Unannounced genealogy inquiry to a person you never met?

Question:

Unannounced genealogy inquiry to a person you never met?

My grandmother has dementia and is not a good historian and cannot tell me much about her dad or grandfather. I tracked down her sister though public records.

Is it in poor taste to write a polite yet simple letter introducing yourself and asking if she would mind talking about any history?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I have done this, and also have done phone calls. As quickly as possible at the beginning of a call, I would explain I was a distant relative and PROVIDED a name that they would know.. since many people are leery of solicitations, etc. By giving a name of a mutual relative, it reassured them. After making sure it was not middle of dinner, I'd explain that I was working on family history, which I hoped to share with them. (and made sure that I later followed through with that promise).
I admit, I was shaking the first time I did such a call.. eventually, it was 2nd nature; I got to know many of them on a friendly level, and even later, it grew into a family reunion. Everyone always thought it was a great idea, but no one wanted to take the first step.
Yes, many people might prefer a letter, and the old fashioned rule of thumb was to include even a self addressed stamped envelope. On the other hand.. many times after sending a letter, people later admitted that they "meant" to answer it, but always got sidetracked.
Over all, I can't see how it is ever in bad taste to say hello to a relative and express the sincere wish to get to know them. The only time I would hesitate on that, is if you are the child that a parent may not be aware of, and your note/call could come as a shock. Even those can be done but in a discreet way ("I think we may have a mutual acquaintance").