Canada Census 1921

Just completed entering the Canadian census details to my database.  All will be revealed in Friday when the website is updated.  Discovered one new child record

Website updated - 1 July 2013

This update includes lots of Pennsylvania and Manchester updated records.  Charts 8 and 28 have also been updated.

Find my past included some new Lincolnshire parish records.  I have added some Lincolnshire burials.

Following an email regarding Lauretta Greathead also known as Lauretta Groskop.  A TV programme stated that Lauretta married Robert Groskop and was the grandmother of a previous Blue Peter presenter.  I have proved the link, but it would seem that Lauretta maybe the niece of Robert.  Maybe however she was adopted and on official records kept the name of Greathead.  Anyone know anything different!!!!

Greathead Brew

Just discovered this website.  Anyone live near and can get some souvenirs for me please?  Their facebook page gives lots more pictures. I would love a mug or tee-shirt.
The facebook states they are in Laguna Niguel, California

Website updated October 2012

I visited Chicksands on 16 September and toured the house.  Then onto All Saints, the  Parish Church, Campton, nr Shefford, Bedfordshire where Edward Harris Greathed  married Charlotte Frederica Caroline Osborn  on 4 August 1869 to visit the Osborn graves, some in the Churchyard and others in the crypt below the church
Still working on the Greathead books and hoping some kind gentleman will start the DNA ball rolling shortly.
Chart 28 now includes the family descended from Thomas W Greathead who married Frances Hux and travelled to America in 1819 and most of their family is documented on the website.  Chart 10 has been absorbed into Chart 28
Many new dates and references updated

1940 US Census

At last completed all the 1940 census entries.  A few mistranscriptions but found most entries and solved a few I could not find on previous years.  All now on my database.  Will be shown on next update due 31 August

Regional Guild meeting

We had an excellent meeting in Hammersmith overlooking the River. The theme was Christmas and Lauretta told us many family Christmas stories and played Pope Joan.

I was interested to hear how when her sailing trips across the pond included Christmas Eve the ship slowed down almost to a halt, so Santa Claus would not get burnt when he came down the shops funnel. Kept the mystery of Santa Claus alive.

Researchers around the world

I have had many thoughts recently, here are a few

Would those who follow the Greathead site welcome a Greathead society (inexpensive annual cost) with a quarterly newsletter?

Maybe I could encourage a Greathead Representative to come forward to assist me in research certain areas of the world, local to them?

Maybe someone might like to take up the DNA banner and get the ball rolling on the Greathead DNA project?

Please tell me what your thoughts are?

Website updated 2 April 2011

Do look the charts.  Maybe you are on there or related. It would be great if some of your descendants would consider performing a DNA test. We might then be able to see just to whom you are related ? Website updated ready for the gathering in London. If you have not already contacted me to say you are coming or want more details do shout looking forward to seeing you there

Safe from fires

I was very relieved to hear back from a newly met contact who lives just outside Los Angeles that she was safe although the fires were just a few blocks away from her. She has her photographs all packed ready to evacuate if necessary. I do hope that does not happen. But some of the pictures she sent are very sad. The firemen look exhausted. I do hope it comes to an end soon.

Records lost for ever but fortunately I have not heard of lives being lost

Photographs of Greatheads

Doris in Los Angeles has sent me some wonderful pictures of her parents, grandparents and great grandparents and her aunt. All have been included in the database and will appear on the website on next update due 31 August. Thank you Doris they are amazing and oh how the menfolk look alike, wait and see what you think

Greathead bible

A while ago I was sent a copy of a page of a bible containing details of the children of William Mawer and Jane Greathead. At the top of the page were entries about Robert and Esther Greathead. At the time I could not manage to understand how the families were related. I was sure they should be.

I write now because I have been reviewing some of my old data and believe it or not still cannot find the relationship, but there must be. Any ideas?

The life of John Greathead

The postman has just arrived containing the promised "Life of John Greathead" Just how lucky am I. Many, many thanks Philip I can hardly wait to read the typed pages. Philip warned there were a few pages missing but I am sure it will not spoil the story too much

More spelling mistakes

Brilliant. Gainford should read Gainfort. Thanks Tim all changed just in time for the update tomorrow

Passenger lists on www.findmypast.com

I was excited to see that http://www.findmypast.com/ have now added entries up to 1929. SoI have added them all to a spreadsheet and am slowly going through them matching where I can and adding information to the narratives. This will hopefully add interest and detail to the relavant people. It is interesting to see that went on a round voyage and those that emigrated. Some even returned either to stay or re-emigrate.

Lyndon and Agnes Greathead

I was delighted to receive an Email from Stu, a delightful young gentleman who is the nephew of Lyndon and Agnes. He gave me a wonderful insight into the lives of these two people. He also gave me copies of Lyndon's certificate of baptism, his naturalisation certificate and their marriage certificate. I have never seen a certificate of naturlisation before so was particularly interested in that copy. He also gave me some pictures of them and their dream house and car. I love pictures of the Greathead family, they and the stories bring family history alive for me and hopefully others.

How very kind to share your memories of these people who clearly meant so much to you.

Stella Greathead

Paul wrote to me having found this blog to say that his grandmother was the husband of Stella. Howard and Florence May Yearwood (1887 - 1970) were siblings born in British Guiana. I am hoping he may be able to add more details about their life. It is often difficult to add narratives to "foreign" family unless their lives hit the newspapers. So I do hope Paul will help me.

Philip L Greathead

Serendipity does exist. I was viewing the Nevada Marriage index on Ancestry only a few days ago and found he names Helen Phyllis Greathead and Donald Leroy Burns. But who were they?

Today I found out that Helen was one of Philip's daughters. I now have Philip's wife's name and details of their family bring it up to date. Amazing.

Denice one of Helen's children provided this information and has promised pictures and certificates. How very kind, I can hardy wait. Thanks very much

William Greathead Curran

The introduction of some BMD entries in US newspapers on Ancestry has however allowed me to link the Curran family with our Greatheads, through William Greathead Curran I have discovered that Frank Curran born in England about 1838 was the brother in law of John William Walker Greathead and the husband of Elizabeth Greathead . Need to do some more digging though. Anyone any thoughts?

William Greathead's parents in law

One again Ellen has come up trumps with a fabulous picture of William and Alice Sands née Richards (as I am now informed by Ellen). She called them a real fun couple. I think maybe it just was not done to smile when being photographed. Their daughter Rachel married William Greathead . Thanks Ellen a brilliant photograph

Fulton County burials

Johnny Greathead from Pennsylvania has sent to me a listing compiled by the Fulton County Historical Society of all interments in Fulton County, formerly part of Bedford County. The only query I had was who was the infant child buried with Jane E Greathead wife of Francis. Maybe the child was stillborn and unnamed. Thanks Johnny