Family History
I became interested in family history some thirty years or so ago and living in the Midlands joined the Birmingham & Midland Family History Society (being a member for more than 20 years). Starting with living relatives, I got as much information down on paper as I could, verifying them with public records where possible. Many dates turned out to be slightly inaccurate, names can also be other than registered, such as nicknames or the use of second names instead. The further back I went, the more extended the family became, with approx 2300 connections on my maternal side and only about 200 on my paternal side. Unfortunately, it gets more difficult to trace relatives the further back you go, and as living relatives die, the stories and family legends die with them.
(Names of interest: Surch, Search, Letherlong, Stickley, Rouse, Tuckley, Mytton).
My immediate family begins in Birmingham, but my maternal side goes back to Stratford upon Avon (Warwickshire), Little Compton (which in its time has been in Warwicks, Oxon and Glos, making it more difficult to trace relatives), Great Rissington (again in different counties due to boundary changes). Many distant cousins have been found in Canada and Australia, through past generations heading for the "New World" for a better way of life. Family legend has it that the family originated from Prussia, but where and when has never been proven.
(Names of Interest: Sharp, Sharpe (from Nuneaton, Birmingham, Warwick, Cape Province, and Ballymena); Williams, Thorogood, Wisby, Barker, Ellingford and Ardley (from Essex); Seaman and Cameron (from Norfolk); Davidson/Davison (from Ballymena and Scotland).
My paternal side has also travelled. Several generations have served in the British Army, married and had children in foreign parts (including World Wars I and II); Gibraltar, Poona in India, Cape Province in South Africa, returning to Warwickshire between postings. Having been "stuck" on finding the origins of my gt.gt.grandfather for many years, and having moved away from easily-accessible records, I employed a genealogical service to look out his Army records to see if they gave any clues and "bingo" up came Ireland. But where in Ireland? Of course, many of us originate from Irish stock, because the potato famine in the mid-1800s and religious persecution meant many families fled from their native country. However, during the period of time I was concerned with Ireland was one country, and it became more difficult to find my relatives. These were Presbyterians, originating from Scotland, which is only some 12 miles away across the Irish Sea. However, I have yet to pursue that part of my "tree" and perhaps a holiday in that part of the UK sometime in the future may help. I visited Northern Ireland several years ago, specifically to trace my Irish/Scottish ancestors and spent a couple of days in the Public Records Office (Belfast) and the rest of the time driving round the countryside to find the towns and villages mentioned in the records. I was able to get back another generation, so now know my gt.gt.gt.grandparents, but it will be some time yet (if at all) before I can find the generation who came from Scotland.
Unfortunately, once you "get the bug" to trace your family history, it never goes away and is a lifelong journey. If having read through this, you feel you may have any of the names mentioned, then do get in touch with me through the Contact Me page on this website, and once I have established we may have a probable connection, I will reply to you.
The newest version of Family Tree Maker was much easier to use, and the free six-months subscription to ancestry.co.uk accompanying it does give you chance to do quite a bit of research. I've found quite a few bits of information, and ordered (not through Ancestry though who charge £22 for the privilege) a couple of certificates I'd previously been unable to find.
Update to the above is that I have now been able to go back another generation on my paternal side, finding my gt.gt.gt.grandparents' marriage in 1832; and have connected the Canadian, American, Australian and Berkshire "trees" to my main tree on my maternal side, giving me approx. 2300 ancestors. My 3 x gt.grandfather appears on his son's marriage certificate as "Sea Captain", so that's another difficult thing to sort out. I've now visited Warwick Regimental Museum and found war diaries, medal rolls and suggestions for a lot more research.
Unfortunately, once you "get the bug" to trace your family history, it never goes away and is a lifelong journey. If having read through this, you feel you may have any of the names mentioned, then do get in touch with me through the Contact Me page on this website, and once I have established we may have a probable connection, I will reply to you.
The newest version of Family Tree Maker was much easier to use, and the free six-months subscription to ancestry.co.uk accompanying it does give you chance to do quite a bit of research. I've found quite a few bits of information, and ordered (not through Ancestry though who charge £22 for the privilege) a couple of certificates I'd previously been unable to find.
Update to the above is that I have now been able to go back another generation on my paternal side, finding my gt.gt.gt.grandparents' marriage in 1832; and have connected the Canadian, American, Australian and Berkshire "trees" to my main tree on my maternal side, giving me approx. 2300 ancestors. My 3 x gt.grandfather appears on his son's marriage certificate as "Sea Captain", so that's another difficult thing to sort out. I've now visited Warwick Regimental Museum and found war diaries, medal rolls and suggestions for a lot more research.