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?

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.

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!!!!!!!

Parish Register Research

Snow all gone - thank goodness. Maybe now we can get about again. Did use some of the time going through some of the parish registers on the Family History Centre Pilot website. Searched the Seaton Carew 1833-1879 and Heighington 1765-1821. Now need to find time to go through some of the others.

Just met Stephen who is my 3rd cousin and he has sent some extra details but we need to check the different dates.

Brickwalls

Back on 4 January the administrator of one of the mailing lists to which I subscribe uk-northeast@rootsweb.com offered members to add their names of interest. This was to good to miss and I went a little further, not only adding my interests but asking for help with my Sarah Brown - James Taylor brickwall. Sarah being the wife of my 2x great grandfather William Greathead.

I have been very lucky and received a couple of Emails from the mailing list members that have ben very helpful. Sadly the brickwall remains, but many thanks to those who contacted me.

A name for the wife of George Usher

Received an Email from Sue who was surprised to see the picture of Hannah who was her great grandmother. She gave me the name of Hannah's son George's wife and has promised to provide more information on that side of the family. I look very forward to hearing from her again.