Sunday 26 September 2010

Family Tree News 26 September 2010

Recently I visited the archives to check the apprentice records for a Watch Making family and a family of Saddle Collar & Harness Makers. Checking these records showed that the first Watch Jeweller was apprenticed by his father, a Carpenter and the Saddler, by his widowed mother. This enabled me to trace this family back to their original home in Stretton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire.

I have also been tracing an interesting family of Canal Boatmen from the Cheshire and Derbyshire areas the census returns gave some fascinating information including in one instance the name of the boat. Other trees are progressing nicely.

In local news, it is good to hear that the council have decided to sound the air raid siren at Coventry Cathedral to mark the 70th anniversary of the Coventry Blitz this November. Also, Coventry Market plan to hold a special event to remember the spirit of the Blitz, with an opportunity for Coventrians to record their Blitz memories.

More info about the Coventry Blitz

Sunday 12 September 2010

Family Tree News 12 September 2010

Earlier this week BBC local radio interviewed me at London Road Cemetery again. This time I was able to attend in person, where we discussed the neglected state of the Blitz memorial. We hope that something will be done to clean up the green stonework back to white and replace the missing tree. It would be nice if the surrounding bushes were pruned back so that visitors can sit on the bench again!


Coventry and the surrounding area held their annual Heritage Open Days this weekend. It was great to see the local historic buildings opened up to the public for a friendly, educational day out for adults and children. Draper’s Hall was looking in need of maintenance, with peeling paint on its wonderful ceilings. The Coventry Watch Museum was opened up, with some interesting displays about the local watchmaking industry of yesteryear. The Coventry family History Society stand was very popular, with lots of useful resources for sale. I picked up a couple of good data CDs for my collection! We saw the wool dying demo at the old Weaver’s House, Black Swan Terrace and admired their Tudor garden.

Far too many things were going on to list here – suffice to say that if you missed it this year then keep an eye out this time next year.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Family Tree News 5 September 2010

Some additional blitz details have been added to the site this week, this time for the Currie and Reeves families, including a photograph kindly supplied by Jean Hodes.

I would also like to thank Anita for the lovely flowers she sent me as a ‘thank you’ for a family tree research project I did for her. The flowers have been brightening up my home since they arrived, and are much appreciated. I hope your mother enjoyed the family tree presentation pack on her birthday - Jane.