Frances Hunter was the mother of my great-great-grandmother Catherine Kerss. I haven't yet been able to identify Frances' place of birth or the identity of her parents.
Objective: find the birth/baptism record of Frances Hunter and identify her parents.
Known facts:
1 Frances Cass died in November 1824 and was buried in Monkwearmouth Churchyard. Her age at death was stated to be 39, giving a probably year of birth of 1785.
2 Frances married Robert Kerss on 12 June 1815 in Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland. The record of the wedding is silent as to her marital status (no details of marital status were given in marriage records at this time in this parish). One of the witnesses is James Hunter, but no information is given about him. A birth year of 1785 would make her 30 when she married.
3 Frances and Robert had 3 daughters - Catherine, Elizabeth and Mary born 1817 to 1822. At this time, most children were named after relatives. Catherine was named after Robert's mother; it's reasonable to think that Frances' mother was either Elizabeth or Mary.
The baptisms of the three daughters don't give any further information about Frances. Nor did she live long enough to be included on a census, which would have given a clue about her place of birth.
Working hypothesis:
1. Frances was a spinster when she married Robert Kerss. She was born in Co Durham or Northumberland around the year 1785 and moved to Sunderland prior to her marriage with Robert. Either her father or a brother was called James and witnessed her marriage.
Identified sources:
1 IGI / Family Search UK baptisms
2 Findmypast baptisms
3 Parish registers / Bishops Transcripts
Research strategy:
1 Search IGI/Family Search / Findmypast for any baptisms of Frances Hunter in the right timeframe.
2 For any baptisms found, look for others of the same family
3 Verify index entries to parish records or Durham Bishop Transcripts
4 Follow any Frances Hunters found to see if they died or married locally.
5 Consider which parishes in Co Durham / Northumberland were not covered by the IGI etc.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
On this day ... 13 February
1863 Stephen Hugh Pugh was born in Uxbridge Township, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of Stephen Pugh and Elizabeth Lore.
1923 Henry Clark died at the age of 75 in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, England. He was the second husband of my great-grandmother Martha Ann Pattison.
1923 Henry Clark died at the age of 75 in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, England. He was the second husband of my great-grandmother Martha Ann Pattison.
Saturday, 12 February 2011
On this day ... 12 February
1823 Mary Hudson (nee Heightley) died in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard in Sunderland.
1830 Thomas Whitehouse was born in Meriden St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Whitehouse.
1907 Rupert Montague Adams was born in Aston Manor, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Arthur Rupert Adams and his wife Adah Hunt.
1935 Stephen Hugh Pugh died in Canada the day before his 72nd birthday.
1830 Thomas Whitehouse was born in Meriden St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Whitehouse.
1907 Rupert Montague Adams was born in Aston Manor, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Arthur Rupert Adams and his wife Adah Hunt.
1935 Stephen Hugh Pugh died in Canada the day before his 72nd birthday.
Friday, 11 February 2011
Sunderland Under Sail
Sunderland Under Sail is a series of 5 booklets published by Sunderland Antiquarian Society. It is a transcription of a series of newspaper articles published in the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle from 1881 to 1889 featuring the reminiscences of Bracey Robson Wilson (writing under the pseudonym "Robinson Crusoe"), a sailor who was born in Sunderland in 1812 and grew up there. The books give a lot of background information about life in Sunderland in the 1820s and also contain many details of the inhabitants of Sunderland at that time.
Wilson wrote the following about Richard Hudson.
The easternmost house on the south side of the same square [Akenhead's Square] was a tavern kept by Richard Hudson, running fitter, better known as Dick Hudson. He was a famous swimmer, and was about 64 years ago, appointed Harbour Master and captain of one of the lifeboats. He then removed to the Town End, opposite the Pottery Gate, where he kept the Lifeboat Tavern. The sign was a very large one, and represented a lifeboat going through a fearful sea to a wreck, Richard Hudson steering with an oar, and a man standing in the bow with a boathook in his hand. This sign was painted by Jefferson, who was once a scene-painter in the Sunderland Theatre. From this place Richard Hudson moved to the Ferry Boat Landing, where he died about sixty years ago, and was succeeded by Tommy Davidson as Harbour Master.
