I took early retirement three years ago Ben and haven’t regretted it for a minute. I was lucky enough to make some great friends from amongst my colleagues and clients over 36 years and we all still meet up socially on a regular basis. So much to do every day but it’s also lovely knowing that, if you fancy it, you can also just relax and do absolutely nothing.
Enjoy yourself and best wishes for a long, happy and healthy retirement.
What a wonderful picture you set, I have a reality of working now for 32 years and not maintaining a single friendship with anyone I’ve formerly worked with!
Fortunate to have worked for a huge business …means there’s a lot I’m happy to never see again, but some of us worked together for 30+ years and some clients I looked after for almost as long. Work was always less “worky” when it was with and for friends.
Good luck with the ancestry work @Henry Irving. I’ve been doing the same lately, with da’s family just across from yours. His mum’s line is in Cavan and his da’s just next door in Monaghan. Mum’s family all Tipperary and I’ve got back to the early 1700s on both sides so far.
I took early retirement three years ago Ben and haven’t regretted it for a minute. I was lucky enough to make some great friends from amongst my colleagues and clients over 36 years and we all still meet up socially on a regular basis. So much to do every day but it’s also lovely knowing that, if you fancy it, you can also just relax and do absolutely nothing.
Enjoy yourself and best wishes for a long, happy and healthy retirement.
What a wonderful picture you set, I have a reality of working now for 32 years and not maintaining a single friendship with anyone I’ve formerly worked with!
Fortunate to have worked for a huge business …means there’s a lot I’m happy to never see again, but some of us worked together for 30+ years and some clients I looked after for almost as long. Work was always less “worky” when it was with and for friends.
Good luck with the ancestry work @Henry Irving. I’ve been doing the same lately, with da’s family just across from yours. His mum’s line is in Cavan and his da’s just next door in Monaghan. Mum’s family all Tipperary and I’ve got back to the early 1700s on both sides so far.
Managed to research my dad’s Irish maternal line from Bere Island in the Beara Peninsula back to the 18th century.
I'm 37 and already trying to put as much in place as possible so that I can retire at a young-ish age (50-55). Not easy, but the idea of just being able to do what I want, worry free, is too tempting to not try and aim for as soon as possible. I definitely wouldn't get bored without work!
All the best Ben, I have been retired for almost 8 years from a reasonably stressful job after 40 odd years. Guess what?, I don't miss it one bit. Some peeps were great and it's a shame to lose touch but equally a lot were absolute pricks and very good to see the back of !!.
I took early retirement three years ago Ben and haven’t regretted it for a minute. I was lucky enough to make some great friends from amongst my colleagues and clients over 36 years and we all still meet up socially on a regular basis. So much to do every day but it’s also lovely knowing that, if you fancy it, you can also just relax and do absolutely nothing.
Enjoy yourself and best wishes for a long, happy and healthy retirement.
What a wonderful picture you set, I have a reality of working now for 32 years and not maintaining a single friendship with anyone I’ve formerly worked with!
So many jokes, so little time.
But in all seriousness, you’ve just summarised the life of someone in IT 😉
Good luck in your next chapter..I thought I'd miss work when I retired 7 years ago ..I did for about 4 weeks....enjoy the rest of your life this isn't a rehearsal..all the best Ben
It's been a big part of my life for a long time, a vital part in many ways.
There have been good times and not so good times.
Met some great people and encountered a few crooks and idiots.
To everything there is a season, a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
But now is the time to pack it in.
I've done it for long enough and it is time to move on to the next chapter before I get too old.
So yes, at the end of this month that will be it for me.
I'm closing my small business, taking my small pension and retiring from work.
But that will give me more time to do the things I really enjoy like travelling, visiting museums and art galleries, tracing my family tree, reading, listening to music, following Charlton (I might even do some more aways), helping run the Charlton Athletic Museum and Bromley Addicks.
And of course posting on Charlton Life.
Up the Addicks
Im retired, do bugger all mostly but oddly still look forward to the weekend.
I'm 37 and already trying to put as much in place as possible so that I can retire at a young-ish age (50-55). Not easy, but the idea of just being able to do what I want, worry free, is too tempting to not try and aim for as soon as possible. I definitely wouldn't get bored without work!
