Eileen C
65 year old female, British with English, Scottish and Irish ancestors.
Fascinated by history : the where, when and how of what makes us who we are.
Hobbies: apart from genealogy - music,cross stitching
Location Derby, England via Lanarkshire, Scotland
Activity
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@ReneeF fascinating. Another added to my list.
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@DebbieL going to investigate RM a little more.
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@FerelythBruce-Lockhart very true but go armed with info, as you say.
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@JayneBuchanan One major advantage I found was all documents digitised so you have the evidence before you. One disadvantage is perhaps too many selections so credit used narrowing out to find your ancestor.
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@MarkO' Not specifically. His children all born in Carndonagh, Co Donegal but other areas mentioned too. Could have gone from Scotland/England to Ireland and Alexander's in Aberdeen but no way of connecting those dots. Lost for the time being.
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@MargaretRiordan tried all of the above but without much luck.
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I guess it is whatever works for each individual.
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I am aware that Irish records have been discussed in length as being unlikely to find, but what would others do in this situation?
Hire a local genealogist; go in person. These records may span Ireland and the rest of the UK if my ancestors travelled as migrant farm workers for part of the year.I have one name I can find nowhere.
Alexander Harvey,...
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Eileen C made a comment
Thanks to #FutureLearn and the whole team at Strathclyde Uni for such a great course.
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Eileen C made a comment
Excellent course. Clear; engaging and super informative.
Now begins the task of putting these new skills into action.
I appreciate all the links and resources that I will be able to use for my own research.
From being a very much amateur researcher, I hope to go on to be much more professional in my outlook using all the pages suggested to keep family...
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Eileen C made a comment
I have so enjoyed these six weeks. I've learned many new searching skills; how to begin collating all that information and so much new information to digest. It will take another 6 weeks to search out all these new websites and books; blogs etc that may be useful to me personally.
I would like to say a thank you to fellow students for all their tips and...
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Eileen C made a comment
Gosh, I am sure many of us will have realised that destop research would never be enough - to satisfy our curiosity or discover information not available online.
I've made many field trips - especially for my husband's family research. My own is much easier (apart from Ireland).
My husband's 3x gt grandmother (b 1816) was a Josselyn in Essex. I did a Google... -
Eileen C made a comment
Chris and her story has reignited my passion for research which had dulled this last few years - after several family deaths. Sadly, those deaths made me stop looking backwards but now time has moved on, I need to begin again in earnest.
I used 2020 lockdown to just tidy up trees; accept new and verified hints but not to search myself.
The Irish side needs... -
Eileen C made a comment
Once I get more information - if ever - on why my Irish line moved to Scotland perhaps there will be a story.
After that - not hing so important that it cannot be written on one page of A4. -
Eileen C made a comment
I very much doubt I will ever reach this stage with my family,. Details have been noted down just in case.
Blogs will be most interesting to follow from this point on. -
Eileen C made a comment
never lost any data, so thankful.
Heart goes out to those of you who have had to deal with this.
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Several more interesting sites to follow up on, the blogs will be a great addition,.
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Eileen C made a comment
Ancestry; ScotlandsPeople and FMP are my main online sources to build trees and find information.
I only use FMP around Census times, but use it to garner as much info as I can.
I bought some family tree maker software - not FTM as it was always sold out. I believe it not longer links to Ancestry after it was sold so not sure of its value to me.
I am happy... -
ScotlandsPeople is such a great site. I use it a great deal for my Scottish side.
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Eileen C made a comment
Hoping this never happens is head in the sand stuff, but everything I have is still in paper form, photocopied or original or scribbled in a shorthand pad.
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Eileen C made a comment
This seems very professional, like writing a paper for submission, but it is great advice.
I have never thought about adding citations to my paper files, only where Ancestry keeps them for me.
This is another task to add to the to-do list. -
Eileen C made a comment
I can see my reliance on Ancestry and paper back up is the tip of the iceberg in record keeping. I just find Ancestry so useful to pop in to and check regularly.
Having said that sometimes I do not sign on for weeks.
That changes now. -
Really interesting. This idea appeals. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you.
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Ive said before, these books are just the most awesome find ever. So grateful to know about them.
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Eileen C made a comment
All really interesting information for future consumption and decision making on what I should move forward with.