(Vol III, page 28)
Wilson also described the work of the running fitters:
The running fitter has now [1881] nearly passed away but sixty years ago we had [a long list of names], whose business it was to manage the keels belonging to the coalfitters. They also placed the vessels in their loading berths, and piloted them to sea.
(Vol II, page 14)
Wilson wrote the following about Richard Hudson.
The easternmost house on the south side of the same square [Akenhead's Square] was a tavern kept by Richard Hudson, running fitter, better known as Dick Hudson. He was a famous swimmer, and was about 64 years ago, appointed Harbour Master and captain of one of the lifeboats. He then removed to the Town End, opposite the Pottery Gate, where he kept the Lifeboat Tavern. The sign was a very large one, and represented a lifeboat going through a fearful sea to a wreck, Richard Hudson steering with an oar, and a man standing in the bow with a boathook in his hand. This sign was painted by Jefferson, who was once a scene-painter in the Sunderland Theatre. From this place Richard Hudson moved to the Ferry Boat Landing, where he died about sixty years ago, and was succeeded by Tommy Davidson as Harbour Master.
(Vol III, page 28)
Wilson also described the work of the running fitters:
The running fitter has now [1881] nearly passed away but sixty years ago we had [a long list of names], whose business it was to manage the keels belonging to the coalfitters. They also placed the vessels in their loading berths, and piloted them to sea.
(Vol II, page 14)
On this day ... 11 February
1805 Hugh Pugh married Elizabeth Williams at All Saints Church, Mochdre, Montgomeryshire, Wales.
1827 Mirrel Maria Turner was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England, the daughter of Francis Turner and Sarah Hudson.
1900 Alfred James Tennant married Ellen Isabella Darby in St Bartholomew's Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. The couple later emigrated to Canada.
1827 Mirrel Maria Turner was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England, the daughter of Francis Turner and Sarah Hudson.
1900 Alfred James Tennant married Ellen Isabella Darby in St Bartholomew's Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. The couple later emigrated to Canada.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
On this day ... 10 February
1894 Stephen Pugh died in Claremont, Ontario, Canada at the age of 72. He was born in Nantgwyn, Radnorshire, Wales and emigrated with his family in the 1840s.
1921 Mary Margaret Frances Ridley Thomas was born in Bryngwyn, Radnorshire, Wales, the daughter of the local rector William Thomas and his wife Sarah Jane Pugh.
1921 Mary Margaret Frances Ridley Thomas was born in Bryngwyn, Radnorshire, Wales, the daughter of the local rector William Thomas and his wife Sarah Jane Pugh.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
On this day ... 9 February
1744 Benjamin Bowater married Mary Nicklin in Dudley, Worcestershire, England
1790 Lancelot Hudson married Jane Henderson at Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland, Co Durham, England.
1856 Margaret Pugh died in Llandeilo Graban, Radnorshire, Wales. She was the widow of William Pugh.
1871 Walter William Cambier was born in Sunderland. He was the son of William Alfred Cambier, a Commander in the Royal Navy, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Hudson.
1790 Lancelot Hudson married Jane Henderson at Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland, Co Durham, England.
1856 Margaret Pugh died in Llandeilo Graban, Radnorshire, Wales. She was the widow of William Pugh.
1871 Walter William Cambier was born in Sunderland. He was the son of William Alfred Cambier, a Commander in the Royal Navy, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Hudson.
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
On this day ... 8 February
1832 John Leeming was born in Sunderland. He was the son of George Leeming and Abigail Stephenson.
1934 Mary Ann Pugh died in Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire, Wales, at the age of 73. She was a great-great grandmother of mine.
1988 My great-aunt Dorothy Nettie Nellist (nee Darby) died in Lancaster, Lancashire, England.
1934 Mary Ann Pugh died in Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire, Wales, at the age of 73. She was a great-great grandmother of mine.
