Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i Family Tree UK

Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow… Diane Lindsay’s piece this month (if you’re new to the magazine, see page 82) really got me thinking. After 40 years’ dedicated family history research Diane is wondering whether her thriving family tree is getting a little out of hand – with too many rambling branches, too many cousins and kin etc – and is perhaps in need of a prune… Now I think we can all agree that pruning is a terrible idea isn’t it (or is that just me? And Diane too of course, as I know she’d never really get out her genealogy secateurs). I guess my feeling is and that every last clue and connection found and added to the family tree should be safely kept and…

‘How to plan a reunion post pandemic’ Planning a family reunion is a logistical task, even aside from the pandemic and Reunions Magazine has information for those wishing to organise family gatherings in the current climate. Addressing questions such as ‘How should technology be used to connect with family members unable to attend in person?’ it provides advice to reflect 2021 reunion challenges, as well as information on organising venues, and crafting posters, projects and photographic displays. https://reunionsmag.com/…

New President at the Family History Federation Dr Janet Few is honoured to become the new President of the Family History Federation Dr Janet Few is very well-known across the family history scene for her books (guides and fiction), and her alter ego Mistress Agnes, and is heavily involved in the work of family history societies. She is keen to encourage a vibrant future for societies across the board, and we wish her well in this important venture during her Presidency. Janet is taking over the reins from former President Dr Nick Barratt www.familyhistoryfederation.com/…

FAMILY HISTORY FUN DEAR PAUL DEAR PAUL The theme to this month’s ‘Dear Paul’ is ‘The Name Game’ as we delve into a variety of name-related Genealogy Gems Guy Etchells starts us off with a reader challenge regarding traditional naming patterns that he uncovered whilst researching his family tree. If you have ever traced Scottish or Irish ancestry you will be aware that many families followed a traditional naming pattern when naming their children. A guide to traditional naming patterns can be found at http://familytr.ee/naming. We often also see the first name re-used again after a first child sadly died, to ensure that the family keep to the traditional naming pattern. It was whilst Guy was researching his family from Newton Heath in Manchester, that he came across a child…

WHY WOULD HE TAKE HIS OWN LIFE? UNWILLING, OR UNABLE, TO SAY… THE LIFE, TIMES & MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF JOSIAH HENRY HARRIS Collaborating cousins Ann Crichton-Harris and John Pollard have put the past 18 months of lockdown to very good use, investigating the life, times and horrific death of much-respected author and journalist Josiah H. Harris, uncovering numerous surprises as they pieced together his story. Some questions remain unanswered, however … On 17 April 1917 the much-respected Cornish author, Josiah Henry Harris, took his own life at his home at Portmellon just to the west of Mevagissey. There was no question as to Josiah’s intention: he had pinned a note to his jacket stating: Carbolic, self-administered, is all the trouble. If you find me in a comatose state pray don’t…

LEARNING ONLINE WITH FAMILY TREE JOIN US FOR THE NEXT DNA BOOTCAMP What we learned on the DNA Bootcamp Michelle Leonard reflects on the first DNA Bootcamp – and we share details of the new Bootcamp starting soon. Hands-on experience is the best way to learn, so if you’ve been meaning to get to grips with DNA for a while, read on DNA Bootcamp Tutor, Michelle Leonard Teaching my DNA Bootcamp for Family Tree was a richly rewarding experience that gave me licence to create a deeper dive into DNA education than is ever possible within the confines of one-off webinars. As a professional genealogist and DNA detective I spend a large proportion of my working life honing techniques for using DNA for family history purposes and subsequently coaching others on…

EXPLORING THE ONLINE GENEALOGICAL INDEX FIND YOUR ANCESTORS FOR FREE! EXPLORE MILLIONS OF RECORDS with the Online Genealogical Index The Online Genealogical Index (OGI) is a free-to-use database for places in England, Wales and the Isle of Man, the result of a seven-year project to create one site from which you can discover all the records that mention your ancestor What is the OGI? Have you ever wondered how to find specific genealogical records online? Or wished that you could find free versions of records only referenced on subscription sites? The Online Genealogical Index https://ogindex.org avoids you having to manually search multiple websites to find the correct locations and year ranges, potentially saving you hours of research time. Tim Manners, founder of the OGI, was frustrated to hear family historians say,…

