Friday 29 August 2014

Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 53


Today is week 53 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30 am UK time I will release the prompt for that week's Book of Me, Written by You.

If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE.

This week's prompt is - Your Home Town

We all have one, perhaps it is where we were born, perhaps it where we lived for that special time in our lives, or perhaps it is where we now live.

Wherever it is, why not tell us about it.

Explain where it is, don't forget we are across the world!
What is it that makes your "place" special?
Do you feel a nice comfy emotional connection?

Wednesday 27 August 2014

Outlander - Books, Tartans, History and Scotland


Several years ago I was introduced to the books set Scotland, called the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. The series has progressed and is now on book eight; and each of the books is a whopper! 

The initial book in the series (Cross Stitch in the UK) is set just after the second world war.  The following is an excerpt from the author's website
"In 1946, after WWII, a young Englishwoman named Claire Beauchamp Randall goes to the Scottish Highlands with her husband, Frank. She’s an ex-combat nurse, he’s been in the army as well, they’ve been separated for the last six years, and this is a second honeymoon; they’re getting re-acquainted with each other, thinking of starting a family. But one day Claire goes out walking by herself, and comes across a circle of standing stones—such circles are in fact common all over northern Britain. She walks through a cleft stone in the circle….and disappears.........."
As I started to read this book I wondered if my Grandparents had experienced something similar. They married in November 1939 and in 1940 my Grandfather joined the army. He was discharged from service in 1946 and remained on the reserves list until 1954. My Mum was not born until 1947, so it is probably fair to say that by the time Mum was born, her parents had actually lived together for about a few years.  How had they adjusted to each other? That is as far as the similarities ended, as my Grandparents never went to Scotland, and as to disappearing in standing stones, I can hear the voice of my Grandmother now saying "what poppycock!"

Now there is to be a television series which sadly, does not appear to be airing here in the UK soon, unless you know different! - If you do please leave a comment.

Yesterday I was working on an article for The In-Depth Genealogists when I spotted that the tartan's used for the series had been registered with the Tartan Register in Scotland. You can see the five tartans associated with the series HERE and to see the article on Tartans you need to subscribe to The In-Depth Genealogy blog or check using this link

Saturday 23 August 2014

My Lost Son - BBC Documentary (Lockerbie Pan Am 103)

Lockerbie Air Disaster Memorial
Taken April 2006  - Julie Goucher
I recall back in December 1988 hearing the tragic news of the air disaster in Scotland; the bombing of Pan Am 103 heading to the United States. 

It was therefore quite a coincidence that I should, a mere six years later go on to marry someone whose birthday fell the same date as that air disaster and that my husband should have grown up in a small hamlet just outside of Lockerbie, where part of the aircraft came down. 

Over the years I have visited the memorial in the churchyard at Tundergarth and the main and tasteful memorial at Lockerbie Cemetery. I have stood and read all those names including those of the locals who were victims of the disaster; and that of the friend my husband lost on that sad and tragic day.

I was therefore surprised when, whilst searching the various television channels for news rather that sport news this evening to catch the end of a program indirectly about the air disaster. I quickly added to the program to record, but had missed about half of it. I quickly turned to trusty YouTube to see if the program was there. It was and the program is available for all to see and I then spent the next thirty minutes watching it.



As you will see, this is a story not just of the tragedy itself, but also of loss at a personal level, grief and the need to make that special journey even if the road of that journey is a tough one.

For some reason, the program resonated with me. I fully understand the need for this tough and emotional journey and admire the courage and determination of the lady concerned.

Below you will the photographs I have taken of the memorial stones.
Introduction and the link to the various photographs - all taken April 2006.

Friday 22 August 2014

Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 52


Today is week 52 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30 am UK time I will release the prompt for that week's Book of Me, Written by You.

If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE.

This week's prompt is - Inherited Items

There is something very special about inheriting an item from a family member. It doesn't have to be the riches, in terms of monetary value, or in the finest condition. Sometimes, just knowing that an item has stood the test of time in whatever shape it is now, is enough.

That link between the past, present and future as you in turn pass it along.

This week share those thoughts, memories and pictures. Lets having a trip down memory lane as with the passing along of each item there is always memories attached.

Saturday 16 August 2014

Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 51


Today is week 51 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30 am UK time I will release the prompt for that week's Book of Me, Written by You.

If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE.

This week's prompt is - Your First Home

This can be either or a combination of any of the following
  • Your parent's home - the first home you can probably remember
  • A home away from home - perhaps collage
  • Your first big purchase
  • The first home with the love of your life and perhaps your descendants
  • Perhaps talk of the excitement, stress and emotional attachments to locations
  • Was your home in your family for lots of years, was it an old house or a new build?
  • Can you visualise the rooms, or have photos?

