It has been some time since I wrote here, let alone write a Desk Ramblings. I needed to take a step back and remove one stress factor. That said, I don't view writing here as a stress. It has simply been a casualty of me getting overwhelmed.  I am feeling much better, there are still issues for me to deal with, but the worse is behind me.

Happy July everyone! I have another busy month with tutoring and presenting.  I have three talks with the Society of Genealogists: 5 July 2025 - Genealogical Research on the Isle of Man - Information and book HERE 12 July 2025 - My Ancestor was an Alien - Information and book HERE                     17 July 2025 - Getting the Most from a One-Name…

Our Genealogical pursuits are underpinned with the history relevant to the country where our ancestors hailed from, and also by wider current affairs. Our people, much like us today did not live in isolation. They, as we are, were affected by social, economic, political and religious facts. Impacted by decisions made by politicians, either those in office, or those that were part of a previous government.

The range of material that is key to unravelling our family histories is quite astounding. In the modern world with the commercial organisations holding rafts of data it is easy to believe that the material has always been available in this way, and anyone who has researched their family history for decades will be aware that over the last 25 years or so the internet has revolutionised the way we research, access and explore historical material.

Let me start by asking what is Family? Is the definition that you might find in a dictionary consistent? Has the meaning changed over the years? Has it broadened or As any former student of the One-Name Studies courses knows I reconstruct family groups and my starting point is from a marriage, and not a census. I am often asked why that is the case, and here is the reason.

Researching European ancestry is many things, from frustrating, saddening, exciting, challenging, and many other emotions. I tutor the Researching Ancestors in Continental Europe course for Pharos Tutors which starts in May 2025.  The course which runs over five weeks is accompanied by a 120 page resource pack. Writing such a course was fascinating, in our modern world as more and more material is coming online enabling research for afar as a…

Directories enables us to see a snapshot in time, whether that is a home or a business address. If you look at the image here which shows three directories from Guildford in Surrey, representing 1953, 1955 and 1963. I casually flick through the pages, coming across family members that have long since passed, living in areas that were once independent of Guildford, but now a suburb, in houses since demolished,  working for businesses long since closed, or farming on land on which the University of Surrey sits.

On the face of it culture might not have relevance to genealogy or family history. Frequently and more important in our ever changing world, things that are central to our heritage fade into the past. Replicated by the passing of the matriarchs in our families, the individuals that are the glue of our families.  If I look back at my own family, I am distinctly aware that as one generation fades the next one takes their place.

Borders  are easy to cross and frequently invisible.  They are consistently impacted by a multitude of factors, with those factors being variable, depending on perception or wider implications. In essence, borders is not a topic for which there is black or white, instead there might be a murky grey colour with varying undertones. I am going to start with an image that I have shared many times before.

One of the challenges genealogists encounter is the spelling of names, surnames and places. The challenge rather depends on several things. People write what they think they hear, which is impacted by unfamiliarity of accents, dialects and other languages Challenging the misspelling of a word is only has possible if you can read what was written in the first place.

I frequently teach and present on surnames and researching in Europe, but rather than be specific on either of those topics or others I present on, this year the A-Z theme is going to be focused on: Research considerations Resources Hints and Tips to assist in research Records, notes and sources Citations, abbreviations Location of records Repeating of surnames across the globe…

Yesterday I watched a great series of presentations hosted by the Society of Genealogist in collaboration with the Northumberland and Durham Family History Society. The event was free to attend, and the recording is linked. Firstly, we heard Else Churchill, Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists talk about materials held, both online and at the premises in Wharf Road, London.

The introduction of Parish Records in England and Wales began on 5 September 1538. The Vicar General, Thomas Cromwell mandated that clergy were to keep a written record of baptisms, marriages and burials that occurred within their parish. The records were required to be held in a chest with two locks, with the clergy holding one key, and the Churchwardens the other.

A busy surname week for me.  On Wednesday 15 January  I am delighted to be delivering my talk Pursuing Surnames to members of Nottinghamshire Family History Society. Then next week, the first Pharos one-name study course of 2025 begins on Monday 20th January. Guild of One-Name Studies members, can access a promotional code via a page on the Guild's website.

A day or so ago I ordered my copy of Jamaican Genealogy Research by Vilma Ruddock, which arrived yesterday. I have an individual from my Puttenham One-Place Study who left his wife in England, and with at least one of his children, sailed to Jamaica. He died there and his will was proved there also. This has been on my To Do list for several years and this seemed the time to see if I could nail this down.

The start of the year means that I need to find some time to run though my notebooks of the last year and check for any outstanding notes that need attention. There has been a few tweaks to my previous notebook use, which I plan to chat about towards the end of the post.  So, running from left to right:

There is something rather cathartic about the start of a year. The promise of potential. The ability to set your own goals, hopes, dreams, promises and intentions for the year ahead. Despite popular belief, these do not need to be set on 1 Jan, otherwise I have failed miserably, as I am already a day late!  Below is a quick snapshot of how I approach this:

Just before Christmas we headed across the border into Scotland to have a quick visit with our niece and to drop off Christmas presents for our great nephew and his sister. The highlight, as gifts go was a rocking sheep which I am told my great niece loved, and we were sent a photograph of her sitting on it with a huge smile.