1988 My great-aunt Dorothy Nettie Nellist (nee Darby) died in Lancaster, Lancashire, England.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Amanuensis Monday - the will of David Powell probated 1887
John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog, has a weekly theme each Monday called Amanuensis Monday to encourage the posting of transcriptions of documents to preserve and publish their contents.
David Powell was my 3 x great grandfather, the father of Jane Eliza Powell.
On the fourteenth day of March 1887 the Will with a Codicil thereto of David Powell late of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon in the County of Radnor, farmer deceased, who died on the eighth day of December 1886, at Hendrew aforesaid was proved in Her Majesty's High Court of Justice in the District Registry attached to the Probate Division thereof at Hereford by the Oath of David Powell of Hendrew aforesaid Farmer,the son of the deceased, the sole Executor named (in the said will) he having been first sworn duly to administer.
Personal Estate gross £18.0.0
No leaseholds
Extracted by The Executor
This is the last Will and Testament of me David Powell of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon in the county of Radnor Farmer. I revoke all Testamentary writings heretofore at any time executed by me and I appoint my son David Powell of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon aforesaid in the said County of Radnor Farmer sole Executor of this my Will. I give and bequeath the following legacies each and every one of them to be paid free of legacy duty that is to say
To my daughter Jane Eliza Hughes wife of Morgan Hughes the sum of Sixty pounds
To my daughter Mary Powell the wife of John Powell the sum of sixty pounds
To my son John Powell the sum of Two hundred and sixty pounds
To my son Arthur Powell the sum of Two hundred and sixty pounds
And to my son Thomas Price Powell the sum of Two hundred and sixty pounds.
And I hereby charge all my real and personal estate of whatsoever kind with the payment of the legacies hereinbefore bequeathed by me and subject to the payment of all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the legacies hereinbefore bequeathed by me. I give devised and bequeath my freehold farm known as Hendrew situate in the parish of Saint Harmon aforesaid in the said County of Radnor and all other my property both real and personal of whatsoever nature or kind and wheresoever situate unto and to the use of my said son David Powell his heirs and assigns in fee simple absolutely. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this third day of June one thousand eight hundred and eighty six.
Signed and declared by the said David Powell the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us all present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses:
Edward Hughes Clerk to Messrs Wood & Talbot, Solicitors, Rhayader
David Thomas, Nantgwyn, Saint Harmon, Black Smith
This is a codicil to the last will and testament of me David Powell of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon in the County of Radnor which Will bears the date the third day of June one thousand eight hundred and eighty six and is written on the first and second pages of this sheet of paper. Whereas since the date of my said Will I have advanced the sum of Twenty pounds to my daughter Mary Powell the wife of John Powell and the sum of Ten pounds to my son John Powell now I hereby declare it to be my Will and intention and I hereby direct that the said respective sums of twenty pounds and ten pounds so advanced as aforesaid shall be and are in satisfaction so far as such sums respectively extend of the legacies respectively and bequeathed by my said Will to my said daughter Mary Powell and my said son John Powell and further I declare it to be my Will and intention that any sums or sum which I may hereafter advance to any or either of the beneficiaries under my said Will shall be and shall be taken to be in part satisfaction pro tanto of the legacies or legacy by my said Will respectively given and bequeathed to such beneficiaries or beneficiary. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of November one thousand eight hundred and eighty six.
Signed and declared by the said David Powell the Testator as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our hands as witnesses.
David Thomas, Black smith Nantgwyn Smithy Saint Harmon
Edward Vaughan Ingram Cefnllech St Harmon
Proved at Hereford with a Codicil on the 14th day of March 1887 by the oath of David Powell, the son, the sole Executor named in the Will to whom administration was granted.
The testator David Powell was late of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon in the County of Radnor Farmer and died on the 8th day of December 1886 at Hendrew aforesaid.