Good on you. I retired at 50 and never once regretted it, despite regularly being asked if I did by mates and family.
Those people said they couldn't do what i had done, would get bored and would probably take on voluntary work. They subsequently retired and then had the temerity to tell me, they didn't miss working!
Best wishes for your retirement. Thinking I have three years until semi retirement and am already considering how that will look. Hope you enjoy the time it will give you.
But enjoy the next bit Henners, you won’t have enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to trust me.
Good luck & if you’re ever in Eire………….🤗
I could tell you but I'd have to kill you : -
I want to visit Tyrone as part of the family research as my Ancestry DNA test says that my 27% Irishness comes from there so be careful, I might just take you up on that offer!
You’re an Ulsterman so, same as my Bruv…….you’re not all bad then 😜😜😘😘
But enjoy the next bit Henners, you won’t have enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to trust me.
Good luck & if you’re ever in Eire………….🤗
I could tell you but I'd have to kill you : -
I want to visit Tyrone as part of the family research as my Ancestry DNA test says that my 27% Irishness comes from there so be careful, I might just take you up on that offer!
Interesting, we'll have to get you to an inter-county game at Healy Park in Omagh, to say nothing of swinging by the O'Neill's factory shop in Strabane for some GAA gear.
Is there any particular area of Tyrone that is indicated from your research?
Not that I have any particular Tyrone bias or anything...
So, it seems likely that your family has connections with the North Sperrins (Plumbridge/Glenelly Valley towards Cookstown in Tyrone, Claudy, Park and Feeny towards Magherafelt in Derry, both West to East).
If South Derry, your connections could be with some of really good (if hateful, from a Tyrone perspective) GAA heartlands.
Mind you, Hayes, as an Irish surname, is associated with other parts of Ireland.
The other name I have is McHugh, my paternal great grand mother who we believe was Scottish but could be Scots/Irish. My paternal grandfather was a catholic.
My matrilineal DNA is all eastern european Jewish thru my mum.
McHugh is a much more likely connection for this neck of the woods, and there are plenty of connections between Mid-Ulster and Scotland (including well before the Ulster Plantation, though the Plantation is a significant factor in the continuing intermingling of Scottish and Irish history). An awful lot of people would have migrated from Mid-Ulster to Scotland for work throughout the 18th to 20th Centuries.
Draperstown, slap bang in the middle of the the area of interest is named for the London Company responsible for settling it.
But enjoy the next bit Henners, you won’t have enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to trust me.
Good luck & if you’re ever in Eire………….🤗
I could tell you but I'd have to kill you : -
I want to visit Tyrone as part of the family research as my Ancestry DNA test says that my 27% Irishness comes from there so be careful, I might just take you up on that offer!
You’re an Ulsterman so, same as my Bruv…….you’re not all bad then 😜😜😘😘
But enjoy the next bit Henners, you won’t have enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to trust me.
Good luck & if you’re ever in Eire………….🤗
I could tell you but I'd have to kill you : -
I want to visit Tyrone as part of the family research as my Ancestry DNA test says that my 27% Irishness comes from there so be careful, I might just take you up on that offer!
Interesting, we'll have to get you to an inter-county game at Healy Park in Omagh, to say nothing of swinging by the O'Neill's factory shop in Strabane for some GAA gear.
Is there any particular area of Tyrone that is indicated from your research?
Not that I have any particular Tyrone bias or anything...
So, it seems likely that your family has connections with the North Sperrins (Plumbridge/Glenelly Valley towards Cookstown in Tyrone, Claudy, Park and Feeny towards Magherafelt in Derry, both West to East).
If South Derry, your connections could be with some of really good (if hateful, from a Tyrone perspective) GAA heartlands.
Mind you, Hayes, as an Irish surname, is associated with other parts of Ireland.
The other name I have is McHugh, my paternal great grand mother who we believe was Scottish but could be Scots/Irish. My paternal grandfather was a catholic.
My matrilineal DNA is all eastern european Jewish thru my mum.
