Sunday 31 January 2010

Family Tree News - 31 January 2010

This week I have been busy researching several family trees. Highlights for me include a family with a strong Naval background going back to the mid 19th century, various railway and colliery workers, and a Lord Mayor.


Thanks to Mr I Elliott, who got in touch this week with further information regarding one of his family members who died in the Coventry Blitz. I have updated the listing on the Coventry Blitz Resource Centre with the new information kindly supplied.

In my spare time I have finished transcribing the definitions and notes for just over 240 old job titles. These ones begin with the letter S, ranging from Sacristans to Sword Slippers. I have published these to my Dictionary of Old Occupations; they amount to ten new web pages! Last weekend I was so engrossed with this project that I ran out of time to publish a family tree news update. Hope you find the dictionary useful when you are researching your family tree.

All the best,
Jane Hewitt

Sunday 17 January 2010

Family Tree News - 17 January 2010

Among the family history I have been researching this week, I have been tracing the ancestors of a couple who were both officers in the Salvation Army in the early 20th century. So far I have traced one side back to 1806, and the other 1847. There is scope to investigate further back, into the 1700’s.


I have also been looking into families with very interesting first names recently, such as Aquilla (which according to a bible dictionary means ‘eagle’), and Maze, Maise, Mayze, Mays, or Maize etc. Lots of spelling variations to search for on this one! I am wondering if the name comes from a maternal surname of Mays.

 - Jane

Sunday 10 January 2010

Family Tree News - 10 January 2010

Just a short note this week - I have begun work on the next update to the Dictionary of Old Occupations. Should have another 100 or so extra definitions to add to the dictionary soon.

The bad weather has not affected ongoing family tree research, I am soldiering on as normal, even though trips to the archives have been fun due to the snow and ice!

Sunday 3 January 2010

Family Tree News - 3 January 2010

2010 is upon us already! After a welcome holiday, family tree research carries on apace into the New Year.

This week I have added additional information to the Coventry Blitz Resource Center for the following family surnames: Roper, Feltham, Fear, Fielding, Florence, Franks, and Fraser.

Special thanks this week to Carol Weale for sending me a photo and details of her uncle, Bill Roper, who was killed in the Coventry Blitz whilst working the late shift at the Armstong Siddeley factory in Parkside. These have now been published to the website as promised.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2010.
Jane Hewitt