Hipsters get a bad rap because, unlike the counter-culture kids of previous generations, this group is the most condescending ever... I think the intent is more themselves to be more "hip" than you or me. By wearing dirty sweaters, tight jeans, drinking PBR, and going to indie shows, they somehow are superior the average man.

Hippies, emos, goths, etc were always "nice" enough, ya know. Hipsters act like theyre too good to talk to anyone besides other hipsters. Its so pretentious.

Ive never gotten that reaction from them. Maybe you guys just arent cool enough.

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by Stacatto

Actually, my grandfather's family went off the map after he died at a fairly young age. So, I broke the ice and contacted that part of the family-a few years ago (there was one remaining sibling, a brother). Amazingly enough, he was still alive and served as a Navy pilot in WWII (Naval Aviator). We are all glad that I found the family through an obituary on the Internet, and web-based phone records.

Following months of hesitation, I finally picked up the phone, and made that first call. Fortunately, I was able to establish a constant relationship with him, and various members of the family. His wife and daughter are still living, and the daughter (my cuz) recently contacted me to ask how I'm doing, and share some news. How cool is that!

Thats awesome. But my concern I guess is that 2nd cousins and great uncles might be too distant to contact???

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Ive never gotten that reaction from them. Maybe you guys just arent cool enough.

I dunno why... I have drank PBR and High Life before... Ive worn a few trucker hats... I had some tight jeans once... of course, all of this was 20 years ago... BUT>.. ya know what im sayn

[MatticusMania]

Aside from being found with a PBR in my hand because Im being cheap, the average hipster and I have nothing in common.

- The most 'obscure' band I listen to is probably Sonic Youth
- I hate [wearing] skinny jeans with a passion (couldnt care less if someone else is wearing them)
- I wear my hair chaved to a #1
- I dont own a fixed gear bike (or any bike at all)
- No piercings or any of that ilk

Though I do have an affinity for irony

[powderfinger]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Aside from being found with a PBR in my hand because Im being cheap, the average hipster and I have nothing in common.

- The most 'obscure' band I listen to is probably Sonic Youth
- I hate [wearing] skinny jeans with a passion (couldnt care less if someone else is wearing them)
- I wear my hair chaved to a #1
- I dont own a fixed gear bike (or any bike at all)
- No piercings or any of that ilk

Though I do have an affinity for irony

There must be 2 different sub-sections of hipsters then. You sound more like the "hipsters" I knew back in the 90s and early 00s.

The new breed of hipster has a mustache, skinny jeans, fixed gear bike, oasis haircut, ugly green kurt cobain sweater, cut off jean shorts, nose ring, man purse, PBR or High Life in hand. They listen to obscure bands that NO ONE has ever heard of.

The old breed (like yourself), would be more inclined to wear baggy or regular jeans, pajama pants in public, listen to Sonic Youth, REM, Dreams So Real, and Flaming Lips. They drink PBR too, but are just as comfortable with a Miller Lite or Bud. They ride bikes too, but usually mountain bikes. They also like V neck t-shirts and black socks with baggy shorts.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by powderfinger

The old breed (like yourself), would be more inclined to:
wear baggy or regular jeans, check, if Im not wearing Dickies
pajama pants in public, nope
listen to Sonic Youth, check
REM, kinda check
Dreams So Real, nope
and Flaming Lips. check
They drink PBR too, check
but are just as comfortable with a Miller Lite or Bud. nope, cheap beer or good beer only
They ride bikes too, but usually mountain bikes. nope
They also like V neck t-shirts nope
and black socks with baggy shorts.check

I am undefinable!

[ThudThudThud]

To cut a long story short: About a year ago (almost exactly) I 'found' a Facebook posting (not to me) on a Google search. By triangulation of the players involved, I discovered that the poster was my long lost (never seen) daughter. I sent her an email via and we have since met. It's the best thing that's happened to either of us. She just turned 25.

So I believe in using social networking to network...erm....socially. The worst they can do is ignore you.

Good luck to you. I hope you find the happiness we did.

P.S. What's wrong with 'Dreams so Real'? They were cool. Rough Night In Jericho was a cool album. Capo on the bass?

[N.F.A.]

Are we talking about the same PBR that used to be associated with well, "Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer"? (An old song, look it up..) Wow, times really have changed if that is the preferred beer of hipsters.
Next thing you know Stroh's beer will be cool again or Boone's Farm Wine or something..

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by ThudThudThud

P.S. What's wrong with 'Dreams so Real'? They were cool. Rough Night In Jericho was a cool album. Capo on the bass?

I wouldnt be able to tell ya, as I had never heard of them before this thread.

Originally Posted by N.F.A.

Are we talking about the same PBR that used to be associated with well, "Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer"? (An old song, look it up..) Wow, times really have changed if that is the preferred beer of hipsters.
Next thing you know Stroh's beer will be cool again or Boone's Farm Wine or something..

The very same. PBR = Pabst Blue Ribbon
I think thats their drink because its "ironic" to be hip and drink cheap beer. Personally, I find it much more "hip" or even "pretentious" to drink good beer and be a beer snob about it.

[fmoore200]

Originally Posted by powderfinger

So now that my missing bandmate has been found, its onto my next project (which has been brewing for a while). I have a pretty extensive knowledge of my mom's side of the family. I have met all of her kin pretty much, and know who is who.

However, my dads family is a mystery. His father left home as a teenager to fight in WW2. When he came back to the USA, he married my grandmother and settled in the Carolinas. My grandfather to my knowledge, had no siblings, etc.

My dad's mother though, had a brother who moved to Massachusetts after himself serving in WW2. He married a lady from Mass. and had 3 kids, all of whom have children and some grandchildren as well. Ive never in my life met them, or knew they existed until I found a written family tree, which was in storgage with old documents, photos, etc.

In my 35 yrs, Ive never laid eyes on them, and I dont know if they know we even exist down here in Dixie.

Would anyone find it odd/weird/creepy to hit them up on Facebook or anything? Send em' a msg, letting them know who I am? How I found them?

Isn't that what Facebook is for? I regained contact with so many people from my youth that I would never have found any other way. A lot of people use Facebook for stupid and childish things, but it can also be used for amazing things like reaching out to relatives that you have never met. Go for it!