Gross £18.0.0
The Executor
David Powell was my 3 x great grandfather, the father of Jane Eliza Powell.
On the fourteenth day of March 1887 the Will with a Codicil thereto of David Powell late of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon in the County of Radnor, farmer deceased, who died on the eighth day of December 1886, at Hendrew aforesaid was proved in Her Majesty's High Court of Justice in the District Registry attached to the Probate Division thereof at Hereford by the Oath of David Powell of Hendrew aforesaid Farmer,the son of the deceased, the sole Executor named (in the said will) he having been first sworn duly to administer.
Personal Estate gross £18.0.0
No leaseholds
Extracted by The Executor
This is the last Will and Testament of me David Powell of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon in the county of Radnor Farmer. I revoke all Testamentary writings heretofore at any time executed by me and I appoint my son David Powell of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon aforesaid in the said County of Radnor Farmer sole Executor of this my Will. I give and bequeath the following legacies each and every one of them to be paid free of legacy duty that is to say
To my daughter Jane Eliza Hughes wife of Morgan Hughes the sum of Sixty pounds
To my daughter Mary Powell the wife of John Powell the sum of sixty pounds
To my son John Powell the sum of Two hundred and sixty pounds
To my son Arthur Powell the sum of Two hundred and sixty pounds
And to my son Thomas Price Powell the sum of Two hundred and sixty pounds.
And I hereby charge all my real and personal estate of whatsoever kind with the payment of the legacies hereinbefore bequeathed by me and subject to the payment of all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the legacies hereinbefore bequeathed by me. I give devised and bequeath my freehold farm known as Hendrew situate in the parish of Saint Harmon aforesaid in the said County of Radnor and all other my property both real and personal of whatsoever nature or kind and wheresoever situate unto and to the use of my said son David Powell his heirs and assigns in fee simple absolutely. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this third day of June one thousand eight hundred and eighty six.
Signed and declared by the said David Powell the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us all present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses:
Edward Hughes Clerk to Messrs Wood & Talbot, Solicitors, Rhayader
David Thomas, Nantgwyn, Saint Harmon, Black Smith
This is a codicil to the last will and testament of me David Powell of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon in the County of Radnor which Will bears the date the third day of June one thousand eight hundred and eighty six and is written on the first and second pages of this sheet of paper. Whereas since the date of my said Will I have advanced the sum of Twenty pounds to my daughter Mary Powell the wife of John Powell and the sum of Ten pounds to my son John Powell now I hereby declare it to be my Will and intention and I hereby direct that the said respective sums of twenty pounds and ten pounds so advanced as aforesaid shall be and are in satisfaction so far as such sums respectively extend of the legacies respectively and bequeathed by my said Will to my said daughter Mary Powell and my said son John Powell and further I declare it to be my Will and intention that any sums or sum which I may hereafter advance to any or either of the beneficiaries under my said Will shall be and shall be taken to be in part satisfaction pro tanto of the legacies or legacy by my said Will respectively given and bequeathed to such beneficiaries or beneficiary. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of November one thousand eight hundred and eighty six.
Signed and declared by the said David Powell the Testator as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our hands as witnesses.
David Thomas, Black smith Nantgwyn Smithy Saint Harmon
Edward Vaughan Ingram Cefnllech St Harmon
Proved at Hereford with a Codicil on the 14th day of March 1887 by the oath of David Powell, the son, the sole Executor named in the Will to whom administration was granted.
The testator David Powell was late of Hendrew in the parish of Saint Harmon in the County of Radnor Farmer and died on the 8th day of December 1886 at Hendrew aforesaid.
Gross £18.0.0
The Executor
On this day ... 7 February
1793 Elizabeth Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England, the daughter of Lancelot Hudson and Jane Henderson. She died in September 1793.
1799 Richard Coulson was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England, the son of Robert Coulson and Barbara Smelt.
1839 Charles Taylor married Mary Leeming at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool.
1885 Margaret Pugh nee Kinsey died at Cefnpawl Farm, Abbey-cwm-hir, Radnorshire. After the death of her first husband Pryce Pugh in 1843, Margaret married his brother Josiah Pugh.
