West Surrey FHF

Went to the West Surrey Family History Fair today and met several friends from U3A, IHGS, WSFHS and GoONS. Certainly a lovely day to meet old friends. Talked for a while with Louise who I have not seen for many years, it was good to cath up. Amazing how family history can keep friendships going for years.

Bought a couple of reference books.

Failed to see my friends Teresa and Stuart, do hope they are ok?

Good few hours, sorry if I missed you

More Excise men

Lead a Wonersh U3A group on a visit to TNA today and managed to get through several more microfiche and excise minute books. Also attended the lecture in the afternoon about the trial and execution of Charles I. After Mondays visit to Houses of Parliament where in the Westminster Hall the trial took place it was a most apt topic.

Only 499 microfiche left to search....................

Houses of Parliament

Went on a trip with U3A today to Houses of Parliament. After rather a delayed arrival (road works in West Hill) we were taken on a guided tour of the building. Our guide, a young Swedish lady who came over to take a degree in history. Her historic and House of Parliament knowledge was amazing. After a short break for lunch we then, at Baroness Margaret Sharp's invitation we sat in the House of Lords strangers gallery to listen to Question time.

Fantastic day

Robert and Sarah Ann Greathead

Just received an unexpected and most welcome Email from Lorraine. She included seven pictures. Wow. Robert and his wife Sarah née Bright, Albert Cyril, Ashbury Charles, Robert Barnier Knight, Rita Blanche née Denham, Ruth Annie Darwin, Ruth Darwin née Rowley and of her husband and herself.

It is super receiving the pictures of relatives, but I do so enjoy also receiving pictures of the people with whom I correspond. These pictures of living people will remain on my personal database as they do not appear on the website. But I can now "see" Lorraine. Many thanks indeed

1911 census and FreeReg website

Hopefully now done most of my ONS 1911 census entries, now to do the others that appear on the website.

Downloaded all the baptisms on the FreeReg website and going steadily through. Not sure they will all get done by next website update. But good to find parents linked to children by name and father's occupation.

Photographs

Today I have completed scanning many photographs of Jean's family. Jean rang me up out of the blue a week or so ago. I had written to her a while ago and it was lovely to hear from her. She is clearly a very busy lady, but found time to send to me some wonderful family photographs. Many of them will apper on the website at the next update. Walter John Greathead and his siblings will be amongst those appearing. Thank you Jean very much

Excise men

Went to TNA today and decided I must do the exercise properly, so started on CUST47 microfiche 1 and ploughed my way though to 90 until my eyes hurt. There are well over 300 did not dare to see the actual number. Amazingly I found two Greathead excise men I did not know about. After a swift cup of coffee and sandwiches brought from home I went to look at the minute books I had ordered from the mornings work. Time only allowed me to search through six of them, I transcribed what I could and took photographs of the relevant pages.

I took time out to hear the talk about Tracing Ancestors in Nelson's Navy by Bruno Pappalardo. I remembered Lauretta telling us back at her house how good Bruno was, and I was not disappointed.

Going again next week so will hopefully do some more

Reigate ONS meeting

Seventeen of us met in the Buckland Hall in Buckland, near Reigate last evening and spent a very pleasant evening. We had demonstrations on various genealogical software programs and also one written and created by one of our group. Discussions about the pros and cons of the programs and how we gather and store our data took place. Strangely a subject that ONS'ers never seem to tire.

Thanks to Everett for organising the room and making coffee. It was decided that I organise another in that location in April

Compliments

It is always nice to get an Email from my mate Tony. He supplies me with many new leads and always give me support. Today was no different, keep them coming, thanks Tony