Libraries are a key component in researching family history. They offer many services that can help your genealogical journey. Newspapers Many libraries hold copies of local newspapers and local records. Genealogy Books If you are unsure where to start, or would like to find out how to search for particular records, the library is sure …
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 18 Institutions
The theme this time is institutions. So I thought I would talk about my 3 x great grandmother Mary Ann Bowen. Mary Ann was born in Worcestershire about 1828. On 27 October 1850 Mary Ann married John Bick or Beck, although Beck seems to be the surname shown for the family later on. Both John …
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 17 DNA
DNA testing is a valuable tool when used alongside other genealogy methods and has helped many people with their family mysteries. It can help confirm your research bringing it all together. DNA can be used to Help find relatives – find close and distant genetic relatives Expand your tree – with DNA matching you can …
August Family History Month Events in New Zealand
August is family history month in New Zealand and Australia and is fast approaching. There are plenty of events happening across New Zealand with Auckland and Christchurch holding a Family History Expo. I have been to a few of these in Auckland and there is always something for everyone. Christchurch will be hosting there expo …
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 16 Oldest Story
There are a couple of stories that have been passed down through the family. One of them is that we are descended from the Royal Stewarts. I have also heard this from other distant family members. This has not been proven, and is highly unlikely to be proven. Although it’s nice to think it might …
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 15 – Big Mistake
Richard Rooke - A Lesson in Mistakes and Consequences The theme for week 15 is big mistake, so I thought I would talk about an ancestor who made a mistake with one of his choices. Richard Rooke was my 2 x great grandfather. He was born around 1870/1871 to parents Richard and Mary Ann. He …
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 14 – Language
Alexander Stuart: The Final Voice of Gaelic fàilte chridheil Gaelic the ancient language of Scotland, once spoken throughout all of Scotland and intertwined with folklore, music and tradition. Gaelic gradually declined. It moved out of the lowland Scotland into the highlands. It then declined further as Scots and English became more prevalent. The census records …
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 13 – Home Sweet Home
The First Time Buyers When I think of home sweet home, I think of my parents house, or my grandparents homes. But for this week, I thought I would talk about my 2 x great grandfather. With help from family, he was able to buy his own farm. On 28 January 1870 Alexander Stephen was …
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 12 – Historic Event
The Whisky Smugglers Illegal whisky distilling and smuggling was rife in the highlands during the nineteenth century. These activities often worked side by side with legal distillers. Excisemen were tasked with locating these illicit distilleries and seizing them. In 1822 the government passed the Illicit Distillation (Scotland) Act. This meant that the making or drinking …
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 11 – Brick Wall
Where did Ann go? Brick walls are to say the least, incredibly frustrating! And I have a few of them in my tree. They can be disheartening, and I have, like most, put them on the back burner, with the idea to come back to it at a later date. So, with that in mind, …
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Relatively Family 