1799 Richard Coulson was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England, the son of Robert Coulson and Barbara Smelt.
1839 Charles Taylor married Mary Leeming at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool.
1885 Margaret Pugh nee Kinsey died at Cefnpawl Farm, Abbey-cwm-hir, Radnorshire. After the death of her first husband Pryce Pugh in 1843, Margaret married his brother Josiah Pugh.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Richard Hudson 1770 - 1821 and Patience Todner 1767 - 1848
Richard Hudson, the father of George Hudson, was born on 10 March 1770 in Numbers Garth, a street in the town of Sunderland, but in the parish of Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham. His parents were Lancelot and Elizabeth Hudson. He was baptised in St Michael's Church, Bishopwearmouth on 14 May 1770.
Richard was only fourteen when his father died, but by then had probably been working for a few years, following his father's trade and working as a keelman.
Patience Todner was born in late 1767 in Chartershaugh, a mining village in the parish of Chester-le-Street (now an empty field on the edge of Washington New Town, though the name lives on in the bridge crossing the river Wear by the field). Her parents were Ralph and Mary Todner. Ralph was a coal miner, though later on he worked as a water man (probably running a ferry across the river Wear).
On 30 April 1787 seventeen year old Richard married nineteen year old Patience at Holy Trinity Church, Washington, Co Durham. The couple settled in Sunderland and their first child, a boy called Lancelot after Richard's father, was born barely four months later. They went on to have a further 11 children, the last, George, being born in 1810. All the children were born in Sunderland.
Richard continued to work as a keelman, but also worked as a running fitter (in charge of organising a fleet of keelboats), ran a tavern, and for the last few years of his life, was the harbourmaster at Sunderland.
Richard died at the age of 51, on 10 June 1821, and was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard, in Sunderland.
Patience survived him by twenty-seven years. In the years following Richard's death, she continued to run the Lifeboat Tavern - the pub the couple had run together. Later, it was inherited by one of their daughters. In 1841, Patience was living with one of her sisters (the Todner women were long-lived) running another pub, this time back at Chartershaugh. Patience died in Sunderland on 7 January 1848, and was buried alongside her husband at Holy Trinity.
Their children were:
Lancelot Hudson 1787-1854
Ralph Hudson 1789-1852
Elizabeth Hudson 1792-1863
Richard Hudson 1794-??
Thomas Hudson 1796-1799
Margaret Hudson 1798-??
Jane Hudson 1800-1870
Patience Hudson 1802-1857
Thomas Hudson 1804-1810
William Hudson 1806-1875
Ann Hudson 1808-1809
George Hudson 1810-1869
Richard was only fourteen when his father died, but by then had probably been working for a few years, following his father's trade and working as a keelman.
Patience Todner was born in late 1767 in Chartershaugh, a mining village in the parish of Chester-le-Street (now an empty field on the edge of Washington New Town, though the name lives on in the bridge crossing the river Wear by the field). Her parents were Ralph and Mary Todner. Ralph was a coal miner, though later on he worked as a water man (probably running a ferry across the river Wear).
On 30 April 1787 seventeen year old Richard married nineteen year old Patience at Holy Trinity Church, Washington, Co Durham. The couple settled in Sunderland and their first child, a boy called Lancelot after Richard's father, was born barely four months later. They went on to have a further 11 children, the last, George, being born in 1810. All the children were born in Sunderland.
Richard continued to work as a keelman, but also worked as a running fitter (in charge of organising a fleet of keelboats), ran a tavern, and for the last few years of his life, was the harbourmaster at Sunderland.
Richard died at the age of 51, on 10 June 1821, and was buried in Holy Trinity Churchyard, in Sunderland.