Thursday 14 August 2014

Excel for Genealogists

A little earlier this week +Cousin Russ asked a question in the Cousin Russ Community about research logs. I responded that I kept a log in a journal and now keep in as a spreadsheet and store it in Google Drive. (I use Excel, but if you store as a Google Sheet it uses less space in your Google Drive!)

Having made my comment, I was then asked to spend a little time with +DearMYRTLE in a hangout on Tuesday afternoon.

Here is the hangout



At the end of the discussion there is the link to my website where you can download a copy of the spreadsheets.

I should point out that whilst I have allowed editing facility and downloading please respect my copyright. You are welcome to share, forward and develop but please leave my name as the source and creator.

Tuesday 12 August 2014

Alex Haley – Genealogy Hero or Heel?

image courtesy of
http://www.alexhaleymuseum.org/biography/
Yesterday, Thomas who writes Geneabloggers wrote a post with the title Genealogy Hero or Heel? in recognition that the author of Roots would have celebrated a birthday, had they been alive.

In 1977 I watched with my family the serialisation of Roots based upon the life of Alex Haley's ancestors. I recall, even my Grandmother who very much had the opinion that history was simply life yesterday, was enthralled with the programme. I can recall being allowed to stay up and watch the program. For some strange reason I recall it being on the TV at 8pm (probably BBC) on a Thursday. Why I recall that I have no idea, but I do, whether that is accurate or not, is another matter.

Of course, since then there have been various statements that the story was not true, that it was plagiarised. There was a court case and a financial settlement made.

Regardless of that, Roots was inspirational to lots of people, whether you were black or white. It was the story of a family, which is something that everyone can relate to. More importantly, it dealt with the issues of slavery. That subject that is emotive to many people on different levels. It gave people hope, that even if you you descended through slavery you could, if you wanted to or tried to trace your Roots.

So, Hero or Heel? I think perhaps a little of both.

Heel because you never, ever take someone work as your own. If you do, your secrets will surely out!

Hero, because from that book it gave an opportunity for some people, who had dreamt of their ancestry to be reassured sufficiently that perhaps, just perhaps, they could research their past.

......and perhaps that was the point.

Other sites of interest

Saturday 9 August 2014

Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 50


Today is week 50 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30 am UK time I will release the prompt for that week's Book of Me, Written by You.

If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE.

This week's prompt is - Godparents

  • Did / Do your Godparents feature a great deal in your life
  • Do you know your Godparents?
  • How do they link in to your family?
  • Other stories or influences from your Godparents
  • Are you Godparents to anyone?

Friday 8 August 2014

Video: Thousands of Years of Human Migration in Five Minutes

One of the things I love the most about the internet is the facility to share fascinating material, which opens our eyes to some interesting concepts, and some basic ones at that.

Yesterday on the Guild of One-Name Studies mailing list, a member shared this video.



This video, in a gentle and yet quick fashion shares with us the migration of people, from across the globe. spreading surnames and simplifying some of the core aims of a One-Place Study - understanding why people from "our places" migrate or arrive at our chosen place of study.

The scientific study paper was identified by another member of the Guild and that can be read here.

I was enjoyed watching the video, noticing the cultural magnets in various cities and why some places became fashionable after exploration in another. Whilst, as researchers we already knew some of these things the video puts the data together in such a visual manner it enables us to have some context and gives us further scope for increased understanding into our research, whether our own, or our specific name and places studies, or perhaps all three.

Other sources
Discover Magazine
FreeBase

Thanks to Guild members, Jim and Debbie who shared the various data.

Monday 4 August 2014

In Remembrance of William James West

William James West 1898 - 1918
Image from the family collection of Julie Goucher
As we commemorate the beginning of the Great War. Today I am remembering my Grandfather's first Cousin, William James West (1898 - 1918).

The Lives of the First World War is using the twitter tags of #LivesofWW1 and #remember

I have written about William before, and you can read those earlier posts at the various links below.


William's life was tragically cut short just two months before the war ended. He paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Rest in Peace William, knowing that we honour your sacrifice.

Saturday 2 August 2014

Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 49


Today is week 49 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30 am UK time I will release the prompt for that week's Book of Me, Written by You.

If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE.

This week's prompt is - What do I sound like?


  • Describe your voice
  • Perhaps include an electronic recording of your voice reciting a poem or reading a piece of writing. Maybe even this prompt response
  • Do you have recordings of other family members?

Linkwithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...