When I enter the Pearly Gates I'm going to holler, "John! John! Where are you!?" He's caused me a lot of grief. I've been searching for his birth/ baptism c. 1777 in Somerset for years. Every year in January I have another stab at it.
Mine's been done by others and there are a few surprises. My great great grandfather was a bare knuckle fighter who must have been pretty bloody good as he was quite notorious and lived to be over 90. No mean feat in them days!
One or two born on the wrong side of the blanket. One aunt who lived as married but never was. Family who went out to the gold rush. One transported to Australia for knocking up the local squire's daughter! Two children who died in infancy that were never known or spoken of to their siblings. A Spanish connection and a tenuous connection to the Kernow family.
I'd love to research my family history because I only know of three relatives who did anything special and that's because one was researched by a relative some years ago and the other two are because I have the written evidence/documentation.
I can't remember how many 'great great' bits go in front, but they're all male grandparents/relatives. One was the last but one survivor of the Charge of the Light Brigade and apparently he was nursed by Florence Nightingale. His book was one of those used in the research for the film and his portrait is apparently in the National Gallery.
Another was awarded the Coeur de Guerre for some battle or other. I have the documents but they're all in French so I don't know the fine details.
Another much earlier forefather was William Penn who went over with the Pilgrim Fathers and who founded Pennsylvania. All these men were on my mother's side. I know nothing about my father's family beyond my grandparents.
Now I have more free time, I may well start rootling about to see what else I can discover. I've no doubt that there will be a few devils and reprobates in the mix though.
It's surprising what you can turn up. None of mine made their mark though my maternal grandfather claimed one of our lot was involved with The Gunpowder Plot. I'm yet to find him. Perhaps he held the horses. Grandpa also claimed his grandmother was related to Robert Baden-Powell (dib-dib, dob-dob).
One thing that quickly becomes apparent is that family memories are not as sound as you are led to believe. Also (OK that's two things), people fib to protect the dead which is bluddy frustrating.
Post by Berry McPaper-cuts on Jan 6, 2017 21:15:26 GMT
So interesting . I have some good artefacts- Boer War Rifle ( made safe) and sign on books etc for Grandfather who was an RSM in the Welsh Fusiliers. His uniform was on display at the regimental museum at some stage. I have passed on his warrant certificate to FP Major. On the other side I have two postcards from two brothers of my grandmother who were both killed on the Western front during WW1.
I was told that my Uncle (maternal side) committed suicide - I found a newspaper article about his death - he tried to stab a young woman with whom he had a relationship which she terminated before stabbing himself through the heart . He was only 20 ... The young woman concerned never married.
I do not think my Mother knew the full details as she was only about 12 when this happened ...