Author Archives: heritagelady13

It happens surprisingly frequently, although we take it for granted that the census records we routinely use (except for 1841) are headed by the ‘head’.  But here are some exceptions. Perhaps the best known example comes from the 1851 Census of St George Hanover Square. 1851 Census; Belgrave, St George Hanover Square, Middlesex; ED 2;ContinueContinue reading “When is the head not listed at the head? When is there no head at all?”

If I’d had a pound for every person who supposedly ‘doesn’t appear in the census’ but subsequently turned up after a thorough search I might have retired by now. But what about those that actually appear to be on the census twice – or more? One such scenario belongs to an Arthur Walne, born inContinueContinue reading “Two places at once?”

“Farmer’s Death from BurnsOn Wednesday, an inquest was held at Pimlico, Clitheroe, in reference to the death of a retired farmer named James Walne, aged seventy-three years, who died the previous day from the effects of burns received a week ago. Walne got out of bed soon after midnight to see what the time was.ContinueContinue reading “The dangers of celluloid”

As the country commemorates the centenary of the Battle of Jutland, FindMyPast announced a searchable compilation of records relating to the servicemen involved. HMS Shannon The collection is called ‘British Royal Navy and Royal Marines, Battle of Jutland 1916 Servicemen’. It includes many of those serving with the British Grand Fleet between 31 May andContinueContinue reading “ONS: A Jutland Connection”

Names. Most of us have one. We name our pets, our neighbours’ pets, our cars, our computers, all sorts… but that’s nothing compared to choosing a name for a child. My husband and I are getting closer to hopefully extending our family tree downwards for the first time. We can feel somewhat smug about havingContinueContinue reading “How to name your baby: advice from my ancestors”

Some time ago I relayed the story of Sister Jessie Clementia Hayward who left a diary describing how, while travelling abroad to nurse troops injured during the First World War, she was one of the hundreds aboard the SS Transylvania when it was torpedoed.  I am currently putting together a trio of stories from the FirstContinueContinue reading “Jessie Clementia Hayward, Hardley, Norfolk”