Nicola here. I’ve been enjoying the current series of “Who Do You Think You Are” the BBC’s genealogy programme, very much. It’s been the usual mix of actors, singers and celebrities, each with a fascinating family history story to tell. Whether they find a royal connection, a shocking secret, a family tragedy or a black sheep ancestor, the subject matter has been very varied and interesting but what makes the programme for me is the response of the people involved. They all seem to have found it thought-provoking and have gone away different people as a result of delving into their history. In some cases it has thrown light on their own family relationships and in many it has made them think about how the lives of previous generations have made them what they are.
By the time I came to research my own family history, various family members had already done practically all the work. Whilst 
there are plenty of stories of individual personal courage, tragedy and struggle, I have found absolutely nothing scandalous or exciting and no apparent truth in the rumour that my mother’s family is related to the Earls of Halifax. No royalty, no criminals, nothing but solid peasant stock working the land as shepherds and labourers until the industrial revolution brought them into the northern cities. My husband’s family is much more interesting with a couple of pirates and some literary connections thrown in! However, those individual stories of personal struggles are so important because they give an insight into the characters of our ancestors, real, complex people leading real lives.
One of the greatest pleasures I get from working at Ashdown House is meeting people whose ancestors lived or worked there. I learn so much from their stories. It brings the history of a place to life to hear about the person who did the laundry or drove the carriage. Quite often I also get emails about Ashdown from people living abroad who have done some family history research, or heard family stories, and think they may be connected to the Craven family. Sometimes I’m able to help make the connection for them. At other times I can’t find any documentary evidence but nothing daunted they continue the search.
A few weeks ago I heard from a lady in Australia who emailed me about a connection to the branch of the Craven family who had emigrated there in the late Victorian era. I had no idea as I started to look into the story that it would be one of the most fascinating pieces of genealogy research I would ever do. Tracing the family history and connections of the Earls of Craven isn’t generally too difficult as the family was a prominent aristocratic one from the 16th century to the present. The main line of descent of the estates and titles is in all the published peerages and there is a wealth of information about it. However things get trickier when you move away from the main branch of the family and start looking for other descendants, particularly as they were a fecund family!
I couldn’t find this branch of the Craven family in any official publications so had to assume they were distant cousins. I started to 
work backwards from the emigrant Craven and soon discovered his family living in London in the 19th century. They were described in the censuses as sugar refiners and merchants.
I knew nothing about the 18th and 19th sugar refining trade and it proved absolutely fascinating. The London sugar trade had actually started in the mid-16th century and by the late Georgian period it was booming. As an industry it was notoriously labour intensive, hot, exhausting and dangerous, with its fair share of fires and fatalities, and appalling working conditions. Many hundreds of tons of sugar were manufactured weekly from imported sugar cane. The sugar refineries themselves were often considered to be elegant buildings but the work done inside was anything but. And of course they had a background that was darker still; slave-owners such as the then Lord Craven had vast sugar plantations. Possibly this was one of the reasons his relatives entered the trade.
Naturally the risky side of the business did not impinge on the owners, who profited greatly from the trade. Those members of the Craven family who were in the sugar refining business built themselves very nice houses on the new areas of London where the rich city businessmen were buying land. They were places like Camberwell and Stamford Hill and Hackney, in those days beautiful leafy suburbs of the city. Here is the description of Craven Lodge in Hackney:
“Craven Lodge, at the northern edge of Hackney Common, was the most imposing residence in the area. Dating from the 1820s, it stood on the 70-acre estate surrounded by extensive pleasure grounds laid out in the style of Humphrey Repton and Capability Brown, with lakes, bridges and a folly tower. Remarkably the folly tower survived the break-up of the estate in the 1880s and can still be found at the rear of 130 Clapton Common. Now completely covered in creeper, it is a Grade II listed building.”
I was able to find all the brothers and cousins who were involved in the business and trace them back to the mid-eighteenth century 
when the first Craven moved from Yorkshire to London to set up his business. There were four cousins who invested in the sugar trade, two of whom oversaw the running of it. Another cousin bought a huge estate in Brighton and a fourth stayed in Yorkshire where he built a big house too!
My final challenge, though, was to discover whether any of these people were actually connected to the Craven Earldom. This proved very difficult once I had traced the family back to the mid-eighteenth century because although I could trace the Earl’s line forward from the 1540s I couldn’t find a connection with the 18th century Cravens. I thought there probably was one as they all originated in the same place in Yorkshire but that I might have had to go back several centuries to discover the actual link and there simply weren’t the documents to prove it.
Then I had a breakthrough. Of the three brothers who founded the Craven “dynasty” I had the detailed descent for two but the third, Anthony, was a mystery, apparently without heirs. Then I stumbled across one document from the 16th century that gave information on Anthony’s children. He had married and his line had continued. And yes – from that line the Craven sugar-refining dynasty was descended. It felt like the most wonderful discovery, like a mystery I had solved!
Since then I have had a renewed interest in discovering my own family tree. I may not find anything as exciting as 19th century sugar refiners but I like the idea of learning about one’s roots and knowing where I come from.
Do you enjoy family history programmes? Have you researched your own family tree and discovered any interesting stories or people? What do you think is the appeal of learning about our ancestors?
Nicola, you must be a hive of industry! I don’t know where you find the time to do all that you do.
As you know, I learned that my father’s grandparents lived in the Ashdown Stables. Above the stalls there was one long room. My Dad and his gp’s lived at one end and the cooking and washing was done at the other end. My great grandmother cooked for all the jockeys and others who resided there and also did their laundry. My great grandfather was a trainer. At various times he was a jockey, groom, coachman but may or may not have been a trainer. He worked for several racing stables over the course of his life so if he wasn’t a trainer at Ashdown, he could have been in his younger days. Sometimes things get a little polish!
While I have traced my tree back a few centuries, for some reason I am enthralled by this branch and have come to love all things Ashdown.
Nicola, you must be a hive of industry! I don’t know where you find the time to do all that you do.