Thanks to all on the Team for this own suggestions. -
Pen, paper and written records may always be needed, I am glad I still believe in keeping written or typed up info printed out. Online is great but I am old enough to know I need a good, old fashioned backup.
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I will be looking into this. Thanks
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Eileen C made a comment
Nice to see the template the Uni uses, but I have an aversion to spreadsheets from when I first worked with them!!
I must overcome that. -
mine too
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These are a revalation. I am going to fill them in for my nieces to have for their maternal line as well as paternal line. They are old enough to be interested now in this obsessive, compelling hobby their old Aunt has.
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Eileen C made a comment
Final week. I will miss coming to sit at my laptop and discover new tips and ideas next week - but then I will have more time to evaluate and reevaluate my own family trees.
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Eileen C replied to Geraldine Bühring
Wow!
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Eileen C made a comment
Thank you to all involved in putting this week together. My heart is full of emotion; my mind is full of questions.
Such a thought provoking week, especially with Chris's story of how a person can be thought of as not British. Im guessing even some WASP's might not fit into that category.
So many websites and hints scribbled on paper this week.
Honestly, I... -
Eileen C made a comment
My next task is to try and find school sporting records for my late uncle.
He was a swimmer for the county and, very good.
With work in mind after he left school - who knows why that decision - but he joined the Royal Navy as soon as he was old enough.
On 14 October 1939 he was on board HMS Royal Oak at Scapa Flow, Orkney when it was torpedoed by a German... -
Eileen C replied to Daithi Kerr
How fascinating. I must ask you for some links to go and find out if my Co, Donegal family were affected.
The brutality inflicted was on all sides.
On a trip to Dublin a few years ago, my Kent born friend and myself were treated badly in certain areas like newsagents etc.
I sound English and had to keep telling people I was an Irish Scot. My London... -
Wow, I've just posted something about Ireland. My male line came to Scotland c. 1900 and joined the Highland Light Infantry. I believe the whole family moved because these two teenage boys were being asked to take part in actions from the Roman Catholic side of this conflict. Their parents wished no part of this, so Scotland with it's large catholic population...
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Immediately, my mind turns to asking others for help. Those who have trod the path have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips.
Facebook groups in particular have sprung up for across the globe.
I also like the chat groups but never find time to ask these days.I have included several friends in my trips to see/find out about ancestors.
In particular... -
I had no idea this scheme ran for so long. I was aware of it in post WW2 Britain as many people left in the 50/60s.
Interestingly I know of many British who went to Canada and found in WW1 because there was a Soldier Homestead Land Grant from 1918. I know of this in British Columbia but assume it was nationwide. -
Eileen C made a comment
How to construct using keywords is very interesting.
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Eileen C made a comment
Week 5 contd/
Adding to task 2, the Captain's goldfinch, which his crewmen called Captain's Mate, was called Harry. Harry sang often and sang prior to land being discovered.
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@JeanetteClarke Likewise, George Hunt provided nothing on its own.
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Eileen C made a comment
Week 5 contd/
Obviously lower class highlanders were a step too far for this couple.3/
Good Bishop Walter de Suffield 1245-1257 founded St Giles in Chester
Natural assets : the Roodee is the race course, still operating today.
Wikipedia provided this information :
Chester Racecourse, known as the Roodee, is officially recognised by the Guinness... -
Eileen C made a comment
I genuinely enjoyed our tasks this week. I may go back and read from the Library of Entertaining Knowledge at a later date. The letters are wonderful.
1/ George Hunt, aged 32 was a dairy farmer. Sadly, he died after falling on a pitchfork which pierced his lung.
2/ missing words - Entertaining Knowledge. This book was published in London by Charles... -
True. I've travelled a lot across England, even been to Dublin.
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@RuthJenkins Thanks Ruth. Wouldn't open on my laptop so going to try a different way later.
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Eileen C made a comment
Several websites bookmarked for further research to continue. Towns and cities change so much - and even name changes too. I am sure this is a very useful tool for many researchers.
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My ultimate aim is to pass on to my four nieces a legacy of their ancestors.
Having purchased family records books from Aberdeen they will each get MY /their father's family history and then a book which covers both their parents,. I plan to add documents; photos and other information they may be unaware of as they are all 1960's children and so much...
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Eileen C made a comment
Mitchell Library definitely on my list when I get to Glasgow.
