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Re:
I would suppose, Annicita, that's like a "process of elimination," which I could understand working. When there were about a dozen names or so to keep track of, it wasn't so bad. But when it reached around 30 names, that's when the trouble began . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on December 16, 2013 at 7:25 AM
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Re:
I know what you mean, TAPS. Believe me, that was the first time that has happened, where I completely drew a blank on a relative's name! But yes, as the people spread out ( friends, friends of friends, the children of friends, cousins, etc. ) it gets more and more difficult! Soon everyone will need to walk around wearing name tags . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on December 16, 2013 at 7:22 AM
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my mom goes down the list of names with us until she hits on the right one
posted by
Annicita
on December 16, 2013 at 4:32 AM
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I don't remember having trouble with the names of nieces, nephews or grandchildren of mine, but take it any further than that and I am lost.
posted by
TAPS.
on December 14, 2013 at 12:42 PM
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Re:
That's a huge stretch of time, C C T, to have gone from just a girl to a grandmother! And I'm having a difficult enough time remembering the children's names of my own nieces and nephews! Throwing my cousin's children into the mix would probably increase that list of names a hundredfold! I just can't do that to my poor, overtaxed brain! And is your name really John Smith? Pull the other one . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on December 14, 2013 at 12:05 PM
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Re: JimmyA
That's a great plan, Sir Wiley. I too find myself from time to time preserving those particular brain cells for when I actually need them! I think I've been hitting that 'delete' button often myself lately. It does make life easier sometimes, doesn't it . . . ?
posted by
JimmyA
on December 14, 2013 at 12:01 PM
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Re:
I know what you mean, FSI. I'm one of those people who never forgets a face! Many a time my wife and I will be watching an obscure old movie, and I'll spot someone very young who I immediately recognize. I may not recall their name, but I remember who they are! Of course I would recognize any of my great-nieces and nephews as well. But apparently, coming up with any of their names is going to be a challenge for quite some time . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on December 14, 2013 at 11:59 AM
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Re:
I understand, Kabu, and I think it may actually get worse for us! Two of my nieces got married not too long ago, and not too far apart, and I'm sure they plan on having kids. And I still have plenty of other nieces and nephews who may "take the plunge" sometime in the near future and begin families of their own too! Help! I'll never be able to keep track of all those names . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on December 14, 2013 at 11:56 AM
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Re: Jimmy
I know exactly what you mean, Naut. As this post clearly demonstrated, family names are difficult enough. As my friends get married and have kids, I find there's apparently only so much room in my tiny pea brain to sort through and keep track of all of those names! But for this I don't embarrass easily. If I can't remember, sorry, I just can't remember . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on December 14, 2013 at 11:52 AM
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Re:
So it wasn't just us, huh, lovelylady? I think it's one thing to get the names 'mixed up,' or to be at least in the ballpark. But to draw a complete blank? We were just as surprised as we were frustrated! Believe me, we'll never forget them again . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on December 14, 2013 at 11:50 AM
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Yes Jimmy I have probably thousands of second or third cousins in USA .Canada. UK. Australia. So if I said any name it would probably relate to one of them. By the way my real name is John Smith. Goodness I did meet one of my second cousin's daughters the other day, I thought she was still a bit of a girl, but she was a grandmother. 
posted by
C_C_T
on December 14, 2013 at 10:06 AM
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JimmyA
LOL Oh yeah, at my age now I have a 'delete the thought' button because I can't come up with words or names I just let it go and say howdy my friend.
posted by
WileyJohn
on December 13, 2013 at 7:43 PM
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I myself do not have any nieces or grandchildren, but I have drawn plenty of blanks on names. When I was a freshman at college, that happened a lot because I had trouble keeping track of all the people I was being introduced to.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on December 13, 2013 at 7:29 PM
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no but i have a very small immediate family however i had many many cousins and I could not tell you all their descendants names...not at all. We never connect, not for most of my adult life. Most of them are twenty or more years older than me ..actually quite a few are dead now.
posted by
Kabu
on December 13, 2013 at 4:47 PM
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Jimmy
Well, family I can still handle, barely (maybe mine isn't quite as extensive)...but friends' families??? Forget it...
posted by
Nautikos
on December 13, 2013 at 4:12 PM
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Sadly Jimmy, I confess that this has happened to me more than once!...
posted by
lovelyladymonk
on December 13, 2013 at 2:40 PM
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