As you know, I learned that my father’s grandparents lived in the Ashdown Stables. Above the stalls there was one long room. My Dad and his gp’s lived at one end and the cooking and washing was done at the other end. My great grandmother cooked for all the jockeys and others who resided there and also did their laundry. My great grandfather was a trainer. At various times he was a jockey, groom, coachman but may or may not have been a trainer. He worked for several racing stables over the course of his life so if he wasn’t a trainer at Ashdown, he could have been in his younger days. Sometimes things get a little polish!
While I have traced my tree back a few centuries, for some reason I am enthralled by this branch and have come to love all things Ashdown.
Nicola, you must be a hive of industry! I don’t know where you find the time to do all that you do.
As you know, I learned that my father’s grandparents lived in the Ashdown Stables. Above the stalls there was one long room. My Dad and his gp’s lived at one end and the cooking and washing was done at the other end. My great grandmother cooked for all the jockeys and others who resided there and also did their laundry. My great grandfather was a trainer. At various times he was a jockey, groom, coachman but may or may not have been a trainer. He worked for several racing stables over the course of his life so if he wasn’t a trainer at Ashdown, he could have been in his younger days. Sometimes things get a little polish!
While I have traced my tree back a few centuries, for some reason I am enthralled by this branch and have come to love all things Ashdown.
Nicola, you must be a hive of industry! I don’t know where you find the time to do all that you do.
As you know, I learned that my father’s grandparents lived in the Ashdown Stables. Above the stalls there was one long room. My Dad and his gp’s lived at one end and the cooking and washing was done at the other end. My great grandmother cooked for all the jockeys and others who resided there and also did their laundry. My great grandfather was a trainer. At various times he was a jockey, groom, coachman but may or may not have been a trainer. He worked for several racing stables over the course of his life so if he wasn’t a trainer at Ashdown, he could have been in his younger days. Sometimes things get a little polish!
While I have traced my tree back a few centuries, for some reason I am enthralled by this branch and have come to love all things Ashdown.
Nicola, you must be a hive of industry! I don’t know where you find the time to do all that you do.
As you know, I learned that my father’s grandparents lived in the Ashdown Stables. Above the stalls there was one long room. My Dad and his gp’s lived at one end and the cooking and washing was done at the other end. My great grandmother cooked for all the jockeys and others who resided there and also did their laundry. My great grandfather was a trainer. At various times he was a jockey, groom, coachman but may or may not have been a trainer. He worked for several racing stables over the course of his life so if he wasn’t a trainer at Ashdown, he could have been in his younger days. Sometimes things get a little polish!
While I have traced my tree back a few centuries, for some reason I am enthralled by this branch and have come to love all things Ashdown.
I’ve watched quite a few episodes of “Who Do You Think You Are?” – British-Australian-US versions. What astonishes me is how little interest people take in their family history until they go on something like that! Heritage is so special, and so important.
I wrote a big rant, but basically: in my grandparents’ lifetime, Ukraine was invaded and occupied by Poland, Hungary, Russia, and the Nazis, and all our family records are long gone.
I have some Northern Irish ancestry, too, but even then our silly relatives are from the most obscure, undocumented places!
Often I think it would be so wonderful to be English (or something similar). I’d love to dig into the history of everything. I’d LOVE to be able to trace my family back generations. 🙂
I’ve watched quite a few episodes of “Who Do You Think You Are?” – British-Australian-US versions. What astonishes me is how little interest people take in their family history until they go on something like that! Heritage is so special, and so important.
I wrote a big rant, but basically: in my grandparents’ lifetime, Ukraine was invaded and occupied by Poland, Hungary, Russia, and the Nazis, and all our family records are long gone.
I have some Northern Irish ancestry, too, but even then our silly relatives are from the most obscure, undocumented places!
Often I think it would be so wonderful to be English (or something similar). I’d love to dig into the history of everything. I’d LOVE to be able to trace my family back generations. 🙂
I’ve watched quite a few episodes of “Who Do You Think You Are?” – British-Australian-US versions. What astonishes me is how little interest people take in their family history until they go on something like that! Heritage is so special, and so important.
I wrote a big rant, but basically: in my grandparents’ lifetime, Ukraine was invaded and occupied by Poland, Hungary, Russia, and the Nazis, and all our family records are long gone.
I have some Northern Irish ancestry, too, but even then our silly relatives are from the most obscure, undocumented places!
Often I think it would be so wonderful to be English (or something similar). I’d love to dig into the history of everything. I’d LOVE to be able to trace my family back generations. 🙂
I’ve watched quite a few episodes of “Who Do You Think You Are?” – British-Australian-US versions. What astonishes me is how little interest people take in their family history until they go on something like that! Heritage is so special, and so important.
I wrote a big rant, but basically: in my grandparents’ lifetime, Ukraine was invaded and occupied by Poland, Hungary, Russia, and the Nazis, and all our family records are long gone.
I have some Northern Irish ancestry, too, but even then our silly relatives are from the most obscure, undocumented places!
Often I think it would be so wonderful to be English (or something similar). I’d love to dig into the history of everything. I’d LOVE to be able to trace my family back generations. 🙂
I’ve watched quite a few episodes of “Who Do You Think You Are?” – British-Australian-US versions. What astonishes me is how little interest people take in their family history until they go on something like that! Heritage is so special, and so important.
I wrote a big rant, but basically: in my grandparents’ lifetime, Ukraine was invaded and occupied by Poland, Hungary, Russia, and the Nazis, and all our family records are long gone.
I have some Northern Irish ancestry, too, but even then our silly relatives are from the most obscure, undocumented places!
Often I think it would be so wonderful to be English (or something similar). I’d love to dig into the history of everything. I’d LOVE to be able to trace my family back generations. 🙂
We have an American program that sounds similar, “Finding your Roots.” I find it so interesting. The process of research is amazingly difficult in an immigrant country like the U.S.A. The researchers have to be able to access records not written in English. I suppose they contract out to local researchers who know the languages. And there are also the difficulties of finding records for descendants of slaves whose names were changed. One of the most amazing findings was in the family of Maya Lin, the architect who designed the Vietnam memorial. They were able to document her family back to some distant past. I can’t remember the exact number, but believe it was more than 1000 years. And in her family there was another female architect that she didn’t know about at all. It’s not just physical characteristics that we get from our forbears, it’s also talents and interests.