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Friend of my husband teaches at Uni in South East. Enclosures Act is her special field (pardon the bad pun). Written about it too. Heather Falvey but I don't have details of books to hand.
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How awesome a find.
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Connected Histories is a new one for me to start looking into.
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Eileen C replied to Margaret Riordan
@DebbieG May I ask where you find most of your German records? Guessing you read the language, because I truly struggle finding things out from Germany or Poland.
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Eileen C replied to Diane Hunley
May I ask what was a British Home Child? A refugee??
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Eileen C replied to Stephanie Brown
@StephanieBrown Sorry for your losses. I hope you find comfort in finding out more about their families lives.
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all I can say is wow! wish a treasure trove like that would drop through my letter box.
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Eileen C made a comment
Hello team members. Penultimate week. Going to be interesting.
Did anyone else find the intro video was not available to watch?
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Mary. My paternal gt gran was Catherine Doran. Molville Ireland
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Good luck
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Eileen C made a comment
Loving each and every minute. When I discover a new piece of intelligence to use; a new website or pick up a hint from a fellow student I am nose deep in finding out more.
I did find the DNA section more complex than I initially thought but with time and reading am sure I will understand better.I know enough on this subject to take me to where I need to...
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Eileen C made a comment
Yes to graveyards. Yes to DNA from Ancestry and I also used Oxford Ancestors many, many moons ago.
I believe we should follow every lead we find, as we never know the end result.
Standing in the church where my husband's gt. grandmother was christened was a very peaceful moment. He met her as a child but with few memories.
Moving on to where she married in... -
Eileen C made a comment
Re gravestones. No church I visited had a headstone or marker for any of my husband's family.
For my own line I placed a headstone after my Mother died. The undertakers knew I did not wish some formal, cold memorial. They suggested I start with my Mother and name everyone as they related to her.
So Mum; her husband; their son under one year old; their... -
Eileen C made a comment
I had no idea about the Y chromosome being like a string linking all the male generations. I have no male relatives left, my husband an only cnild but I may suggest he does the test undertaken by Chris's brother. We believe there maybe cousins from his father's line but yet to discover them. His father was a refugee during WW2.
Having discovered a family of... -
Gosh, this one tasked my brain. I'v been reading and absorbing what info I can before making any comments.
Margaret Williamson. Not feeling confident about these answers at present and need to do more but:
1. Given every generation will inherit less DNA I am not confident an atDNA would furnish many results.
2. From what I am taking on board, would a...
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I've never tried this, but wondering if this is worth it. Presently I am open to all the avenues I can find.
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Eileen C made a comment
If I was planning a career in genetics, this would be wonderful to undertake.
Very comprehensive, but complex.
For the future genetic scientists are going to be able to undertake so much that makes all of our lives better. -
Eileen C made a comment
Superb information, but a lot to digest in one sitting.
I can see the reasons for going into such depth with testing but - for myself - I do not think I need to explore that deeply.
I am, however, planning to upload my husband's, and my own, to GEDmatch.
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Eileen C made a comment
Interesting as this article was, and very well presented, it is only useful if many males have the test.
I am not sure the world has reached that point yet.
Random thoughts - Off-topic: I went for a pneumonia vaccination yesterday. Shocked when the nurse informed me how many people are reluctant or refusing to take Covid-19 vaccination in the population.... -
I wish I had asked my Mother, my husband's father before they passed on. So much lost. I did get my brother to do the male side of DNA testing when I did the mtDNA test but the results came back very similar so wondering now.
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Eileen C made a comment
This section needs to be downloaded and looked at repeatedly. Having had a DNA test many years ago I now realise this was purely mtDNA. Knowing that my more recent test of different puts a whole new perspective on this., I am fascinated by the science.
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Likewise. My husband an only child and we know all first cousins but Ancestry DNA test has many, many 3, 4 and more cousins all in the area of his maternal grandfather's family roots.
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Eileen C made a comment
Mr and Mrs Nicol seem to have someone boarding with them - or is this a married daughter? I cannot find details for her as yet,
None of the ration cards were signed, that was an interesting fact.
I struggled with the house number but Robert Nicol was clearer and I decided on 704.
The stamped reference numbers are all unique.Gained basic information on...
