John Simpson's episode was the last of series 10 (big gap in my TV viewing lurking on the horizon) and centred on a story worthy of a film adaptation.
A flying cowboy and his wife - well, sort of his wife - pioneering aeroplanes after performing for years in a wild west show. I have to admit, I would never be tempted to stand within an outline of targets and let someone shoot at me - it's not something that particularly appeals.
A fantastic episode which shows that truth is often just as good as fiction and that families have incredible stories to tell. I just hope that series 11 will be on our screens sometime soon!
Bye for now!
Thursday, 26 September 2013
Thursday, 19 September 2013
Who Do You Think You Are? - Marianne Faithful
Marianne Faithfull's episode of Series 10, like others in this series, focussed on recent history and generations.
This episode showed the effects that the events of the twentieth century - particularly the 1930s and 1940s, had on ordinary people. It also showed the horrendous nature of what people went through for being Jewish or half-Jewish, or showing resistance to something that was wrong.
Marianne's family history helped her to understand more about the people her mother and grandmother were, and how events that happened before she was born could have such a long-lasting effect, even on her own life.
This episode showed the effects that the events of the twentieth century - particularly the 1930s and 1940s, had on ordinary people. It also showed the horrendous nature of what people went through for being Jewish or half-Jewish, or showing resistance to something that was wrong.
Marianne's family history helped her to understand more about the people her mother and grandmother were, and how events that happened before she was born could have such a long-lasting effect, even on her own life.
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Naming names
Sometimes, families name children perfectly ordinary things, and then sometimes, they don't. I always find it more than a little strange when a family's previously been no more adventurous than a Mary, Ann, or William, and then names a child something seemingly plucked out of the air like Penninah or Mehetable.
Then, there's the double names and the surnames as first names; while there's nothing wrong with it as such, its still worth noting when a child was named John John, William Williams, James James or even Hopkin Hopkins. The records always show more people with double-names than I'm expecting.
Again, there's nothing particularly wrong with any of these names, it all comes down to choice after all, and we live in a world where celebrities name their children after fruit - it all just adds to the wider story of a family.
Then, there's the double names and the surnames as first names; while there's nothing wrong with it as such, its still worth noting when a child was named John John, William Williams, James James or even Hopkin Hopkins. The records always show more people with double-names than I'm expecting.
Again, there's nothing particularly wrong with any of these names, it all comes down to choice after all, and we live in a world where celebrities name their children after fruit - it all just adds to the wider story of a family.
Monday, 16 September 2013
Living History
Hi!
I have to admit, sometimes I come across people who are - frankly - a little rude about family history. The argument of why it's relevant or (and I hate this) why someone should have more research completed when their family history has 'already been done,' crops up from time to time.
As far as why you should research your family history, well, I can't guarantee you'll ever understand that. But from personal experience, the sense of connection with the past, and the fascinating stories that suddenly spring to life, are worth it every time. It can also allow you to feel part of history, and give you a wider sense of family and how you've got where you are.
The words 'it's all been done' really, really irritate me in terms of family history. I have been researching my own family history for many, many years. I can't honestly say I'm done; I'm pretty sure I will never be 'done.' There's always something more to discover, even about relatives you thought were fully researched - there's always a new perspective, or something you can discover more about.
I'm dedicated to providing history to my customers; names and dates will never be the end of the story, even if you choose to order basic research in order to use this kind of basic information as a starting point.
For more information about my services see www.familyhistorybycerys.co.uk
Bye for now,
Cerys.
I have to admit, sometimes I come across people who are - frankly - a little rude about family history. The argument of why it's relevant or (and I hate this) why someone should have more research completed when their family history has 'already been done,' crops up from time to time.
As far as why you should research your family history, well, I can't guarantee you'll ever understand that. But from personal experience, the sense of connection with the past, and the fascinating stories that suddenly spring to life, are worth it every time. It can also allow you to feel part of history, and give you a wider sense of family and how you've got where you are.
The words 'it's all been done' really, really irritate me in terms of family history. I have been researching my own family history for many, many years. I can't honestly say I'm done; I'm pretty sure I will never be 'done.' There's always something more to discover, even about relatives you thought were fully researched - there's always a new perspective, or something you can discover more about.
I'm dedicated to providing history to my customers; names and dates will never be the end of the story, even if you choose to order basic research in order to use this kind of basic information as a starting point.