We have an American program that sounds similar, “Finding your Roots.” I find it so interesting. The process of research is amazingly difficult in an immigrant country like the U.S.A. The researchers have to be able to access records not written in English. I suppose they contract out to local researchers who know the languages. And there are also the difficulties of finding records for descendants of slaves whose names were changed. One of the most amazing findings was in the family of Maya Lin, the architect who designed the Vietnam memorial. They were able to document her family back to some distant past. I can’t remember the exact number, but believe it was more than 1000 years. And in her family there was another female architect that she didn’t know about at all. It’s not just physical characteristics that we get from our forbears, it’s also talents and interests.
We have an American program that sounds similar, “Finding your Roots.” I find it so interesting. The process of research is amazingly difficult in an immigrant country like the U.S.A. The researchers have to be able to access records not written in English. I suppose they contract out to local researchers who know the languages. And there are also the difficulties of finding records for descendants of slaves whose names were changed. One of the most amazing findings was in the family of Maya Lin, the architect who designed the Vietnam memorial. They were able to document her family back to some distant past. I can’t remember the exact number, but believe it was more than 1000 years. And in her family there was another female architect that she didn’t know about at all. It’s not just physical characteristics that we get from our forbears, it’s also talents and interests.
We have an American program that sounds similar, “Finding your Roots.” I find it so interesting. The process of research is amazingly difficult in an immigrant country like the U.S.A. The researchers have to be able to access records not written in English. I suppose they contract out to local researchers who know the languages. And there are also the difficulties of finding records for descendants of slaves whose names were changed. One of the most amazing findings was in the family of Maya Lin, the architect who designed the Vietnam memorial. They were able to document her family back to some distant past. I can’t remember the exact number, but believe it was more than 1000 years. And in her family there was another female architect that she didn’t know about at all. It’s not just physical characteristics that we get from our forbears, it’s also talents and interests.
We have an American program that sounds similar, “Finding your Roots.” I find it so interesting. The process of research is amazingly difficult in an immigrant country like the U.S.A. The researchers have to be able to access records not written in English. I suppose they contract out to local researchers who know the languages. And there are also the difficulties of finding records for descendants of slaves whose names were changed. One of the most amazing findings was in the family of Maya Lin, the architect who designed the Vietnam memorial. They were able to document her family back to some distant past. I can’t remember the exact number, but believe it was more than 1000 years. And in her family there was another female architect that she didn’t know about at all. It’s not just physical characteristics that we get from our forbears, it’s also talents and interests.
Anne, your story is the perfect example of why I love talking to people with Ashdown connections; there is so much detail you can add to our picture of the place in the past. It makes it come alive for us to know the names of people who lived and work there and also to hear what the place was like in those days. It’s the sort of real stuff you can’t get from the records!
Anne, your story is the perfect example of why I love talking to people with Ashdown connections; there is so much detail you can add to our picture of the place in the past. It makes it come alive for us to know the names of people who lived and work there and also to hear what the place was like in those days. It’s the sort of real stuff you can’t get from the records!
Anne, your story is the perfect example of why I love talking to people with Ashdown connections; there is so much detail you can add to our picture of the place in the past. It makes it come alive for us to know the names of people who lived and work there and also to hear what the place was like in those days. It’s the sort of real stuff you can’t get from the records!
Anne, your story is the perfect example of why I love talking to people with Ashdown connections; there is so much detail you can add to our picture of the place in the past. It makes it come alive for us to know the names of people who lived and work there and also to hear what the place was like in those days. It’s the sort of real stuff you can’t get from the records!
Anne, your story is the perfect example of why I love talking to people with Ashdown connections; there is so much detail you can add to our picture of the place in the past. It makes it come alive for us to know the names of people who lived and work there and also to hear what the place was like in those days. It’s the sort of real stuff you can’t get from the records!
I agree, Sonya. History and heritage are so important and special but I suspect that you, more than a great many people, have reason to cherish them. It seems to me a case of people not always realising how fortunate they are until something such as a programme like that puts it in front of them and makes them think. Whereas you have had a great many reasons to think about it in depth. I so like the fact that having been on the programme, a great many people realise how important their heritage is and it also makes a lot of viewers much more aware of their histories.
I agree, Sonya. History and heritage are so important and special but I suspect that you, more than a great many people, have reason to cherish them. It seems to me a case of people not always realising how fortunate they are until something such as a programme like that puts it in front of them and makes them think. Whereas you have had a great many reasons to think about it in depth. I so like the fact that having been on the programme, a great many people realise how important their heritage is and it also makes a lot of viewers much more aware of their histories.
I agree, Sonya. History and heritage are so important and special but I suspect that you, more than a great many people, have reason to cherish them. It seems to me a case of people not always realising how fortunate they are until something such as a programme like that puts it in front of them and makes them think. Whereas you have had a great many reasons to think about it in depth. I so like the fact that having been on the programme, a great many people realise how important their heritage is and it also makes a lot of viewers much more aware of their histories.
I agree, Sonya. History and heritage are so important and special but I suspect that you, more than a great many people, have reason to cherish them. It seems to me a case of people not always realising how fortunate they are until something such as a programme like that puts it in front of them and makes them think. Whereas you have had a great many reasons to think about it in depth. I so like the fact that having been on the programme, a great many people realise how important their heritage is and it also makes a lot of viewers much more aware of their histories.
I agree, Sonya. History and heritage are so important and special but I suspect that you, more than a great many people, have reason to cherish them. It seems to me a case of people not always realising how fortunate they are until something such as a programme like that puts it in front of them and makes them think. Whereas you have had a great many reasons to think about it in depth. I so like the fact that having been on the programme, a great many people realise how important their heritage is and it also makes a lot of viewers much more aware of their histories.
