Monday 13 August 2012
Monday 7 May 2012
Grave Yard hunting
It's difficult to explain to someone who does not share the same enthusiasm/obsession with family history, the thrill of hunting in a grave-yard.
In my experience, very few cemeteries are those pristine freshly mown, clear slate headstones that feature on television. Most are a mixture of bramble and long grass.
Searching through cemeteries is often a challenge. Sometimes I've no idea if I'll actually find a member of the family, and if there are family buried there will they have a headstone? If there is a headstone will it be covered in lichen and ivy, will it be upright?. Will the words be too worn to read.
There is nothing quite like pulling away some ivy, getting down on my hands and knees and sometimes running my fingers over the words, as if it were braille, trying to work out the inscription. (and incase you are wondering, I always say "sorry" as I kneel down on op of someone's final resting place).
Some headstones are in English, Some in Welsh and some a mixture of both languages.
Often in Welsh Churchyards the actual memorial inscription is in English.. with a verse from the Bible in Welsh at the bottom of the stone.
Headstones hold a wealth of information, often not only giving the name of the relative, but saying where they lived, what they did, who their parents or spouses were.
Some headstones tell a story - listing the deaths of several children. Recording the loss of a father and two of his sons in a ship wreck.
My great grandfather was lost at sea of Chile in the late 1800's, but I found a memorial stone to him in our local chapel cemetery, which in it's inscription includes the longitude and latidue of where his ship went down.
So next time you pass by a cemetery, take a peek inside.
In my experience, very few cemeteries are those pristine freshly mown, clear slate headstones that feature on television. Most are a mixture of bramble and long grass.
Searching through cemeteries is often a challenge. Sometimes I've no idea if I'll actually find a member of the family, and if there are family buried there will they have a headstone? If there is a headstone will it be covered in lichen and ivy, will it be upright?. Will the words be too worn to read.
There is nothing quite like pulling away some ivy, getting down on my hands and knees and sometimes running my fingers over the words, as if it were braille, trying to work out the inscription. (and incase you are wondering, I always say "sorry" as I kneel down on op of someone's final resting place).
Some headstones are in English, Some in Welsh and some a mixture of both languages.
Often in Welsh Churchyards the actual memorial inscription is in English.. with a verse from the Bible in Welsh at the bottom of the stone.
Headstones hold a wealth of information, often not only giving the name of the relative, but saying where they lived, what they did, who their parents or spouses were.
Some headstones tell a story - listing the deaths of several children. Recording the loss of a father and two of his sons in a ship wreck.
My great grandfather was lost at sea of Chile in the late 1800's, but I found a memorial stone to him in our local chapel cemetery, which in it's inscription includes the longitude and latidue of where his ship went down.
So next time you pass by a cemetery, take a peek inside.
Saturday 14 April 2012
For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by family connections. Growing up we were surrounded by first, second and third cousins, great aunts and cousins of grandparents and I was continually working out how we were all related.
Now I freely admit that I am addicted to my family tree research.
At first I began with my great grandparents and worked my way down to me, now I’ve gone far beyond. I look up census reports, find out where ancestors lived, what they did, which churches and chapels they attended. Where they were baptised, married and buried.
My family tree is mainly split into three countries.
My Grandparents – 3 born in North Pembrokeshire Wales and 1 born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Scottish ancestors.
My Great grandmother’s family all come from the same area of North East Scotland – see page Scottish roots
My Great grandfather was born in Norfolk – see Norfolk roots.
Welsh Ancestors - with three grandparents born within a 10 mile radius in North Pembrokeshire, I’ve traced my family tree back several generations, with some families still living in the property that our ancestors lived in 150 years ago, and so far I’ve got hardly any cross overs within those trees.
These pages and blogs will not contain any personal details of any living persons to protect their privacy.
Now I freely admit that I am addicted to my family tree research.
At first I began with my great grandparents and worked my way down to me, now I’ve gone far beyond. I look up census reports, find out where ancestors lived, what they did, which churches and chapels they attended. Where they were baptised, married and buried.
My family tree is mainly split into three countries.
My Grandparents – 3 born in North Pembrokeshire Wales and 1 born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Scottish ancestors.
My Great grandmother’s family all come from the same area of North East Scotland – see page Scottish roots
My Great grandfather was born in Norfolk – see Norfolk roots.
Welsh Ancestors - with three grandparents born within a 10 mile radius in North Pembrokeshire, I’ve traced my family tree back several generations, with some families still living in the property that our ancestors lived in 150 years ago, and so far I’ve got hardly any cross overs within those trees.
These pages and blogs will not contain any personal details of any living persons to protect their privacy.
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