DISCOVER RESEARCH SOLUTIONS Your questions answered With our experts Jayne Shrimpton, Mike Sharpe, Mary Evans & David Frost A late Victorian enlargement Q This particular photo, which I think dates to c.1880-1890, does not look ‘right’! To me it looks as though the body has been ‘put on’ after the photo was taken; the line of buttons is out of perspective, to my eye, and the left and right shoulders are out of kilter with each other – her left shoulder does not even join her neck at the back and you can see the original shoulder line underneath. I feel that the ‘rose’ looks very false too. Am I reading things wrong or would you say that this photo has been tampered with? Does everything look OK to you?…

YOUR FAMILY MYSTERIES SOLVED What was the occasion for the photograph? Q I think this photograph might represent a ‘breeching’ for the little boy on the right. The printed date on the back of this cabinet card is 1889-1890. I know these ancestors and 1889 looks right for the children’s ages. From left to right are: Rose 5, Sue 8, Mary 12, baby Bessie 1, Kittie 4, Gertie 11 and John 5. All are the children of Charles Freeman, farmer and grazier of Clifton-upon-Dunsmore, near Rugby, Warwickshire. My grandfather is the only child missing: he was born in 1891. Janet Packer A Thank you for submitting this beautiful card-mounted studio photograph. As you say (and as we see printed on the front), this is a cabinet portrait – or cabinet…

ALL ABOUT FAMILY HISTORY NEWS International Bomber Command pays tribute to supporters A new Supporters Story project from the Lincolnshire visitor attraction allows donors to make a financial contribution to the centre’s ongoing work and in return, have their name carved onto a unique piece of stone laid at the front of the attraction The Centre, which is also home to the UK’s tallest war memorial, allows visitors to pay tribute at the Wall Of Names, enjoy the tranquility of the Peace Garden and learn more about Bomber Command from the interactive displays in the Chadwick Centre. Nicky van der Drift, CEO of the International Bomber Command Centre, said of the new scheme: ‘The Supporters Stones are our way of saying thank you to those whose support allows important work to…

NEWS FORCES WAR RECORDS JOINS THE ANCESTRY FAMILY Ancestry is acquiring UK military records website Forces War Records, to bring millions of military service records to its members Clever Digit Media, which operates the UK military records website Forces War Records, has announced that its business and websites Forces War Records and British Genealogy have been purchased by Ancestry.com UK Limited. In a statement announcing the news, Ancestry said: ‘Ancestry, which holds over 27 billion family history records from 80 countries, knows how crucial it is to connect with the military heroes in our family trees, so we can preserve their stories and honour their sacrifices. From regimental databases to medal rolls and from POW records to casualty lists, military records hold rich and important information about our ancestors. That…

ALL ABOUT FAMILY HISTORY 24 million Scotland census records added to TheGenealogist database TheGenealogist has announced its largest ever addition of Scottish records, with the release of millions of census records for 1841-1901 646,933 new Scottish registers added to the Catholic Heritage Archive at FindMyPast A total of 18,022 Roman Catholic baptism and marriage records added to Roots Ireland 24M records from the Scotland census 1841-1901 added to TheGenealogist Launched at the Family History Show online on 19 June, users can find an ancestor using keywords such as occupation, birthplace, year of birth and more, search for a family using their forenames, or search for an address. TheGenealogist also gives the ability to select phonetic, exact or standard search filters. The new release is the latest in TheGenealogist’s additions, which…

NEWS ENJOY FREE FAMILY HISTORY GUIDES AT MYHERITAGE KNOWLEDGE BASE With over 13 billion historical records to explore at MyHeritage, it can be difficult to know where to begin tracing your ancestors. Experts at MyHeritage have chosen three Knowledge Base starting points that give a flavour of what’s on offer 1. How to find records with the MyHeritage search engine Learn how to use MyHeritage’s user-friendly search engine to find information about your ancestors and relatives in historical records at http://familytr.ee/searchengine 2. Master Record Matches Record Matches bring relevant historical records directly to your inbox, which can save you time and reveal new insights about your ancestors. This short how-to video shows you how to use them: http://familytr.ee/match 3. Google for genealogy: search tricks to tease out information In addition…

Society of Genealogists’ new premises announcement The Society of Genealogists has announced it has given notice to the landlords at its current premises, with the details of the final days available to visitors released In an announcement on its website http://familytr.ee/sog, the Society of Genealogists (SoG) chairman Ed Percival, writes that as part of a ‘once in a generation’ transformation, the society will be moving to a new home sooner than originally thought. Whilst the new address hasn’t yet been announced, SOG is ‘focusing on staying in London’ and will be closing its doors for a few months after the final opening day for members at Charterhouse Buildings on 17 July 2021. Clearly with such a vast library and archive of family history material to pack, this is going to…