Hi Kathy, yes I also find that one of the most fascinating aspects of history, the fact that people discover others in their family were artists or actors or activists. That’s one of the things I would love to know about my own ancestors; I don’t know if anyone was a writer! But even in the UK it can be difficult to find the correct records once you get earlier than the first censuses, unless you can find a famous connection, of course.
Hi Kathy, yes I also find that one of the most fascinating aspects of history, the fact that people discover others in their family were artists or actors or activists. That’s one of the things I would love to know about my own ancestors; I don’t know if anyone was a writer! But even in the UK it can be difficult to find the correct records once you get earlier than the first censuses, unless you can find a famous connection, of course.
Hi Kathy, yes I also find that one of the most fascinating aspects of history, the fact that people discover others in their family were artists or actors or activists. That’s one of the things I would love to know about my own ancestors; I don’t know if anyone was a writer! But even in the UK it can be difficult to find the correct records once you get earlier than the first censuses, unless you can find a famous connection, of course.
Hi Kathy, yes I also find that one of the most fascinating aspects of history, the fact that people discover others in their family were artists or actors or activists. That’s one of the things I would love to know about my own ancestors; I don’t know if anyone was a writer! But even in the UK it can be difficult to find the correct records once you get earlier than the first censuses, unless you can find a famous connection, of course.
Hi Kathy, yes I also find that one of the most fascinating aspects of history, the fact that people discover others in their family were artists or actors or activists. That’s one of the things I would love to know about my own ancestors; I don’t know if anyone was a writer! But even in the UK it can be difficult to find the correct records once you get earlier than the first censuses, unless you can find a famous connection, of course.
I have been doing active work in genealogy for the past ten years; I’m tracing my roots, the family of my first husband (for our children’s sakes), and the family of my second husband for his sake.
So far, what I have found is artisans, farmers, teachers, small merchants. No scandal, no illustrious relatives. I wouldn’t mind a black sheep or a royal, but that isn’t what I’m searching for. I’m looking for what so many people are telling you about Ashdown House. I am finding my families’ places in everyday history. And this makes history more real. For example (not proven, because not yet researched) my uncle (mother’s brother-in-law) told about tending (holding) the horses while his relative filed his claim when the “Indian land” of Oklahoma became open for filing. And my great-grandfather earned land in Missouri through his fighting in the Florida wars. No longer textbook history, but real people in real places.
I have been doing active work in genealogy for the past ten years; I’m tracing my roots, the family of my first husband (for our children’s sakes), and the family of my second husband for his sake.
So far, what I have found is artisans, farmers, teachers, small merchants. No scandal, no illustrious relatives. I wouldn’t mind a black sheep or a royal, but that isn’t what I’m searching for. I’m looking for what so many people are telling you about Ashdown House. I am finding my families’ places in everyday history. And this makes history more real. For example (not proven, because not yet researched) my uncle (mother’s brother-in-law) told about tending (holding) the horses while his relative filed his claim when the “Indian land” of Oklahoma became open for filing. And my great-grandfather earned land in Missouri through his fighting in the Florida wars. No longer textbook history, but real people in real places.
I have been doing active work in genealogy for the past ten years; I’m tracing my roots, the family of my first husband (for our children’s sakes), and the family of my second husband for his sake.
So far, what I have found is artisans, farmers, teachers, small merchants. No scandal, no illustrious relatives. I wouldn’t mind a black sheep or a royal, but that isn’t what I’m searching for. I’m looking for what so many people are telling you about Ashdown House. I am finding my families’ places in everyday history. And this makes history more real. For example (not proven, because not yet researched) my uncle (mother’s brother-in-law) told about tending (holding) the horses while his relative filed his claim when the “Indian land” of Oklahoma became open for filing. And my great-grandfather earned land in Missouri through his fighting in the Florida wars. No longer textbook history, but real people in real places.
I have been doing active work in genealogy for the past ten years; I’m tracing my roots, the family of my first husband (for our children’s sakes), and the family of my second husband for his sake.
So far, what I have found is artisans, farmers, teachers, small merchants. No scandal, no illustrious relatives. I wouldn’t mind a black sheep or a royal, but that isn’t what I’m searching for. I’m looking for what so many people are telling you about Ashdown House. I am finding my families’ places in everyday history. And this makes history more real. For example (not proven, because not yet researched) my uncle (mother’s brother-in-law) told about tending (holding) the horses while his relative filed his claim when the “Indian land” of Oklahoma became open for filing. And my great-grandfather earned land in Missouri through his fighting in the Florida wars. No longer textbook history, but real people in real places.
I have been doing active work in genealogy for the past ten years; I’m tracing my roots, the family of my first husband (for our children’s sakes), and the family of my second husband for his sake.
So far, what I have found is artisans, farmers, teachers, small merchants. No scandal, no illustrious relatives. I wouldn’t mind a black sheep or a royal, but that isn’t what I’m searching for. I’m looking for what so many people are telling you about Ashdown House. I am finding my families’ places in everyday history. And this makes history more real. For example (not proven, because not yet researched) my uncle (mother’s brother-in-law) told about tending (holding) the horses while his relative filed his claim when the “Indian land” of Oklahoma became open for filing. And my great-grandfather earned land in Missouri through his fighting in the Florida wars. No longer textbook history, but real people in real places.
My husband and I are big fans of WDYTYA and Finding Your Roots as well. We both come from families that really didn’t find our history worth preserving so there’s no records, no stories, nothing. I took what I could and then we did DNA for ancestry purposes and it’s been interesting. My DNA is English. Very very English with a little Welsh and Irish. My husbands was Irish, Scottish and English with some Nordic drops in there. I have followed his line back (with assistance from some of his distant cousins) and have him related (albeit distantly) to Richard I. Mine on the other hand is very difficult. We are finding little bit and pieces but for the most part we were farmers on one side and dentists and barbers on the other. I’m convinced that the ancestors that came to the US were indentured servants or similar looking for the opportunity for a better life. So far I’m stuck but still working at it.
