It has been a busy time of late, with deadlines all met and end of year project submission. Now all completed, I can review what I’ve learnt and achieved over the past 12 months: Completed year 2 diploma year of MSc in Genealogical, Palaeographical and Heraldic Studies with the University of Strathclyde, where we covered:…
I recently purchased a small, pocket sized Temperance Daily Text book from a charity shop. It is a dual-purpose book, incorporating pages to add birthdays. The inscription in the front pages includes details of the recipient of the book from her sister and within further writings, birthdays are recorded for the parents. I decided to…
1st of May is Staffordshire Day! Out and about today for Staffordshire Day along the beautiful Trent & Mersey canal towards Stafford. We past the entrance to Shugborough Hall & Estate, and with the bank holiday this weekend will no doubt be packed with eager tourists. You can find more information on Shugborough and entry…
Just in time for World Book Night on 23 April, my recommendation is Thee & Me: A Beginner’s Guide to Early Quaker Records by Lisa Parry Arnold, as I will most probably be busy researching! I like this book as a learning tool for the history and principles of Quakerism but also learning about the…
A new feature just released at AncestryDNA is their ethnicity inheritance tool which displays how much ethnicity has been inherited from each parent. It is a huge development in the world of DNA testing and reporting of ethnicity estimates. The visual element really helps to understand which part of the World we originate from and…
Have you ever wondered about a local building, an old pub or even your own house and who lived there years ago? The history of a house can be fascinating. Depending on the age of the building and sometimes location, the amount of history within those walls is really interesting. And, there are lots of…
Postcard image curtesy of https://www.flickr.com/photos/hwmobs/45315446355/in/photostream/
With the help from the 1921 census, I have been able to establish the whereabouts of my great grandfather, William. Unlocking the past with the 1921 census can help confirm what is known, or thought to be known and identify further clues. The 1921 census was taken on 19 June having been postponed from an…
Yes, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, and the wait is now over! The 1921 Census of England & Wales has been released by Findmypast and we’re all buzzing about it! Although it is not being offered as yet for free. On Findmypast it is £2.50 for a transcription and £3.50 to view…
11 November, at the 11th hour, we pause and remember those who gave their lives during conflicts. The cenotaph, meaning ‘empty tomb’, provides a focal point to pay respect to the men and women who gave their lives and to lay wreaths on behalf of families, organisations and armed forces. London’s cenotaph was originally made…
Up and out early this morning at at the County Library for 9am! Almost had the place to myself. Although the section on local studies wasn’t large, there was sufficient information for my initial research. But, good to see a full section on genealogy!
When reading Latin and trying to decipher a word, it can be common for the whole word to be abbreviated, either in part or in full. Some abbreviations, such as the letter P is used and can be represented as: The top 2 in the image above, are abbreviated to mean Pre. The 3rd in…
1. Choose a testing company Here in the UK there are various testing companies that offer a DNA testing service. Each has its different reporting styles and tools. The 5 main testing companies are: MyHeritageDNA AncestryDNA Living DNA 23andMe FamilyTreeDNA There are of course, pro’s and limitations associated with each testing company. Ancestry and 23andMe…
Its now the end of term, so time to review and reflect on my course so far. Where has the time gone? It does seem to have flown by. Perhaps it is a combination of lockdowns and in an attempt to keep busy, I’ve ploughed through 6 Assessments and 12 assignment. I’ve read lots, attended…
Today, 10th June, is International Heraldry Day. A perfect opportunity to practice the art of blazoning – the description of the coat of arms. This coat of arms is for the Prince Edward Islands. Arms: Argent on an island Vert, to the sinister an oak tree fructed, to the deter thereof three oak saplings sprouting…
The art of heraldry has always been fascinating. I’ve bought books and taken photo’s of shields and coats of arms for many years. But only recently, through my MSc course at the University of Strathclyde, I have been studying the description of the arms, called blazoning. Heraldry with its blazoning, is like learning another language….
Fascinating buildings: Leek, Staffordshire library building including stone tableau and words of wisdom. The Nicholson Museum and Art Gallery, library and wonderful building with links to William Morris. “A good Booke is the pretious life-blood of a master-spirit, im-balm’d and treasur’d up on purpose to a Life beyond life” Milton. Walked past on Sunday 9…
The Singing Ringing Tree is a large and unique musical structure, sat high upon a hillside on Crown Point, overlooking Burnley in Lancashire. The structure is in the shape of a misshapen tree, bending into the wind. Its style is a panopticon (designed to look through rather than into), and is powered by the wind…
This may explain why a family tree can be so tricky to display all ancestors. I start with what I know, then work backwards and sideways up to the first 4 generations, anything after that is a bonus!
A great resource tool if you are looking for a listed building is the Historic England website, search for the National Heritage List for England and enter a place name. #localhistory #joannegenealogy https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/