Patience survived him by twenty-seven years. In the years following Richard's death, she continued to run the Lifeboat Tavern - the pub the couple had run together. Later, it was inherited by one of their daughters. In 1841, Patience was living with one of her sisters (the Todner women were long-lived) running another pub, this time back at Chartershaugh. Patience died in Sunderland on 7 January 1848, and was buried alongside her husband at Holy Trinity.
Their children were:
Lancelot Hudson 1787-1854
Ralph Hudson 1789-1852
Elizabeth Hudson 1792-1863
Richard Hudson 1794-??
Thomas Hudson 1796-1799
Margaret Hudson 1798-??
Jane Hudson 1800-1870
Patience Hudson 1802-1857
Thomas Hudson 1804-1810
William Hudson 1806-1875
Ann Hudson 1808-1809
George Hudson 1810-1869
On this day ... 6 February
1877 Jonathan Josiah Pugh died aged 15 in Llanbadarn Fynydd, Radnorshire, Wales. He was the son of James Pugh and Mary Ann Jones.
Saturday, 5 February 2011
On this day ... 5 February
1758 Joseph Hood married Dinah Watt at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.
1800 Thomas Lakinby died at only 15 days old, in Hartlepool. He was the son of Thomas Lakinby and Martha Robson.
1841 Stephen Pugh married his cousin Mary Pugh in St Garmon's Church, St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales.
1857 William James Darby, my great great grandfather, was born in Aston, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Henry Darby and Ellen Haywood.
1800 Thomas Lakinby died at only 15 days old, in Hartlepool. He was the son of Thomas Lakinby and Martha Robson.
1841 Stephen Pugh married his cousin Mary Pugh in St Garmon's Church, St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales.
1857 William James Darby, my great great grandfather, was born in Aston, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Henry Darby and Ellen Haywood.
Friday, 4 February 2011
On this day ... 4 February
1695 James Coulson married Isable Mensworth at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. (Actually technically not "on this day" as in 1695 England was still using the Julian Calendar, but it's too complicated to work out exactly which day is 316 years ago!)
1800 John Hood was born in Hartlepool, the son of Thomas Hood and Mary Robson. John died of scarlet fever when he was only 3 years old.
1815 The rather splendidly named Lancelot Hudson Halliday was born in Sunderland, the son of John Halliday and Jane Hudson.
1833 Ann Miller was born in Sunderland, the daughter of John Miller and Margaret Hudson.
1800 John Hood was born in Hartlepool, the son of Thomas Hood and Mary Robson. John died of scarlet fever when he was only 3 years old.
1815 The rather splendidly named Lancelot Hudson Halliday was born in Sunderland, the son of John Halliday and Jane Hudson.
1833 Ann Miller was born in Sunderland, the daughter of John Miller and Margaret Hudson.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
On this day ... 3 February
1872 Henry Usher married Jane Marson at St John the Evangelist Church, Birtley, Co Durham, England.
1877 Edward Bowen married Maria Lewis at All Saints Church, Mochdre, Montgomeryshire, Wales
1877 Edward Bowen married Maria Lewis at All Saints Church, Mochdre, Montgomeryshire, Wales
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Wordless Wednesday - Dick and Dora Hudson
Dick at the wash tub, he took it in the garden that you could see him better, helping Dora.
I think that the photo was taken in Australia where Dick and Dora settled after World War Two. The caption is on the back of the photo which was mailed to Dick's brother Bill Hudson back in England. Dick was Richard Wilson Hudson, his wife was originally Dora Ethel Wood.
On this day ... 2 February
1718 Robert Kerss was born in Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland. He was the son of Robert Kerss.
1752 Thomas Bowater married Ann Taylor at St Martin's Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.
1988 Jessie Violet Griffiths nee Darby died at Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, England. She was my great-aunt.
1752 Thomas Bowater married Ann Taylor at St Martin's Church, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.
1988 Jessie Violet Griffiths nee Darby died at Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, England. She was my great-aunt.
