Duchess of Richmond's Ball on 15 June 1815

Next year is the 200th anniversary of the Duchess of Richmond's Ball on 15 June 1815.  Edward and Mary Greathed attended this ball.  Do you want to be part of these celebrations?

It would be good to have a Greathead contingent at this years ball

Greathead gathering

We had a wonderful day in London on 14 June where over 40 people attended.  We had our photo taken initally with those that were there at 12 noon under James Greathead's statue.  We then went to the Wetherspoons pub close by where others joined us.  We ate, drank, chatted, shared notes.  I scanned some pictures that had been brought to share and I rolled out the very, very long paper trees I had created.

Everyone who attended went home with their own tree and hopefully some happy memories.

Now to add all that data and pictures to the database, much of which will appear on the website in July

I had a great time, hope you did too

Website updated - 1 June 2014

Just updated the website.  Hope that after the meeting in London we have lost more information and maybe pictures to add next month.

Looking forward to meeting lots of new Greatheads or related to Greathead people on 14 June

Website updated - 2 May 2014

I have updated the website.  However there is only one more update before we meet in London.

We have several Greatheads who are coming who did not come last time.  Can we really make a push and get the website as up to date as possible?. 

Remember living people do NOT have their narratives on the website, they stay on my database.  But, if we do not gather those stories now, they could be lost.  Our grandchildren will want to read them

Please come to London with certificates, pictures and stories, but most of all bring yourselves.  Come on let's make it a fantastic day.  If you are, were, will be, related to no matter how distant or just interested in this wonderful name.  I look forward to meeting you.

Let me know you are coming please

Website updated - April 2014

Website has been updated. 

I must now concentrate on the London gathering and hope that as many Greathead related people make it to London on Saturday 14 June.  If you have some information for the website do send to me so we can add before we meet.  I will bring a scanner to scan photographs, certificates or any memorabilia to the gathering.

Put the date in your diary and write to me to say you are coming.  Tell all your relatives.  IF related to a Greathead you will be most welcome

Website updated - 1 January 2014

Happy New Year to everyone.

Lots of updates but no particular break throughs.

Come on everyone lets get the website ready for the Greathead gathering on Saturday 14 June 2014 in London.

Let me know if you want details.   Hope to get as many people who are interested in Greatheads as possible together

Next Greathead gathering

Please put in your diaries Saturday 14 June 2014

We will meet in London as last time under the statue of James Henry Greathead for photographs, then back to Weatherspoons, I hope to have some books written and special charts available. 

Let me know if you plan to attend

Yes I know it is a long time in advance but I want everybody to keep the date free, so we really can make a great gathering

So come on please send me those pictures, copies of certificates and information so the books really are special

It would also be lovely to get some DNA tests done so come on gentlemen please think about it.  Lets prove we are all related

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?

Birks Lamb Reunion

At long last I have updated the website with some relevant pictures from the Reunion and update the home page. I have many more pictures and of course lots of family data that has already been added. Now I have contacts all over the world to the living family members. I look very forward to working with them all to improve the website.

Reunion

I was delighted to be invited to the Lamb-Birks reunion in Hartlepool last Saturday. We celebrated the wedding of my first cousin once removed Emily Douglas Lamb to Hugh Halliford Birks on 30 August 1911 almost 100 years ago.

Thirty five members of the family joined together for a photograph on the steps of the Grand Hotel, Hartlepool where the original wedding photographs were taken and then retired to a room full of pictures and memorabilia supplied by many of the group. We had a three course dinner and splendid cake.

The main organisers were Sally Richardson and her husband Peter Birks and Michael Hall. They are to be congratulated for a splendid weekend.

I was delighted to see from the newspaper article in the local paper on 30 August 1911 that my great grandparents gave the couple a cheque and my grandparents gave them two pictures.

New data request

Following the successful gathering I have been exploring stories some people told me. Have you got any to add, love to hear them.

I am always on the look out for copies of BMD certificates to add to my collection. Can't afford £9.25 for each, but if you have one you can copy and share I would be grateful. Maybe I have one you would like to receive a copy of?

Pictures tell a thousand stories. The summer is here, well almost. Get out those old albums, sit in the sun and see if you can send me copies of some pictures please.

Gathering was a success

Over 60 people attended the gathering. Most arrived in time for the photoshoot and one picture taken can be found on the from page of the website. Others arrived and joined us for lunch and a natter, sharing pictures and memories and viewing the three main charts that I took. I think people were quite surprised at just how large the charts were.

Over the next few days I will be creating a page showing more photographs and hoping to update the website tomorrow.

Many thanks for all those who attended and made the day so enjoyable for me. Hope you found it fun too.

As many said, lets hope we can do it again. Is there another Royal wedding impending!!!!!!!

Greathead gathering in London Saturday

Getting things ready for Saturday. Have you let me know if you are coming?

Let's make a huge gathering.

If you have not thought of coming before. Please do so now and contact me. Details on website

Gathering

Went to London today and took lots of pictures of JH3 Statue and thought I had found three possible pubs to go back to. But it now transpires they do not open at weekends. So back to the drawing book.

Photographs will appear on the website at the next update

First week of new year

I was delighted at the number of emails I received in the first week of this new year. Maybe the bad weather of Christmas has made people stay in doors and perhaps do some research.

I have met several new people with whom I have not spoken before and exchanged information and photographs.

Several people have expressed an interest in coming to the gathering in April, so I will go up to town soon and look out a venue for us to go to after the photo shoot. Adam has given me some ideas, thanks Adam.

We welcomed little Tobias and Henry to our extended "family" both born over the Christmas period.

Do keep the emails and attachments coming. I was delighted to receive two parcels this week also from people with lots of imnnformation to pass on

Snow, snow and more snow

Difficult to get out as we are experiencing a lot of snow. My track record of going out in snow is not good, so I go out only if I have to. However others seem to be doing similar, so most of my "spare" time is spent answering emails. Terrific, wonderful, I am meeting many new researchers and having contact with "old friends" and some of them are promising to come to the Greathead meet in April. Fantastic news.

Keep the emails coming, but most of please stay warm and safe wherever you are.