McHugh is a much more likely connection for this neck of the woods, and there are plenty of connections between Mid-Ulster and Scotland (including well before the Ulster Plantation, though the Plantation is a significant factor in the continuing intermingling of Scottish and Irish history). An awful lot of people would have migrated from Mid-Ulster to Scotland for work throughout the 18th to 20th Centuries.
Draperstown, slap bang in the middle of the the area of interest is named for the London Company responsible for settling it.
McHugh was originally a Connacht name and there are many in Leitrim.
But enjoy the next bit Henners, you won’t have enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to trust me.
Good luck & if you’re ever in Eire………….🤗
I could tell you but I'd have to kill you : -
I want to visit Tyrone as part of the family research as my Ancestry DNA test says that my 27% Irishness comes from there so be careful, I might just take you up on that offer!
Interesting, we'll have to get you to an inter-county game at Healy Park in Omagh, to say nothing of swinging by the O'Neill's factory shop in Strabane for some GAA gear.
Is there any particular area of Tyrone that is indicated from your research?
Not that I have any particular Tyrone bias or anything...
So, it seems likely that your family has connections with the North Sperrins (Plumbridge/Glenelly Valley towards Cookstown in Tyrone, Claudy, Park and Feeny towards Magherafelt in Derry, both West to East).
If South Derry, your connections could be with some of really good (if hateful, from a Tyrone perspective) GAA heartlands.
Mind you, Hayes, as an Irish surname, is associated with other parts of Ireland.
The other name I have is McHugh, my paternal great grand mother who we believe was Scottish but could be Scots/Irish. My paternal grandfather was a catholic.
My matrilineal DNA is all eastern european Jewish thru my mum.
McHugh is a much more likely connection for this neck of the woods, and there are plenty of connections between Mid-Ulster and Scotland (including well before the Ulster Plantation, though the Plantation is a significant factor in the continuing intermingling of Scottish and Irish history). An awful lot of people would have migrated from Mid-Ulster to Scotland for work throughout the 18th to 20th Centuries.
Draperstown, slap bang in the middle of the the area of interest is named for the London Company responsible for settling it.
McHugh was originally a Connacht name and there are many in Leitrim.
Very common in Donegal (in particular) and Tyrone from my own experience.
But enjoy the next bit Henners, you won’t have enough hours in the day to do all the things you want to trust me.
Good luck & if you’re ever in Eire………….🤗
I could tell you but I'd have to kill you : -
I want to visit Tyrone as part of the family research as my Ancestry DNA test says that my 27% Irishness comes from there so be careful, I might just take you up on that offer!
Interesting, we'll have to get you to an inter-county game at Healy Park in Omagh, to say nothing of swinging by the O'Neill's factory shop in Strabane for some GAA gear.
Is there any particular area of Tyrone that is indicated from your research?
Not that I have any particular Tyrone bias or anything...
So, it seems likely that your family has connections with the North Sperrins (Plumbridge/Glenelly Valley towards Cookstown in Tyrone, Claudy, Park and Feeny towards Magherafelt in Derry, both West to East).
If South Derry, your connections could be with some of really good (if hateful, from a Tyrone perspective) GAA heartlands.
Mind you, Hayes, as an Irish surname, is associated with other parts of Ireland.
The other name I have is McHugh, my paternal great grand mother who we believe was Scottish but could be Scots/Irish. My paternal grandfather was a catholic.
My matrilineal DNA is all eastern european Jewish thru my mum.
McHugh is a much more likely connection for this neck of the woods, and there are plenty of connections between Mid-Ulster and Scotland (including well before the Ulster Plantation, though the Plantation is a significant factor in the continuing intermingling of Scottish and Irish history). An awful lot of people would have migrated from Mid-Ulster to Scotland for work throughout the 18th to 20th Centuries.
Draperstown, slap bang in the middle of the the area of interest is named for the London Company responsible for settling it.
McHugh was originally a Connacht name and there are many in Leitrim.
Very common in Donegal (in particular) and Tyrone from my own experience.
Thanks for all the ancestry hints. My paternal great grandmother left her children at either Victoria or Victoria Park Station in the 1890s and they ended up in a children's home.
I've not been able to find a birth cert for my grandfather, Andrew Patrick Hayes as isn't clear where or when he was born. Probably 1891 and he claimed Dublin, New York and Hackney at different times.
