My father is James Thomas My grandfather is James Thomas My great grandfather is James Thomas My great great grandfather is William Thomas My great great great grandfather is James Thomas My great great great great grandfather is John Thomas My great great great great great grandfather is James Thomas With the exception of William … Continue reading Let’s Call him James or maybe … James?
Category: British Isles Research
St. Mary’s Changing Churchyard
Towards the end of 1945, Jean Mary Davis (my second cousin twice removed) married John Clement Rix at St. Mary’s, the parish church at Norton Cuckney in Nottinghamshire1. I recently came across this wonderful photograph of them stepping out of the front doors of the church just after they had been married2. The war had … Continue reading St. Mary’s Changing Churchyard
Two True Friends – the Soldier and the Nurse
Charlotte Lillie Davis never married and probably would have been known as the maiden aunt of the family. However, that doesn’t mean she never loved nor led a fulfilling and interesting life. She was my second great grand-aunt; a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece, and a fiancée. Very little is known about Charlotte’s … Continue reading Two True Friends – the Soldier and the Nurse
One of The Second World War’s Best Kept Secrets
Ann Wilson Bellas – a Strong Woman
I have written before about my great-grandfather, John Bellas and his frequent journeys from County Durham, England to Kimberley, South Africa to work in the mines. His wife, my great-grandmother, Ann Wilson, married at age 20, becoming an instant mother to John’s small child from his first marriage. She was a woman who, for many … Continue reading Ann Wilson Bellas – a Strong Woman
Family Heirloom: The Thomas family bible.
The family bible is one of the most precious heirlooms a genealogist can have. A few years ago, my father was visiting his brother in England, and the subject of the family bible came up. My uncle was kind enough to pass the bible on to me, knowing of my passion for genealogy. It is … Continue reading Family Heirloom: The Thomas family bible.
Longevity (or the lack thereof) in County Durham Coal Miners.
Longevity (or in my coal mining ancestors, the lack thereof) Coal mining was not an occupation that promoted longevity in those who worked from before daybreak to after dark, six out of seven days a week, month after month and year after year. Most miners began work down the mines as young as age 8. … Continue reading Longevity (or the lack thereof) in County Durham Coal Miners.
A Favorite Photo : The men of the Thomas/Bellas/Stables family of County Durham, England.
Amy Johnson Crow has a new challenge for us called 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. You can learn more about it here and sign up if you think you would be interested. It’s a great way to share some of our data and as I looked through my photographs for the Week 2 prompt “Favorite … Continue reading A Favorite Photo : The men of the Thomas/Bellas/Stables family of County Durham, England.
A Closer Look at a Probate Record
Probate documents are created by a court after an individual's death. They relate to the distribution of the deceased’s estate and often contain information of great genealogical value. One of the records created at probate is often a list of creditors and accounts of debts owed. At first glance these may not seem of as … Continue reading A Closer Look at a Probate Record
Using the ‘Find A Will’ Service from England’s Gov.UK
As genealogist’s we know the value of probate records in our research. Probate records are court records made after the death of an individual and relate to how that person’s estate is dispersed, the directions to heirs and creditors and the care of dependents. There are numerous records created during the probate process including wills, … Continue reading Using the ‘Find A Will’ Service from England’s Gov.UK
KindredPast 