My husband and I are big fans of WDYTYA and Finding Your Roots as well. We both come from families that really didn’t find our history worth preserving so there’s no records, no stories, nothing. I took what I could and then we did DNA for ancestry purposes and it’s been interesting. My DNA is English. Very very English with a little Welsh and Irish. My husbands was Irish, Scottish and English with some Nordic drops in there. I have followed his line back (with assistance from some of his distant cousins) and have him related (albeit distantly) to Richard I. Mine on the other hand is very difficult. We are finding little bit and pieces but for the most part we were farmers on one side and dentists and barbers on the other. I’m convinced that the ancestors that came to the US were indentured servants or similar looking for the opportunity for a better life. So far I’m stuck but still working at it.
My husband and I are big fans of WDYTYA and Finding Your Roots as well. We both come from families that really didn’t find our history worth preserving so there’s no records, no stories, nothing. I took what I could and then we did DNA for ancestry purposes and it’s been interesting. My DNA is English. Very very English with a little Welsh and Irish. My husbands was Irish, Scottish and English with some Nordic drops in there. I have followed his line back (with assistance from some of his distant cousins) and have him related (albeit distantly) to Richard I. Mine on the other hand is very difficult. We are finding little bit and pieces but for the most part we were farmers on one side and dentists and barbers on the other. I’m convinced that the ancestors that came to the US were indentured servants or similar looking for the opportunity for a better life. So far I’m stuck but still working at it.
My husband and I are big fans of WDYTYA and Finding Your Roots as well. We both come from families that really didn’t find our history worth preserving so there’s no records, no stories, nothing. I took what I could and then we did DNA for ancestry purposes and it’s been interesting. My DNA is English. Very very English with a little Welsh and Irish. My husbands was Irish, Scottish and English with some Nordic drops in there. I have followed his line back (with assistance from some of his distant cousins) and have him related (albeit distantly) to Richard I. Mine on the other hand is very difficult. We are finding little bit and pieces but for the most part we were farmers on one side and dentists and barbers on the other. I’m convinced that the ancestors that came to the US were indentured servants or similar looking for the opportunity for a better life. So far I’m stuck but still working at it.
My husband and I are big fans of WDYTYA and Finding Your Roots as well. We both come from families that really didn’t find our history worth preserving so there’s no records, no stories, nothing. I took what I could and then we did DNA for ancestry purposes and it’s been interesting. My DNA is English. Very very English with a little Welsh and Irish. My husbands was Irish, Scottish and English with some Nordic drops in there. I have followed his line back (with assistance from some of his distant cousins) and have him related (albeit distantly) to Richard I. Mine on the other hand is very difficult. We are finding little bit and pieces but for the most part we were farmers on one side and dentists and barbers on the other. I’m convinced that the ancestors that came to the US were indentured servants or similar looking for the opportunity for a better life. So far I’m stuck but still working at it.
Thank you for sharing some of your family history, Sue. Those real stories of real people are what connect all of us to our pasts, I think. I love reading stories of other people’s famous connections but discovering how our ancestors really lived feels much more “alive” in the sense of connecting me to the past.
Thank you for sharing some of your family history, Sue. Those real stories of real people are what connect all of us to our pasts, I think. I love reading stories of other people’s famous connections but discovering how our ancestors really lived feels much more “alive” in the sense of connecting me to the past.
Thank you for sharing some of your family history, Sue. Those real stories of real people are what connect all of us to our pasts, I think. I love reading stories of other people’s famous connections but discovering how our ancestors really lived feels much more “alive” in the sense of connecting me to the past.
Thank you for sharing some of your family history, Sue. Those real stories of real people are what connect all of us to our pasts, I think. I love reading stories of other people’s famous connections but discovering how our ancestors really lived feels much more “alive” in the sense of connecting me to the past.
Thank you for sharing some of your family history, Sue. Those real stories of real people are what connect all of us to our pasts, I think. I love reading stories of other people’s famous connections but discovering how our ancestors really lived feels much more “alive” in the sense of connecting me to the past.
Not truly the place, BUT StephanieL are you connected to the genealogy groups on Facebook? They have some great help. You can find me (Sue McCormick) there, and I’ll provide additional examples.
Not truly the place, BUT StephanieL are you connected to the genealogy groups on Facebook? They have some great help. You can find me (Sue McCormick) there, and I’ll provide additional examples.
Not truly the place, BUT StephanieL are you connected to the genealogy groups on Facebook? They have some great help. You can find me (Sue McCormick) there, and I’ll provide additional examples.
Not truly the place, BUT StephanieL are you connected to the genealogy groups on Facebook? They have some great help. You can find me (Sue McCormick) there, and I’ll provide additional examples.
Not truly the place, BUT StephanieL are you connected to the genealogy groups on Facebook? They have some great help. You can find me (Sue McCormick) there, and I’ll provide additional examples.
My mom and my sister are very, very into genealogy. The bug passed me over and I’m more than willing for it to be my sister in this generation. Though I do love hearing the stories and reading what they write.
They have found some fascinating stuff because they dig, dig, dig. One brick wall my sister has been working on for 15 years. She finally shifted it a bit and was sooo excited.
Turns out one of my mom’s lines had the wander bug in them. They would stay somewhere for 4 or 5 or 6 years, move, stay 4-6 years, move. Sometimes to a new place, sometimes back to the place they had been.
There are good solid citizens and then there are the shysters and not so solid citizens. One lady in Alabama was married to a Confederate soldier but was also in the pay of the Union. She ended up getting a pension from the Union. Actually, we think she was paid by both sides.
Another line for the past 120 years, everyone kept getting divorced. Even back in the days when divorce was scandalous and you were doomed.
There are the Mayflower ancestors, the German immigrants, those recently from England (ie 1900). And then…there is the Mutineer…..that is a fascinating story. He was a contrary, obstinate person and mutinied in Bermuda. He was finally given the choice, help build a new ship or we’ll chop your head off. He chose to help build the new ship. I think it was one of those “Come to Jesus” moments as we say here in the south. He saw the light…
Mostly all the ancestors were farmers until the early 1900’s when one line started popping out lawyers (uh oh..). But usually it was teachers, store help, worked in plants, typesetters at the newspaper, etc, etc.
But only as they moved into the towns and cities and got different jobs.