ONLINE RESEARCH TIPS FAMILYSEARCH TOP 20 20 things you NEED to know about FamilySearch.org Alison Spring shares her Family Search Top 20, to help you make the most of the wealth of records and features available at the home of the world’s biggest online family tree Opening a FamilySearch account is a bit like opening up a box of different tools that will allow you to be more productive in researching, recording and sharing your family tree. Once you’ve registered with the website (it’s totally free), there’s a multitude of things you can do. FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND 1The first thing to notice is that the website is divided into several sections. These are listed along the bar at the top of the page and they are: • Family Tree…

A TIMELINE OF THE LIFE OF JOSIAH HENRY HARRIS 1847 Born Plymouth; eldest son of Josiah Harris, a newspaper reporter and writer, and Elizabeth Jane (née Tippet) 1865 Married Elizabeth Ann Treglown (1843 – 1908) on 6 April at the British Embassy, Paris 1867 (Feb) birth of daughter Martha Annie Harris at Clifton, Bristol. (May) working on the Merthyr Telegraph; charged with ‘failing to maintain his wife Elizabeth’ 1868 Member of reporting staff of Exeter Gazette 1869 Elizabeth, a “widow” marries James Nenon Connor in London 1871 Starts as a parliamentary or “gallery” reporter in London. Daughter Martha is living with her Treglown grandparents in Troedyrhiw, Glamorgan 1870s Continues life as a journalist and shorthand writer living and working in London 1881 According to the Census he is ‘married’, his…

Books & co A selection of intriguing reads, reflecting the many facets of family history interest, with Helen Tovey & Rachel Bellerby Summer reading Escape with a book… Posted in the Past, Second Delivery by Helen Baggott Many of us will have a few family postcards in our family history collection, with their hastily scribbled messages sending best wishes from places near and far. If we’re lucky, we know exactly who the sender and recipient were. But when postcards are seen out of context, separated from the people who owned them, the story behind their message might seem impossible to unravel. In Posted in the Past: Second Delivery, author Helen Baggott follows the successful premise of her first postcard volume – taking a postcard, looking at who received it and…

UNLOCK THE STORY OF YOUR GENES ENLISTING DNA ON YOUR FAMILY HISTORY QUEST Your DNA WORK SHOP Welcome to the DNA Workshop! In every issue DNA adviser Karen Evans will be unpacking a reader case study, and giving step-by-step tips for you to use in your DNA research at home. It’s time to unlock the story of your genes… CAN DNA RESEARCH HELP ME SOLVE A LONG-STANDING MYSTERY? Reader Michelle got in touch with DNA adviser Karen Evans to ask her advice MICHELLE: I read your pages every month and I try hard to concentrate, I really do, but I struggle! Science is not my thing, unfortunately. I have been researching mine and my husband's (John Paterson) family trees for over ten years and have been stumped at times. His dad's…

WELCOME TO SVG-FTG AN ONLINE TREE WITH A DIFFERENCE DISCOVER THE FREE SVG FAMILY-TREE GENERATOR Would you like to discover how to create a family tree, for publication on your website or blog, or for sharing digitally with family? Would you like to be able to pan across the entire tree, viewing your direct lines and the branches for extended family all in one go? Would you like to be able to zoom in on people included on your tree, to view photos, and read notes and link through to stories and information about them? And would you like to be able to create and share all this for free? Software developer Tony Proctor is the author of a specialist product that has recently undergone a major revision: SVG Family-Tree Generator…

YOUR FAMILY MYSTERIES SOLVED Have I smashed my brickwall? Q It is possible that I have knocked down a brick wall but how can I find proof? I would like to confirm whether Ann RUSDELL née MARSHALL (the wife of Henry RUSDELL although no marriage found), born 1806 in Yorkshire (no other birthplaces given on the 1851, ’61 or ’71 Census) is the same person as the younger sister of the William MARSHALL who was born in 1793 at Cawood, Yorkshire (1851, ’61 and ’71). There are recorded baptisms for eight children to a William MARSHALL and Mary née ARMSTRONG in Cawood, Yorkshire that include William baptised in 1793 and Ann baptised in 1806. The father’s occupation changes from weaver to flax dresser in 1797. Is that likely? I would…