And thanks too for all the best wishes, very touching.
Thanks for all the ancestry hints. My paternal great grandmother left her children at either Victoria or Victoria Park Station in the 1890s and they ended up in a children's home.
I've not been able to find a birth cert for my grandfather, Andrew Patrick Hayes as isn't clear where or when he was born. Probably 1891 and he claimed Dublin, New York and Hackney at different times.
And thanks too for all the best wishes, very touching.
Have you located your grandfather on the 1901 census? That might disclose more tangible information. If you are unable to find him that might suggest Ireland or USA.
Thanks for all the ancestry hints. My paternal great grandmother left her children at either Victoria or Victoria Park Station in the 1890s and they ended up in a children's home.
I've not been able to find a birth cert for my grandfather, Andrew Patrick Hayes as isn't clear where or when he was born. Probably 1891 and he claimed Dublin, New York and Hackney at different times.
And thanks too for all the best wishes, very touching.
Have you located your grandfather on the 1901 census? That might disclose more tangible information. If you are unable to find him that might suggest Ireland or USA.
Len,
He was living in an orphanage in Ealing in 1901.
Some of his brothers and sisters followed their father to the US and in 1945 he swore an affidavid (spelling) that he seen a family bible stating he was born in New York but I believe he was trying for a green card.
Thanks for all the ancestry hints. My paternal great grandmother left her children at either Victoria or Victoria Park Station in the 1890s and they ended up in a children's home.
I've not been able to find a birth cert for my grandfather, Andrew Patrick Hayes as isn't clear where or when he was born. Probably 1891 and he claimed Dublin, New York and Hackney at different times.
And thanks too for all the best wishes, very touching.
Your DNA matches may be another route if you haven't explored them yet. Grouping them by shared matches would hopefully leave you with matches who share ancestry on your grandfathers to help you identify one or both of his parents.
If you're lucky there will be plenty of matches that aren't too distant (depending who's tested and how many children each generation had), and combined with records you may be able to rule out potential parents, e.g. if they weren't alive at the time or lived somewhere that doesn't fit with your family.
Your results can also be downloaded from Ancestry and uploaded to sites like MyHeritgate and FamilyTreeDNA where there will be matches who didn't test on Ancestry.
Comments
Good luck with the ancestry work @Henry Irving. I’ve been doing the same lately, with da’s family just across from yours. His mum’s line is in Cavan and his da’s just next door in Monaghan. Mum’s family all Tipperary and I’ve got back to the early 1700s on both sides so far.
I'm 37 and already trying to put as much in place as possible so that I can retire at a young-ish age (50-55). Not easy, but the idea of just being able to do what I want, worry free, is too tempting to not try and aim for as soon as possible. I definitely wouldn't get bored without work!
I'm also retiring on Monday. We have our first grandchild due at the end of next week so really looking forward to the next chapter of my life.
Those people said they couldn't do what i had done, would get bored and would probably take on voluntary work. They subsequently retired and then had the temerity to tell me, they didn't miss working!
Draperstown, slap bang in the middle of the the area of interest is named for the London Company responsible for settling it.
If anyone is looking for a starting point for research, PRONI can be useful: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/public-record-office-northern-ireland-proni/search-archives-online.
I retired nearly 4 years ago and have no regrets whatsoever. Sometimes I wonder how I found the time to work.
I've not been able to find a birth cert for my grandfather, Andrew Patrick Hayes as isn't clear where or when he was born. Probably 1891 and he claimed Dublin, New York and Hackney at different times.
And thanks too for all the best wishes, very touching.
He was living in an orphanage in Ealing in 1901.
Some of his brothers and sisters followed their father to the US and in 1945 he swore an affidavid (spelling) that he seen a family bible stating he was born in New York but I believe he was trying for a green card.
If you're lucky there will be plenty of matches that aren't too distant (depending who's tested and how many children each generation had), and combined with records you may be able to rule out potential parents, e.g. if they weren't alive at the time or lived somewhere that doesn't fit with your family.
Your results can also be downloaded from Ancestry and uploaded to sites like MyHeritgate and FamilyTreeDNA where there will be matches who didn't test on Ancestry.
LLLBH !