My mom and my sister are very, very into genealogy. The bug passed me over and I’m more than willing for it to be my sister in this generation. Though I do love hearing the stories and reading what they write.
They have found some fascinating stuff because they dig, dig, dig. One brick wall my sister has been working on for 15 years. She finally shifted it a bit and was sooo excited.
Turns out one of my mom’s lines had the wander bug in them. They would stay somewhere for 4 or 5 or 6 years, move, stay 4-6 years, move. Sometimes to a new place, sometimes back to the place they had been.
There are good solid citizens and then there are the shysters and not so solid citizens. One lady in Alabama was married to a Confederate soldier but was also in the pay of the Union. She ended up getting a pension from the Union. Actually, we think she was paid by both sides.
Another line for the past 120 years, everyone kept getting divorced. Even back in the days when divorce was scandalous and you were doomed.
There are the Mayflower ancestors, the German immigrants, those recently from England (ie 1900). And then…there is the Mutineer…..that is a fascinating story. He was a contrary, obstinate person and mutinied in Bermuda. He was finally given the choice, help build a new ship or we’ll chop your head off. He chose to help build the new ship. I think it was one of those “Come to Jesus” moments as we say here in the south. He saw the light…
Mostly all the ancestors were farmers until the early 1900’s when one line started popping out lawyers (uh oh..). But usually it was teachers, store help, worked in plants, typesetters at the newspaper, etc, etc.
But only as they moved into the towns and cities and got different jobs.
My mom and my sister are very, very into genealogy. The bug passed me over and I’m more than willing for it to be my sister in this generation. Though I do love hearing the stories and reading what they write.
They have found some fascinating stuff because they dig, dig, dig. One brick wall my sister has been working on for 15 years. She finally shifted it a bit and was sooo excited.
Turns out one of my mom’s lines had the wander bug in them. They would stay somewhere for 4 or 5 or 6 years, move, stay 4-6 years, move. Sometimes to a new place, sometimes back to the place they had been.
There are good solid citizens and then there are the shysters and not so solid citizens. One lady in Alabama was married to a Confederate soldier but was also in the pay of the Union. She ended up getting a pension from the Union. Actually, we think she was paid by both sides.
Another line for the past 120 years, everyone kept getting divorced. Even back in the days when divorce was scandalous and you were doomed.
There are the Mayflower ancestors, the German immigrants, those recently from England (ie 1900). And then…there is the Mutineer…..that is a fascinating story. He was a contrary, obstinate person and mutinied in Bermuda. He was finally given the choice, help build a new ship or we’ll chop your head off. He chose to help build the new ship. I think it was one of those “Come to Jesus” moments as we say here in the south. He saw the light…
Mostly all the ancestors were farmers until the early 1900’s when one line started popping out lawyers (uh oh..). But usually it was teachers, store help, worked in plants, typesetters at the newspaper, etc, etc.
But only as they moved into the towns and cities and got different jobs.
My mom and my sister are very, very into genealogy. The bug passed me over and I’m more than willing for it to be my sister in this generation. Though I do love hearing the stories and reading what they write.
They have found some fascinating stuff because they dig, dig, dig. One brick wall my sister has been working on for 15 years. She finally shifted it a bit and was sooo excited.
Turns out one of my mom’s lines had the wander bug in them. They would stay somewhere for 4 or 5 or 6 years, move, stay 4-6 years, move. Sometimes to a new place, sometimes back to the place they had been.
There are good solid citizens and then there are the shysters and not so solid citizens. One lady in Alabama was married to a Confederate soldier but was also in the pay of the Union. She ended up getting a pension from the Union. Actually, we think she was paid by both sides.
Another line for the past 120 years, everyone kept getting divorced. Even back in the days when divorce was scandalous and you were doomed.
There are the Mayflower ancestors, the German immigrants, those recently from England (ie 1900). And then…there is the Mutineer…..that is a fascinating story. He was a contrary, obstinate person and mutinied in Bermuda. He was finally given the choice, help build a new ship or we’ll chop your head off. He chose to help build the new ship. I think it was one of those “Come to Jesus” moments as we say here in the south. He saw the light…
Mostly all the ancestors were farmers until the early 1900’s when one line started popping out lawyers (uh oh..). But usually it was teachers, store help, worked in plants, typesetters at the newspaper, etc, etc.
But only as they moved into the towns and cities and got different jobs.
My mom and my sister are very, very into genealogy. The bug passed me over and I’m more than willing for it to be my sister in this generation. Though I do love hearing the stories and reading what they write.
They have found some fascinating stuff because they dig, dig, dig. One brick wall my sister has been working on for 15 years. She finally shifted it a bit and was sooo excited.
Turns out one of my mom’s lines had the wander bug in them. They would stay somewhere for 4 or 5 or 6 years, move, stay 4-6 years, move. Sometimes to a new place, sometimes back to the place they had been.
There are good solid citizens and then there are the shysters and not so solid citizens. One lady in Alabama was married to a Confederate soldier but was also in the pay of the Union. She ended up getting a pension from the Union. Actually, we think she was paid by both sides.
Another line for the past 120 years, everyone kept getting divorced. Even back in the days when divorce was scandalous and you were doomed.
There are the Mayflower ancestors, the German immigrants, those recently from England (ie 1900). And then…there is the Mutineer…..that is a fascinating story. He was a contrary, obstinate person and mutinied in Bermuda. He was finally given the choice, help build a new ship or we’ll chop your head off. He chose to help build the new ship. I think it was one of those “Come to Jesus” moments as we say here in the south. He saw the light…
Mostly all the ancestors were farmers until the early 1900’s when one line started popping out lawyers (uh oh..). But usually it was teachers, store help, worked in plants, typesetters at the newspaper, etc, etc.
But only as they moved into the towns and cities and got different jobs.