REPAIR OLD PHOTOS WITH A SINGLE CLICK MyHeritage’s latest innovation allows you to fix scratches, tears and holes on old family photos, without altering your precious original images Photo Repair is the latest addition to the MyHeritage toolbox, offering a simple way to repair old photos via a ‘Repair’ button that automatically appears when it detects a damaged image. Whilst the ‘gentle repair’ option will fix most common damage, there is also an ‘extensive repair’ facility for more severely damaged images. Visit: www.myheritage.com/photos…

FAMILYSEARCH GEDCOM 7.0 - NOW RELEASED FamilySearch International has recently announced the release of GEDCOM 7.0 in May 2021 The latest version of GEDCOM sees some key changes, principally, the ability to include photos and other files when you download a GEDCOM 7.0 file from a supported product. A public GitHub repository for ongoing maintenance and development has also been developed, and in addition users of the GEDCOM 7.0 format can look forward to enhanced tools and compatibility. It was at RootsTech 2020 that FamilySearch launched an effort to create a new version of GEDCOM based on the 5.5.1 version, and many industry software providers and key influencers have participated in the new developments. Enhancements to be noted with GEDCOM 7.0 comprise: The addition of zip packaging capabilities for photos…

GEN UP ON YOUR 1900S GENEALOGY HAVE YOU TRULY CONSULTED THEM ALL? KEY 20TH CENTURY SCOTTISH RESOURCES Chris Paton examines the 20th century records that can help with Scottish research, to help pacify us as we eagerly await the forthcoming 1921 Census release, and console us that there is still plenty for us to investigate in the meantime Nails are being bitten, teeth are slowly chattering, and nerves are growing ever more frayed, as Scots around the world patiently await the release of the 1921 Census. All good things come to those who wait, but if pinning all of your hopes on breaking through a brick wall with the 1921 census, have you truly already consulted all of the additional resources currently available which might also help? In this article I…

TOP TREE TIPS CITING SOURCES MADE SIMPLE HOW TO ADD SOURCES TO YOUR FAMILYSEARCH TREE Online family trees provide an ideal way for fellow family historians to collaborate. The FamilySearch Tree is a particularly good example of this, being collaborative in nature, allowing you to freely share your research with others. Verifying our research by citing our sources is a very good means of demonstrating to anyone interested where we found our information. So, to follow, are some simple tips to help you work with sources on your FamilySearch Tree. 1 Log in to your FamilySearch account. Click your name (in the top right-hand corner) of the window, and a drop-down menu will appear. Click Source Box 2 Now you will be able to view all the sources that you’ve added…

RESEARCH ZONE NAMES, PLACES & OCCUPATIONS TRADE DIRECTORIES Although often not a first line resource, trade directories can be extremely valuable for discovering what your ancestor did for a living and where they were based. Dr Simon Wills explains The first British trade directory dates from 1677 and covers London merchants, but it was in the later 18th century that directories started to become more well-established and common, and in the 19th century they flourished. The earliest publications often simply listed inhabitants of a community by name and profession, with an address or a parish where they could be found. However, this is particularly useful information in the period before the first census in 1841. It may be the only way to determine what your ancestor did for a living.…

UP YOUR GENEALOGY GAME! Putting it into practice Challenge Chart your research course Draw up a list of all the records that David has mentioned, then set yourself a challenge to search for an example of as many of these records as you can online, to familiarise yourself with the databases and with the sorts of records available to help you trace your Royal Naval ancestors. David Annal has been involved in the family history world for nearly 40 years and is a former principal family history specialist at The National Archives. He is an experienced lecturer and the author of a number of best-selling family history books, including Easy Family History and (with Peter Christian) Census: The Family Historian’s Guide. David now runs his own family history research business, Lifelines…

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER DIVE INTO A GENEALOGY ADVENTURE THIS SUMMER & immerse yourself in family history discoveries when you subscribe to Family Tree SUBSCRIPTION FORM FOR UK SUBSCRIBERS, please return your completed form to our simple freepost address: Family Tree subscriptions, FREEPOST: WARNERS GROUP (FTRE) FOR EUROPE & THE REST OF THE WORLD, please return your form to: Family Tree subscriptions, Warners Group Publications Plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9PH, UK Family Tree is for people who love family history. Sign up today and we’ll help you • Learn about the latest websites & resources • Grow your family history research skills • And dig deeper into the stories of your family Subscribe and you’ll receive Family Tree delivered straight to y our doorstep Choose… Offer 1: pay just £3.99 a month…