For more information about my services see www.familyhistorybycerys.co.uk
Bye for now,
Cerys.
Thursday, 12 September 2013
Who Do You Think You Are? Sarah Millican
I think Sarah Millican is wonderful; the comment about a wrap-around duvet said it all as her episode of series 10 played last night.
Sarah's episode followed parts of her family that, to be honest, did some pretty obscure things for a living. One ancestor was one of the first deep-divers - as in, in the sea. And of course, as had to be done, Sarah got dressed up in the gear - old style diving helmet and everything (I personally find diving helmets a little creepy - probably a combination of too much Scooby-doo and Lemony Snicket when I was younger.) It was important to Sarah however that her ancestor not be in salvage purely for the money - and his decision, recorded in a newspaper, to give up his percentage value of a wreck to children who had been left orphaned by it clearly touched a nerve.
The other main focus of her episode dealt with a labourer in the fur trade who travelled from Orkney to Canada, and ended up with an incredible survival story for his trouble.
The main star of this episode was still Sarah herself, who's comments made the whole thing totally enjoyable.
Bye for now!
Sarah's episode followed parts of her family that, to be honest, did some pretty obscure things for a living. One ancestor was one of the first deep-divers - as in, in the sea. And of course, as had to be done, Sarah got dressed up in the gear - old style diving helmet and everything (I personally find diving helmets a little creepy - probably a combination of too much Scooby-doo and Lemony Snicket when I was younger.) It was important to Sarah however that her ancestor not be in salvage purely for the money - and his decision, recorded in a newspaper, to give up his percentage value of a wreck to children who had been left orphaned by it clearly touched a nerve.
The other main focus of her episode dealt with a labourer in the fur trade who travelled from Orkney to Canada, and ended up with an incredible survival story for his trouble.
The main star of this episode was still Sarah herself, who's comments made the whole thing totally enjoyable.
Bye for now!
Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Social, Local, Family
I seem to be looking more and more lately into the circumstances surrounding family events and getting background information - the social circumstances can reflect what was actually going on. I think sometimes you can't get the full picture without looking at it from different angles. If there are several members of the family working in the same industry was it the main industry for the area? Is this what everyone worked at? Or was the family the exception?
Local history is very linked with family history - how could it not be when the families of the area created the local history? And social history can show the general mood of the country, and also how your family members would have been thought of if they did certain things!
Bye for now!
Local history is very linked with family history - how could it not be when the families of the area created the local history? And social history can show the general mood of the country, and also how your family members would have been thought of if they did certain things!
Bye for now!
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Who Do You Think You Are? - Nitin Ganatra
Nitin Ganatra's episode of Who Do You Think You Are series 10 focussed on India and the Asian community in Kenya.
It's a subject that I myself don't much about, and so admittedly found the episode last night quite fascinating. It also struck me, when it was being explained that the Indians in Kenya built the country's railways, that immigrant labour was used in a variety of countries for this job - the Chinese in the USA came to mind.
Like last week with Nick Hewer, I have to admit a little jealousy when it comes to the ease with which Nitin Ganatra was able to go back through the generations via one document. I don't know what Indian genealogy research is usually like but in Britain, unless your very, very lucky, it just doesn't work like that!
It's a subject that I myself don't much about, and so admittedly found the episode last night quite fascinating. It also struck me, when it was being explained that the Indians in Kenya built the country's railways, that immigrant labour was used in a variety of countries for this job - the Chinese in the USA came to mind.
Like last week with Nick Hewer, I have to admit a little jealousy when it comes to the ease with which Nitin Ganatra was able to go back through the generations via one document. I don't know what Indian genealogy research is usually like but in Britain, unless your very, very lucky, it just doesn't work like that!
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
Notes upon notes
Believe it or not, I still use paper to make notes. Yes, it may be true that as a genealogist I may be a little bit stuck in the past but I'm no technophobe; I can find my way around websites and word processors no problem, it's just that sometimes you need paper. Like now for example, when I have about six documents open and about seven web browser tabs - the pieces of paper make my life so much easier because they are right there on the desk in front of me, and not liable to crash unexpectedly.And of course, it's handy for when I want to add things in here or there - a couple of lines with a pencil, a well-placed sticky note, a note in the margin, and everything's in it's rightful place. Paper, I'm telling you, here to stay.
Bye for now!
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