Yearly Archives: 2016

A Super-gene?

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Current DNA research suggests that the descendants of plague survivors share certain genetic changes, described as super-genes, that may extend life expectancy by providing protective immunity and resistance to certain cancers and auto-immune diseases.  The theory interests me because two of my Italian ancestors may possibly have died of plague,  My 8x-great-grandfather Michele and his son Giovanni died on the same day at ages 85 and 54, respectively. Their deaths could be attributable to factors other than plague – an accident of … Continue reading

Healing Your Family Patterns

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 A few weeks ago I acquired a bookcase specifically to hold all my family history and genealogy notes, documents, folders, books and other paraphernalia. The bookcase is tall, narrow and old fashioned looking and is perfect for that purpose.   I am not a tidy or methodical person much to my disappointment. These are qualities which would be great for my hobby and pastime of family history research. However, the acquisition of this bookcase will allow me to keep everything … Continue reading

The family at leisure

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Do you know someone who has been caught up in the Pokemon Go craze? or maybe someone who spends a lot of time on Facebook or Instagram or other form of social media? I’m not a fan of social media or computer games, but my daughter recently introduced me to a couple of games to play on my phone while I’m on the train or waiting for something else. I even helped her to catch a few Pokemon, while she … Continue reading

It Is a Great Time to be Irish!

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For many years if you mentioned you had Irish research the other person said how sorry they were for you as “everything had burned”. While it is true that many records of great use to family historians were destroyed in the Four Courts Fire, it is not true that everything was destroyed. Over the last number of years more records have been digitised and placed online including the 1901 and 1911 censuses. (Sadly only fragments of previous censuses have not … Continue reading

Family History Gems Hidden in Plain Sight

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  Family History Gems Hidden in Plain Sight   Hello again – it seems that my first effort at blogging a couple of months ago was alright, as I have gotten another invite to write the entry for the 5th Monday of the month.  So here goes ….   Many murder mysteries often have vital clues “hidden in plain sight” for the protagonists, and the reader/viewer, to miss noticing right up to the critical moment.  Things like a letter hidden … Continue reading