Genealogy Category
Gophering for British Surname Origins
Posted on November 8, 2021 3 Comments
Although similar resources can be had for surnames for other places, in this post we are concentrating on British origins. Doesn’t really matter what side of the Atlantic you are on, some time or other you will face families that left no bread crumbs as to where they hark from. If you are lucky the […]
They Aren’t Genealogy Rabbit Holes they are Gopher Networks
Posted on November 7, 2021 8 Comments
We’ve had it wrong. Genealogists who go off on tangents who hop from this to that chasing rabbits back to their dens, we have the wrong metaphor. I have both hares and gophers in my backyard so I am surprised I did not figure this out earlier. But here goes…you know the drill you are […]
Drunkards & Lunatics: The Case for Original Records & Research
Posted on October 29, 2021 1 Comment
I cut my teeth in genealogy back in the early 1970’s when I spent many a day in the Prothonotary’s Office of Cameron County Pennsylvania in Emporium. Emporium is the county seat and its population has averaged between 2,000-3,000 for most of its last 150 years. So not a very big place and when I […]
Location, Location, Location: Finding Records Look EVERYWHERE Part 2
Posted on October 20, 2021 1 Comment
In my last post on locations I failed to mention a few things that caused me some frustration today. I only had a couple of hours to photograph records when I was in South Kingstown RI. While I was there the clerk mentioned the earliest records were actually in North Kingstown which I did not […]
Amid the company of Happy Maidens: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 21
Posted on October 18, 2021 Leave a Comment
July 23 1917 Since noting the past events a number of things have happened. I finished Fannies things $6.00 also a dress for Mrs Fish $6.00 a skirt and waist for myself w white dress for E. [Eilene] and other things. On the 16th E. [Eilene] was sick and I had all the work to […]
Location, Location Location: Changing Names and Jurisdictions & Finding Records
Posted on October 18, 2021 1 Comment
My recent trip back to Massachusetts underscored the SUPREME importance of understanding a Town’s history. It is not just the names that often changed, but their jurisdictions and sometimes their ACTUAL location. What do I mean by knowing a Town’s history. Specifically nothing will serve your genealogy research and your family history writing more than […]
Foxes, Wild Cats, Crows & Woodchucks – Negros, Indians & Servants: The Battle for Control in Early Rhode Island as reflected in South Kingstown Records
Posted on October 17, 2021 1 Comment
The joy and horror of reading original colonial town records is the discovery of everyday life in the Colonies. On a recent visit to South Kingston, [Originally named for the Naragansett Indians and later known as Kings town], Rhode Island Town Record office I stumbled upon these records, which were both illuminating and disturbing. What […]
The Very Best 50th Wedding Anniversary Gift of All
Posted on October 14, 2021 2 Comments
Sometimes we must tell our own family stories. Back in February of 2021 after we received our first Covid-19 vaccines, we began talking about a trip to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. I did lots of research and came up with 20 or so places we might go. They ranged from Vancouver Island, BC to […]
Once Seen & Heard, Never Forgotten: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 20
Posted on September 30, 2021 Leave a Comment
Mar 17 Cut Agnes’ black satin skirt. Started “Jane Eyre”. Cleaned up the house and finished a successful day tired but satisfied. [Transcriber’s note: this was the favorite novel of my youth so I found it delightful that my great grandmother was reading it.] Sun Mar 18 Agnes had to work at the telephone exchange […]
A Fairy Land of Snow Embroidered Dreams: A Soprano’s Aria Chapter 19
Posted on September 27, 2021 Leave a Comment
Jan 1 1917 Monday Came back to Allie’s this morning and accompanied him to see Mr & Mrs. Jacobson where we will live for a few mo. Allie having rented it furnished. We were received very graciously by them both and I think will be satisfied out there for the winter mo. Came back to […]
Wheaton Wood 