Wednesday 8 December 2010

A Winter Hobby

Genealogy is one of my winter hobbies. I find I don't have enough time in summer to do the research as I'm usually to be found outside in the garden or on the allotment, so it's reserved for the long, dark evenings of winter.

I've had a crack at following all the branches of my family tree, some more successfully than others. I've traced some lines back to the 1700's.

I've met some lovely people along the way who have been researching the same family, albeit a different line, though I did stumble across my mum's cousin's daughter. My mum hadn't been in touch with her cousin for nearly sixty years, and we eventually set up a meeting for them.

It's wonderful when you find someone who holds treasured photos of members of your own family. I found someone who had a photo of my great grandparents, Charles (1872) and Lavinia (the lady in the middle) (1874), photographed here with Lavinia's sister, Maude.


Someone else had photos of my great great grandparents, Lavinia's parents, Thomas (1852) and Charlotte (1851). I've been extremely lucky to find these as I didn't know anyone else who had photos of any of these relatives.
















I've also traced parts of Mick's family tree. It was very interesting finding out that his great great great great great grandfather is credited with the introduction of handloom weaving in to North Meols during the 1790's. I would love to find more out about this and take a trip to the area.

Genealogy is a voyage of discovery. I've unearthed a few family secrets, some tragedies and pages of such interesting information about my family. Now, where's the money?

10 comments:

  1. mum's mum, (my nana) was a Schumacher. ie, her maiden name was Schumacher before she married my grandad, a farmer from Thetford in Norfolk, when her name changed to "Self" Her dad was german and moved to England when the unrest in Germany started. He was a clockmaker. He moved his family to York, where he had a clockmaking shop. When the war started he had his shop windows smashed repeatedly, so he moved his family. I wonder if I am related to the legend F1 driver? One day I must do some family-tree stuff! You never know do you

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  2. I have never tried to trace my family tree. Mainly because I am a quarter Polish, a quarter Scottish and the rest British! There were a lot of feuds in our family, my grandpa's family changed their name from MacLeod to McLeod after they were thrown out of the Isle of Sky. My Grandpa won't talk about his time in Poland. Mainly though I don't have the time and I don't speak to a large section of family, there is a lot of ill feeling.

    Well done though, you have done really well with your research!

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  3. I inherited all the photos from my nan and great aunt when they passed away I just wish I knew who some of the family members are in the pictures.

    Victoria xx

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  4. i have traced back my family tree, my great great great grandads name was Enoch, i mean do you ever hear that name nowadays!!

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  5. Gosh they do look very well off! I want to do this, but I'm going to wait until I retire (ie have more time!) Love the photos. xxx

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  6. Family history fascinates me. One of the things I love about it is seeing all the names and how they were carried through the family. It's so much easier now too as many records are available online.

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  7. Hi there visiting via Scented Sweet Pea's. I love the old photo's such charm and character. So nice to be able to trace your family too :-)

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  8. Thanks for visiting, The Clip Cafe. I love looking at old photos too, it's so special when you can put faces to names on your family tree.

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  9. I was interested in researching my family tree a few years ago but I've passed my research onto my mum now.

    I got one line on my dad's side back to 1700 or so too - and funnily enough, they've lived in the North Meols area all that time. Mostly farmers but some weavers too - perhaps Mick's greatx5 grandfather showed them how to do it!

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  10. There are a lot of agricultural workers in my family, Louisa. Perhaps that's where I get my love of gardening from.

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