The conventional starting point for genealogists is with the immediate family. We then work backwards. Step by step. Generation by generation. At some point, maybe two or three generations back, we tend to hit a metaphorical ‘brick wall’. There are many possible reasons for this. Not all records can be found. Records may no longer…
All posts tagged Travel
Perceptions
One of the (many) things that I find difficult is attempting to see events from the perspective of my ancestors. Historians have the benefit of hindsight. We have access to an internet full of information. We know what is going to happen. We know which natural disasters affected which location on a particular date. We…
Why move?
For a genealogist, one of the advantages of large families is the evidence trail that they leave. Going back into the 19th century (and much later in some parts of the world) it was common for women to have 6, 8, 10 or more children. Through checking the records of births marriages and deaths, a…
The Great Famine
In almost every country in the world, there are events that are central to the collective memory. Examples include the release from prison of Nelson Mandela (1990), the death of Diana, Princess of Wales (1997), the attack on Pearl Harbour (1941) and the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989). These events act as a pivot…
Yorkshire & Lancashire geography
Patrick’s military record shows that he signed up for the Manchester Regiment in Pontefract on 2nd October 1902. He is then shown as being at the regimental headquarters on 4th October. Those unfamiliar with English geography and history may not regard this as strange. A short geography lesson. The Headquarters of the Manchester Regiment were…
From Yorkshire to Lancashire (2)
Patrick signed up for the army in Pontefract, Yorkshire. Once he had joined the army they would have made arrangements for him to travel to Regimental Headquarters in Ashton-under-Lyne. I do not know how Patrick travelled from Yorkshire to Lancashire. The most likely option would have been by rail. Rail travel meant steam locomotives in…
Irish miles
Kilbride RC church features on the Stanley family history. The church has a sizeable car park. There are very few houses nearby. Attendees are unlikely to walk there. It is located at Four Mile House. This is on the N61 heading north out of Roscommon town. Four Mile House is five miles from Roscommon. Is…