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@DaphneGrinberg Born in 1955 sweets came off ration the year I was born. I was told that often as I grew up.
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@AngelaGallagher Scotland/England. Island of Ireland still part of Britain at that time, so larger island called Mainland. Even now Orkeny and Scottish Islands call the rest the mainland.
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I hark back to my maternal grandmother again. I was researching my 'adoptive family' when I happened across a photo of a female in the family, with her husband. This lady could have been my Gran in Victorian clothes. Everyone I showed images to - of both women - said the likeness was uncanny. Not proof but visual evidence that I could be on the right track.
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Eileen C made a comment
As yet I have not encountered anything like this as my Irish roots all came to the mainland when the UK still included the whole island of Ireland.Situations such as this must be head scratchers indeed.
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Eileen C made a comment
I followed the rabbit hole when I travelled to Bolton, Lancashire and believed I had found a Martha Tonge, who gave birth to a Thomas Tonge in the workhouse. I believed this Thomas to be my husband's ancestors and it took a great deal of time and collaboration with others to be sure enough I had the wrong Mother. Lesson learned.
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Eileen C made a comment
I originally used Oxford Ancestors many years ago, after reading Prof. Sykes book (I happen to know someone who was involved in the work) and was disappointed at The Seven Daughters of Eve approach and the little use the findings turned out to be. I knew I had Celtic roots but apparently I belong to Clan Tara.
Interesting book to read.Ancestry DNA proved...
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Eileen C replied to Janet Hackel
I've got a Mariner in Harwich 1840s. Hard to locate them.
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How lovely. Photos arethe things I would love to have.
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Eileen C replied to Bill Higgins
Ditto
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Very interesting. I was always under the belief it was swest/grease etc that they did not want to contaminate the original. This course is a real learning curve, so many knowledgeable participants.
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@AlisonMcQueen now that would be an outstanding outcome from this course!
I see you did a course of Richard III? My husband and I members of the Society and he transcripts medieval wills for the Society. -
I'm slow so takes me much longer than a few hours. This week I got so into it I spent two days and keep checking for comments.
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@VincentOBrien this looks great. I'm off to check it out.
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@KeithCadwell wow! Do you know all of this?
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@KevinCamp There are always more questions than answers.
As a recent example the UK was divided by the referendum to leave the European Union - nicknamed BREXIT. Families argued; fell out and still won't speak to each other. Scotland voted to remain and still hopes to leave the UK and join EU as an Independent country.
There may be trouble ahead. -
It shocked me too. These items are priceless.
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National Archives have huge amounts but, as you say, not everything.
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@FionaLinn how awesome.
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@AlisonMcQueen amazing how often families mirror each other. When looking at Coatbridge maps I found English Square. Looking into it more all I found find was the possibility of coal and tin miners coming up to oversee the mining process. All put in housing near each other? How I would live a time machine.
My husband female line was on Mile End Road and... -
@JackieOwen Those trips are on my to-do list.
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@RogerBlake I found CWG excellent.
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@AlisonMcQueen how interesting. Lots of Scots moved to the parts of England that still had working coal mines. I am in Derbyshire and a town called Swadlincote has a large Scottish diaspora.
Not sure about the situation in Glasgow. Coatbridge about 8miles outside. Where have you found your family in the town?
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Just awesome work.
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@DavidMcFarlane thank you. You a truly very knowledgeable and am grateful.
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Eileen C made a comment
Once again, thanks to the team and my study group colleagues, for a week full of interesting tips and new websites to visit.#
Really enjoyed the military element because that was my 'light bulb moment'.Having filled in the 2021 UK Census and the myriad questions asked of us now, what will our descendants make of this information.
Religion is joined by... -
Eileen C made a comment
I found my husbands gt.grandmother on 1881 Census living in Bradford. a 16 year old, lodging with Squire and Mrs Elverson.
Frances Henrietta Layfield was listed as a professional singer and another lodger - 22 year old Amelia Barnaby was listed as singer/musician. I believe they may have been a duo.Knowing this, I again find Fanny on the 1901 Census...
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Wow, did not know this either. If nothing else my knowledge is expanding daily by doing this course.
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I like the pay per view set up on Scotland's People and if I am feeling rich, I pop money on and search until it runs out. It is still less expensive that a certificate to find an individual if you put a limit on yourself.