Sarah’s photograph sits on my bedside table, and every day when I look at it, I think of what this picture of my much loved grandmother portrays. What I see is that Sarah Sommer was a no nonsense lady, stylish at all times, determined and capable. This description fits Sarah to a ‘T’. Born into another era, Sarah made her entry into the life of Christian and Anna Louise Sommer (maiden surname Stephan) on 22 September 1887 with her birth … Continue reading
Do you have favourite resources/internet sites that you go to for your research? Do you limit yourself to these or do you actively seek out new ones? Some ways in which I try to expand my knowledge are to offer, and attend, education courses and conferences; investigate websites highlighted or recommended in magazines or by other researchers; and write this regular blog. How do these help me to learn more? Presenting an education course or writing a blog post puts … Continue reading
By Joan Riek. Many years ago I was given a copy of a letter my great-great-grandmother had written to my great-grandmother in December,1886. Such a wealth of information was found in that letter. My great-great-grandmother Mary Ann Sawtell lived in Kangaloon, New South Wales, while my great-grandmother Elizabeth Perrett lived in Laidley, Queensland.In the letter Mary Ann talks about many of the residents living in and around Kangaloon. In fact forty two people are mentioned in the letter. Could we … Continue reading
By Joan Riek. Have you ever thought about obtaining the will of your ancestor? It can be very useful. It also gives you an insight on family relations, which sometimes cause controversy. Recently I was doing some researching, or could you say re-researching of a relative John Trew. In an earlier post I stated how I thought I had finished researching him. In John’s will[1] he leaves everything to his first daughter, Nellie, whom he states is living at Hiram … Continue reading
