Accessing research participants is often presented as unproblematic. However, the authors’ experiences of recruiting 30 chains of grandfathers, fathers and grandsons, spanning three different ethnic groups, Polish, Irish and white British, highlighted the realities of research practice. This article draws on a study of fathers across three generations in three ethnic groups to explore the sampling challenges and complexities. The recruitment methods used raised particular issues for each of the three groups and had to be adapted accordingly. Key methodological issues for inter-generational research with specific ethnic groups include gender and ethnicity of the researchers, modes of access to potential participants, gaining trust, and flexibility in approach. The authors conclude that the amount of time, resources and ‘emotional labour’ called for when recruiting a sample in this type of research should not be under-estimated.