I’m been doing genealogy seriously for a couple of years. Most of my ancestors are Scottish, and I’ve been able to trace most lines back to the late 1700’s when, as Nicola says, it gets way more difficult. My ancestors seem to have been in either textiles or mining. One great great grandfather was in a calendaring business in Glasgow with his brothers. Unfortunately, he died young and, according to family lore, his widow was “done out of” her share of the business by claims of hard times during the American civil war (reduced cotton imports). My great grandfather was instead helped by a maternal uncle who owned a newspaper in Hamilton, and he rose to become the head financial officer of the company. Other ancestors were involved in hand loom weaving and lace making. It’s no wonder I have drawers full of hand embroidered linens handed down to me. I also enjoy sewing and have embroidered in the past. Perhaps the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree (although we won’t mention the 18th century Virginian who murdered his doctor and then disappeared, leaving his wife and children to descend into poverty!)
I’m been doing genealogy seriously for a couple of years. Most of my ancestors are Scottish, and I’ve been able to trace most lines back to the late 1700’s when, as Nicola says, it gets way more difficult. My ancestors seem to have been in either textiles or mining. One great great grandfather was in a calendaring business in Glasgow with his brothers. Unfortunately, he died young and, according to family lore, his widow was “done out of” her share of the business by claims of hard times during the American civil war (reduced cotton imports). My great grandfather was instead helped by a maternal uncle who owned a newspaper in Hamilton, and he rose to become the head financial officer of the company. Other ancestors were involved in hand loom weaving and lace making. It’s no wonder I have drawers full of hand embroidered linens handed down to me. I also enjoy sewing and have embroidered in the past. Perhaps the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree (although we won’t mention the 18th century Virginian who murdered his doctor and then disappeared, leaving his wife and children to descend into poverty!)
I’m been doing genealogy seriously for a couple of years. Most of my ancestors are Scottish, and I’ve been able to trace most lines back to the late 1700’s when, as Nicola says, it gets way more difficult. My ancestors seem to have been in either textiles or mining. One great great grandfather was in a calendaring business in Glasgow with his brothers. Unfortunately, he died young and, according to family lore, his widow was “done out of” her share of the business by claims of hard times during the American civil war (reduced cotton imports). My great grandfather was instead helped by a maternal uncle who owned a newspaper in Hamilton, and he rose to become the head financial officer of the company. Other ancestors were involved in hand loom weaving and lace making. It’s no wonder I have drawers full of hand embroidered linens handed down to me. I also enjoy sewing and have embroidered in the past. Perhaps the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree (although we won’t mention the 18th century Virginian who murdered his doctor and then disappeared, leaving his wife and children to descend into poverty!)
I’m been doing genealogy seriously for a couple of years. Most of my ancestors are Scottish, and I’ve been able to trace most lines back to the late 1700’s when, as Nicola says, it gets way more difficult. My ancestors seem to have been in either textiles or mining. One great great grandfather was in a calendaring business in Glasgow with his brothers. Unfortunately, he died young and, according to family lore, his widow was “done out of” her share of the business by claims of hard times during the American civil war (reduced cotton imports). My great grandfather was instead helped by a maternal uncle who owned a newspaper in Hamilton, and he rose to become the head financial officer of the company. Other ancestors were involved in hand loom weaving and lace making. It’s no wonder I have drawers full of hand embroidered linens handed down to me. I also enjoy sewing and have embroidered in the past. Perhaps the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree (although we won’t mention the 18th century Virginian who murdered his doctor and then disappeared, leaving his wife and children to descend into poverty!)
I’m been doing genealogy seriously for a couple of years. Most of my ancestors are Scottish, and I’ve been able to trace most lines back to the late 1700’s when, as Nicola says, it gets way more difficult. My ancestors seem to have been in either textiles or mining. One great great grandfather was in a calendaring business in Glasgow with his brothers. Unfortunately, he died young and, according to family lore, his widow was “done out of” her share of the business by claims of hard times during the American civil war (reduced cotton imports). My great grandfather was instead helped by a maternal uncle who owned a newspaper in Hamilton, and he rose to become the head financial officer of the company. Other ancestors were involved in hand loom weaving and lace making. It’s no wonder I have drawers full of hand embroidered linens handed down to me. I also enjoy sewing and have embroidered in the past. Perhaps the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree (although we won’t mention the 18th century Virginian who murdered his doctor and then disappeared, leaving his wife and children to descend into poverty!)
Vicki, I was happy to find the record of my grandmother’s divorce because for a while I was afraid she had married my grandfather without divorcing her first husband. It was a big relief to find she was not a bigamist! My grandparents married in Lake County, Indiana, which was known as an American “Gretna Green,” quick weddings with few questions asked.
Vicki, I was happy to find the record of my grandmother’s divorce because for a while I was afraid she had married my grandfather without divorcing her first husband. It was a big relief to find she was not a bigamist! My grandparents married in Lake County, Indiana, which was known as an American “Gretna Green,” quick weddings with few questions asked.
Vicki, I was happy to find the record of my grandmother’s divorce because for a while I was afraid she had married my grandfather without divorcing her first husband. It was a big relief to find she was not a bigamist! My grandparents married in Lake County, Indiana, which was known as an American “Gretna Green,” quick weddings with few questions asked.
Vicki, I was happy to find the record of my grandmother’s divorce because for a while I was afraid she had married my grandfather without divorcing her first husband. It was a big relief to find she was not a bigamist! My grandparents married in Lake County, Indiana, which was known as an American “Gretna Green,” quick weddings with few questions asked.
Vicki, I was happy to find the record of my grandmother’s divorce because for a while I was afraid she had married my grandfather without divorcing her first husband. It was a big relief to find she was not a bigamist! My grandparents married in Lake County, Indiana, which was known as an American “Gretna Green,” quick weddings with few questions asked.
Stephanie, I would love to do the ancestry DNA testing. I find it absolutely fascinating. Like you I have come up against problems in tracing my family beyond a certain point but again, I’m still working at it. Best of luck with your search!
Stephanie, I would love to do the ancestry DNA testing. I find it absolutely fascinating. Like you I have come up against problems in tracing my family beyond a certain point but again, I’m still working at it. Best of luck with your search!
Stephanie, I would love to do the ancestry DNA testing. I find it absolutely fascinating. Like you I have come up against problems in tracing my family beyond a certain point but again, I’m still working at it. Best of luck with your search!
