A single note in the margin can change an entire family history. And yet, it’s the very detail some people miss. Family history research has been transformed by online databases. Websites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, and Findmypast allow us to search millions of records in seconds. Names, dates, and places that once required days in an
When beginning World War I family history research, many people have stories of great-grandparents who served in The Great War. Often told by older family members, shown on service records, confirmed by medals and recorded on a few faded photographs. When delving deeper, what is discovered is something far more powerful: the human cost of
As a professional genealogist, I enjoy the thrill of solving the intricate puzzles of my clients’ family histories. Each name I uncover and every story I reveal brings me immense pleasure; however, I’ve realized that I’ve neglected the most important puzzle of all—my own ancestors. As we approach Remembrance Day, I will share the story
I am a Connector! What’s a connector? Isn’t that a bit of pipe that connects one bit of pipe to another bit of pipe? Yes, it could be. But what I do is to connect the present to the past. . . . I’m a Genealogist. Last week I was talking to an old colleague
The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is #EmbraceEquity This year, I thought I would indulge myself and write about some of the women who helped to shape my life and who, in their own ways, may have contributed to the equity woman enjoy today. The first photo is of my Great Grandmother, Lilian Fisher.
Week 2 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks challenge – the prompt for this week is “My Favourite Find.” My favourite find was Francis George Fisher, who was my great-grandmother’s brother. He was the second child born to George Fisher and Susannah Fisher, formerly Pauling in December 1884. My great grandmother Lily was older
I thought I would start Ancestral Anecdotes with one of my least known ancestors. I chose her because of her beautiful name – Sophia Dance – her name conjures up a vision of dark flowing silky hair, smiling eyes, and the poise of a ballerina. This is purely my imagination as there are no
Always read every bit of information in a Parish Register. You never know what you will find. Here I take you through a brief history of Parish Registers before showing you how a little side-note demolished my brick wall. Parish Registers Before civil registration started in 1837, life events of our ancestors were recorded in
Most people have a box or two of old photographs lying in a cupboard or gathering dust in the attic; some you’ll know as grandma, grandpa or great auntie Doris, some will bring back happy memories and make you smile, but there are always a few faces that no-one knows. When my grandmother died she
I was born on 4th May, usually a spring like day, sometimes wintery and associated with lambs and other baby animals. But since George Lucas launched the Star Wars movies in the 1970s it is now more affectionately known as ‘Star Wars day’; with ‘May the Fourth be with you’ being a common birthday greeting.
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