Background
I first started researching my family around 20 years ago. I was fortunate enough that a cousin of my dad had a Family Bible in her possession which, for personal reasons, she was unable to hand down. So, my dad being the nearest eldest Baldock male relative she knew, he received it. The inner pages had names and dates of a few ancestors, going back to 1831.
I was at university in London at the time, so it was convenient for me to visit St. Catherine’s House (the old record office) at weekends to do some research. Thus, I learnt to trace family the hard way – manually thumbing through index after index, second-guessing facts, dates and ages. All this at a time when the internet was in its infancy, and certainly availability of digitised records was unknown/unheard of.
Having completed my degree in 1990, I no longer had the resources to continue the research, so all went quiet …. until the BBC went all retrospective!
Technology developments over the years have seen the creation of The National Archives, its digitisation project(s), and a massive increase in TV and satellite programmes about history (and family history in particular). A lot of impetus may lie in the anniversaries of the World Wars, since people have become interested in how their ancestors were affected.
Personally, my interest in my own family history was revitalised by the two BBC series, “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “My Family At War“, which revolved around celebrities and their family history, the latter dealing specifically with World War One (WWI).
So there you are …. a brief background as to why I’m doing this.
I won’t use their surnames, but thanks must go to Joan for the Bible, and Susan and Penny for other family information and research. I have had the aid of a multitude of online sources, which are too numerous to mention here, but will be indicated en route. Thanks, too, of course, to my parents who provide me with the links to all the history!
Disclaimer: All attempts will be made not post material which may be personal family information which could affect any living family members. Full names will not be used for living family members, but may be used for the Third Generation ancestors and beyond, unless requests are made by family members to myself for their removal. Any such request will be actioned as soon as possible. WordPress.com, or any of its associated organisations, should not be held responsible for the contents of this blog. Any opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, myself. As the author, I reserve the right to edit content/posts/comments, or delete them if their content is deemed inappropriate or unsavoury.