Stephanie, I would love to do the ancestry DNA testing. I find it absolutely fascinating. Like you I have come up against problems in tracing my family beyond a certain point but again, I’m still working at it. Best of luck with your search!
Stephanie, I would love to do the ancestry DNA testing. I find it absolutely fascinating. Like you I have come up against problems in tracing my family beyond a certain point but again, I’m still working at it. Best of luck with your search!
Vicki, what absolutely fascinating stories! Any one of them could inspire a book. I love how our families can reveal such richness and variety in human relationships. I particularly love the story of your ancestress during the Civil War!
Vicki, what absolutely fascinating stories! Any one of them could inspire a book. I love how our families can reveal such richness and variety in human relationships. I particularly love the story of your ancestress during the Civil War!
Vicki, what absolutely fascinating stories! Any one of them could inspire a book. I love how our families can reveal such richness and variety in human relationships. I particularly love the story of your ancestress during the Civil War!
Vicki, what absolutely fascinating stories! Any one of them could inspire a book. I love how our families can reveal such richness and variety in human relationships. I particularly love the story of your ancestress during the Civil War!
Vicki, what absolutely fascinating stories! Any one of them could inspire a book. I love how our families can reveal such richness and variety in human relationships. I particularly love the story of your ancestress during the Civil War!
LOL, Linda, on the bigamy. It did seem to happen a fair bit. I hadn’t heard about Lake County Indiana. That’s very interesting!
LOL, Linda, on the bigamy. It did seem to happen a fair bit. I hadn’t heard about Lake County Indiana. That’s very interesting!
LOL, Linda, on the bigamy. It did seem to happen a fair bit. I hadn’t heard about Lake County Indiana. That’s very interesting!
LOL, Linda, on the bigamy. It did seem to happen a fair bit. I hadn’t heard about Lake County Indiana. That’s very interesting!
LOL, Linda, on the bigamy. It did seem to happen a fair bit. I hadn’t heard about Lake County Indiana. That’s very interesting!
Wow, Linda, some more utterly amazing family stories! I love the way we can find out about our families as real – flawed – people! And the stories they have to tell… You could not make them up!
Wow, Linda, some more utterly amazing family stories! I love the way we can find out about our families as real – flawed – people! And the stories they have to tell… You could not make them up!
Wow, Linda, some more utterly amazing family stories! I love the way we can find out about our families as real – flawed – people! And the stories they have to tell… You could not make them up!
Wow, Linda, some more utterly amazing family stories! I love the way we can find out about our families as real – flawed – people! And the stories they have to tell… You could not make them up!
Wow, Linda, some more utterly amazing family stories! I love the way we can find out about our families as real – flawed – people! And the stories they have to tell… You could not make them up!
Yep…there is one lady we don’t know if she had a son out of wedlock, was she really married or who the son’s father really is since SHE kept changing her name. Was she married or did she just go from man to man. Or just change her name as she moved from one place to another.
The son had 4 different last names during 4 different census takings. Why…who knows. They didn’t always correspond to his mother’s name either… And he wasn’t always living with his mother to confuse matters even more.
Yep…there is one lady we don’t know if she had a son out of wedlock, was she really married or who the son’s father really is since SHE kept changing her name. Was she married or did she just go from man to man. Or just change her name as she moved from one place to another.
The son had 4 different last names during 4 different census takings. Why…who knows. They didn’t always correspond to his mother’s name either… And he wasn’t always living with his mother to confuse matters even more.
Yep…there is one lady we don’t know if she had a son out of wedlock, was she really married or who the son’s father really is since SHE kept changing her name. Was she married or did she just go from man to man. Or just change her name as she moved from one place to another.
The son had 4 different last names during 4 different census takings. Why…who knows. They didn’t always correspond to his mother’s name either… And he wasn’t always living with his mother to confuse matters even more.
Yep…there is one lady we don’t know if she had a son out of wedlock, was she really married or who the son’s father really is since SHE kept changing her name. Was she married or did she just go from man to man. Or just change her name as she moved from one place to another.
The son had 4 different last names during 4 different census takings. Why…who knows. They didn’t always correspond to his mother’s name either… And he wasn’t always living with his mother to confuse matters even more.
Yep…there is one lady we don’t know if she had a son out of wedlock, was she really married or who the son’s father really is since SHE kept changing her name. Was she married or did she just go from man to man. Or just change her name as she moved from one place to another.
The son had 4 different last names during 4 different census takings. Why…who knows. They didn’t always correspond to his mother’s name either… And he wasn’t always living with his mother to confuse matters even more.
I would love to find out more about my family but I don’t know enough about how to go about it. All I know is what my mother has told me. She can go back quite a bit and believe me it isn’t boring by any means. We seem to have a bit of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in our family!! I find it all fascinating. I think I must do a course on how to go about it. I’d like to go back farther. Great post Nicola.
I would love to find out more about my family but I don’t know enough about how to go about it. All I know is what my mother has told me. She can go back quite a bit and believe me it isn’t boring by any means. We seem to have a bit of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in our family!! I find it all fascinating. I think I must do a course on how to go about it. I’d like to go back farther. Great post Nicola.
I would love to find out more about my family but I don’t know enough about how to go about it. All I know is what my mother has told me. She can go back quite a bit and believe me it isn’t boring by any means. We seem to have a bit of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in our family!! I find it all fascinating. I think I must do a course on how to go about it. I’d like to go back farther. Great post Nicola.
I would love to find out more about my family but I don’t know enough about how to go about it. All I know is what my mother has told me. She can go back quite a bit and believe me it isn’t boring by any means. We seem to have a bit of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in our family!! I find it all fascinating. I think I must do a course on how to go about it. I’d like to go back farther. Great post Nicola.
I would love to find out more about my family but I don’t know enough about how to go about it. All I know is what my mother has told me. She can go back quite a bit and believe me it isn’t boring by any means. We seem to have a bit of everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in our family!! I find it all fascinating. I think I must do a course on how to go about it. I’d like to go back farther. Great post Nicola.