DNA TOOLS IN ACTION Karen Evans talks to Jonny Perl, founder of DNA Painter, about some of the things that make DNA such a fantastic research tool in our family history journey I founded my website DNA Painter back in 2017. I was excited about the possibilities but had a lot to learn about DNA. Nearly four years on, the site now hosts a range of different tools that help researchers around the world interpret DNA matches. One of the most fascinating aspects of shared DNA is how variable it is. For example, you might share 200 or more centimorgans (cM) of DNA with a third cousin, or you might share none at all. The site’s most popular feature is the Shared cM tool, which can suggest the most likely…

DIGGING DEEPER Twiglets TRACING BRANCHES LIFE IN LIMERICK This month, Gill Shaw is turning her attention to trade directories, news reports… and random internet hits. Let’s see how she gets on… With some earlier ancestors – especially pre-census and civil registration – you count yourself lucky to find their name and the odd baptism or burial. But when they’re tradespeople, there’s a decent chance you’ll unearth something more, like a directory listing or a mention in the local paper. So that’s my plan of action for today – trade directories, news reports and random internet hits. Let’s see if my 3x great-grandfather Joseph Riboldi puts in an appearance anywhere… Now, Limerick archives has four directory listings for a Joseph Riboldi in the city between 1812 and 1840. But they only give…

DISCOVER RESEARCH SOLUTIONS Which Mary is mine? Q I have a 2x great-grandfather baptised in Luton in 1820 named Charles Hucklesby, parents John and Mary Hucklesby. In the Luton baptism records there are entries to John Hucklesby and Mary Hucklesby for 10 children baptised between 1796 starting with Elizabeth and ending with Charles in 1820. This seems straightforward except for one problem. There is a marriage in Luton of a John Hucklesby to Mary Wingrave in St Mary’s church in 1796 and another in the same church in 1803 of a John Hucklesby to Mary Boston. I had assumed that the first Mary died and John married again to Mary Boston. But the only death that I can find of a Mary Hucklesby locally in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire or Buckinghamshire is…

ABOUT OUR EXPERTS Jayne Shrimpton is a professional dress historian and ‘photo detective’, photograph consultant for TV series ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ and her books include ‘Tracing Your Ancestors Through Family Photographs’. jayneshrimpton.co.uk Mike Sharpe is a professional genealogist, writer and lecturer specialising in Birmingham and the Midlands, and runs the Writing the Past research service. He is a member of the Society of Genealogists and several family history societies. His latest book, Tracing Your Birmingham Ancestors, is published by Pen & Sword. Visit Mike’s website at www.writingthepast.co.uk. Mary Evans has been researching her family tree for more than 30 years, is a regular contributor to FT, and has contributed to research on TV series ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ and ‘Julian Fellowes’ Great Houses’. David Frost’s interest in genealogy was sparked…

SHARING YOUR VIEWS HAVE YOUR SAY Your LETTERS Remembering the life of a19-year-old firefighter hero Buried in an unmarked grave I enjoyed reading Paul Chiddicks’ story of ‘The Old Palace School Bombing’ (FT May) and my eye was drawn to the address near Chippenham of one of the victims. As this area of north-west Wiltshire is of ancestral interest to me, I decided to try and find out about 19-year-old motorcycle dispatch rider Ernest Herbert Henly of Grange Cottage, Silver Street, Kington Langley. This proved to be his parents’ address as his was 25 Spey Street, Poplar. He had been born on 22 January 1922 in the Mile End area of London, the eldest child of Albert, who’d been born in Chippenham in 1900, but lived in London after his marriage…

THOUGHTS ON… TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING? To prune or not to prune? This month, Diane Lindsay ponders on her wonderously growing family tree. Is it all getting out of hand? Or should she just revel in her remarkable tree? Years ago, soon after we moved to our present house and shortly after I’d started my family history in earnest, I planted a rose against an old garden wall, because I liked its name: The Rambling Rector. It was beautiful. But boy, in the rich loam of our old/new garden, did that rector ramble. It rambled so much that it started to shut out the sunlight. It grew taller than the apple tree it was supposed to gently clothe. It grabbed and entrapped the unwary and showered us with hefty…