What’s in a name? In my quest to track down ancestors, I have always concentrated on using the last name as a searching term. I never thought the first name would be useful. However, because first names are often passed down through generation after generation, I have discovered that they may provide a clue to finding missing ancestors, particularly if you have come to a dead end. For years I have struggled to find any records of my Bell ancestors … Continue reading
Meet the culprit…the source of so much angst and hours of trolling, delving up hill and down dale through mountains of paperwork and never-ending websites. Searching… searching… and more searching. Sleepless nights of wondering… just where did my Maggie go? Come on Aunt, show yourself… you know… the ‘real’ you. The tricky, cheeky, and suddenly evaporated Margaret Waters. The elusive entity, crossed between the wonderful family loving young woman and femme de frustration. A Croake to a Keogh! Now, meet … Continue reading
By Vicki MacGregor So, out there in this big world, who are we related to? Pretty much everyone. Could be someone we pass on the street, sit next to in a restaurant… anyone… anywhere. We’re all connected somehow. Anyone famous? Years ago, I met a young woman from the UK who’s second or third great grandfather was a former one term Republican President of the United States, William Howard Taft. I thought that was pretty cool. So, I did a … Continue reading
For some time now I’ve had a photo of a man in a military style uniform in my possession. It was passed to me by my mother when she moved house as she knew of my interest in our family’s history. The photo was originally found in my Nan’s wardrobe after she passed away in 2004. The simple frame was barely holding together, there were no markings or inscriptions on the photo itself to indicate who this gentleman was, or … Continue reading
Anzac Day is an opportunity to reflect on the violence and futility of wars, and the waste of human lives that result from war. We do not seem to learn from history. The following brief investigation into the impact that Gallipoli had on my family demonstrates our desire for peace. Gallipoli was a tragedy. It originated with a plan devised by Sir Winston Churchill. His objective was to seize Turkey, thus weakening the German Allied forces and securing the Suez Canal. The AIF … Continue reading
