Every Family has a story to tell……….Welcome to mine
Harry Joseph Keyes was born in 1891, in Grays, Essex, the seventh of the eight children born to Joseph Keyes and Elizabeth Keyes (nee Bishop). When Harry Joseph Keyes was born, his father, Joseph, was 39 and his mother, Elizabeth, was 38. He had three brothers and four sisters. Young Harry sadly lost his life, … Continue reading 3rd Battle of Ypres – Passchendaele
Recently I was fortunate enough to meet up with some long lost family members and reconnect with my Daniels ancestors from Dublin. This part of my family has been my “Brick wall” for a long, long time. Thanks to the kind help of my friends on, #Ancestry Hour on Twitter, with a special … Continue reading My Family Reunion thanks to #Ancestryhour
So the big day is here, my Ancestry DNA kit has arrived!! To be fair, the kit arrived only a few days after ordering it from Ancestry and considering the amount of orders that Ancestry fulfilled in their pre-Christmas order, I was impressed with the speed of delivery. First things first and very important, you … Continue reading The DNA Test Itself (3)
Over the next few weeks and months I hope to post a regular blog on my personal DNA experience, from a complete novice perspective. From the choosing of what type of DNA test to take, to the test itself, then following on with the results, how to interpret them and literally what to do with … Continue reading DNA Testing – The Revolution (1)
Have you set yourself targets or goals for your family history research for 2018? If not, now is the ideal time to review your work, review what you have already achieved and set yourself some new targets and goals for the next twelve months. I always like the idea of goals or targets, it keeps … Continue reading What’s your Genealogy goals for 2018?
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; What does Christmas mean to you and your family? Happy times? Sad times? Fond memories? Or like me, a mixture of … Continue reading “Twas the Night Before Christmas”
Is pouring over the family album going to be a thing of the past for future generations? There is nothing I like more than looking back at old family photos, whether they are my own and my immediate family, or pictures from my ancestors from generations ago. Even my own children still love looking at … Continue reading Is the Photograph finally dead?
This is probably the most difficult topic that I have written a blog about, because of the naturally sensitive nature of the subject matter and how it can, and will impact on people’s lives. So when is a Father actually a father? As genealogists we strive to prove family connections and bonds and to trace … Continue reading When is a Father a Father?
I thought it would be timely to reflect on the benefits of the archive offices and record offices, up and down the country and the wonderful services that they provide. My title for this blog is very apt, "use it or lose it". With pressure on local government and local authorities to cut budgets and … Continue reading “Use it or Lose it”
After the end of WW1 and the Paris was treaty was signed, the league of nations was formed with the basic function of maintaining world peace. Almost 20 years later and Europe was brought to its knees once more with the atrocities of War. This blog isn't an attempt to apportion blame or go over … Continue reading Was WW2 Inevitable?
The Chiddicks Family Tree 