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
February goals
Around New Year, many genealogists posted their goals for the year on their blogs. Other than deciding to keep a blog, I didn't come up with any goals for the year - I hope that the need to write posts for the blog will keep me sufficiently focused to get something done. I've noticed that some bloggers are also posting monthly goals - this strikes me as being more manageable, and I like the idea of posting the goals in public to hold myself accountable. So here are my goals for February:
New research
Blog
Eating the elephant:
There are some (re)organisation tasks I want to do, all of which will take forever. The only way to do these is the same way that you eat an elephant - one bite at a time.
Indexing
I decided a couple of years ago to get involved with indexing through the Family Search website. I used the old FamilySearch a lot and benefited from the indexing done by the LDS volunteers; it seems only fair that I should do some indexing in return. My goal is to index at least 10 names a day - say 300 for the month.
New research
- Fixing sources (see later) and writing blog posts should help to identify the gaps in my genealogy. Having identified them, I need to try to fix them. I don't think there are any easy gaps left, at least on my direct lines. So the plan is to write proper research plans for the missing information. Then arrange to complete them - this will mean going to archives, not just looking on the computer. I've done this before, but it's been a while. My goal for February is to write 2 research plans.
- Following on from this, I already have a list of lookups to do at a few local archives. My goal is to get to an archive, for at least a couple of hours this month - maybe take a day or two off work and get to Durham Record Office.
Blog
- I've now written up all my grandparents, great grandparents and great great grandparents for this blog. This is where my information starts to get more sketchy. So I'm going to slow down with the posts. I'll post my research plans, to keep myself honest, and try to complete 4 more profiles of couples. Along with some meme posts, like Wordless Wednesday, that should mean around 12 posts for the month (aside from "On This Day" posts which will continue to go out daily). My goal is to post 12 times this month.
- Try to figure out how to add pages to the blog to include some Ahnentafel details, or descendant lists, as indexes to the postings. My goal is to add one page to my blog.
Eating the elephant:
There are some (re)organisation tasks I want to do, all of which will take forever. The only way to do these is the same way that you eat an elephant - one bite at a time.
- Tag all digital files with the User IDs from Legacy. Everyone in my family tree has an ID number, and I want all my digital files to include the appropriate user numbers in the filename. (The idea is that I can then use Windows Search function to easily locate everything to do with any given person, just by searching for the User ID - it works well, I just wish I'd thought of it years ago). I've done 2569 files so far, and have 8811 left to go. My goal to do around 20 a day (probably fewer if they are census files as these will have several IDs to attach)
- "Fix" sources in Legacy. Just about everything in my database is sourced, after a fashion, but I want to get the sources fixed so that they include all the information they should. As part of the process, I will be able to identify any facts for which the evidence I have is inadequate - for example, where all I have is an index entry. My goal is to fix sources for 5 people during the month.
- Scanning photographs - I inherited a box of photos from my grandmother. Got hold of them AFTER my old scanner stopped working and it's taken me ages to get a new scanner. Now that I've run out of excuses, I want to get them scanned (and tagged). Then get hold of the photos from the other side of the family. My goal is to scan 10 pictures a week.
Indexing
I decided a couple of years ago to get involved with indexing through the Family Search website. I used the old FamilySearch a lot and benefited from the indexing done by the LDS volunteers; it seems only fair that I should do some indexing in return. My goal is to index at least 10 names a day - say 300 for the month.
On this day ... 1 February
1767 William Evis married Elizabeth Herring at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.
1779 Thomas Fenwick married Elinor Todner at St Michael's Church, Houghton le Spring, Co Durham, England.
1795 Elizabeth Yeal was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Robert Yeal and his wife Dinah Hood
1887 Elizabeth Powell was born in St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. She was the daughter of David Powell and his second wife Catherine Jane Lewis.
1779 Thomas Fenwick married Elinor Todner at St Michael's Church, Houghton le Spring, Co Durham, England.
1795 Elizabeth Yeal was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of Robert Yeal and his wife Dinah Hood
1887 Elizabeth Powell was born in St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. She was the daughter of David Powell and his second wife Catherine Jane Lewis.
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