MATHESON Robert Hilton WW1 Memorial Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 21: Military

The week 21 challenge for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is Military.  I could not believe it when I saw the dates for this challenge.  I had already intended to write a post for this week to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the death of my great-great-uncle Hilton in World War I.  What…

Fletcher Alderwin Brand Anzac Day

ANZAC Day – Fletcher Alderwin Brand

Fletcher Alderwin Brand Today being ANZAC Day, I have decided to honour my great-grandfather, Fletcher Alderwin Brand, who served in World War I.  Today Australia commemorates all the people who have served to allow our country to remain free. Early Years Fletcher was born on 16 December 1881 in Dongara, Western Australia, the seventh of…

Gladys Gwendoline Matheson and Margaret Emily Matheson

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 14: The Maiden Aunt

I think it is wonderful that Week 14 of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge is The Maiden Aunt.  So often these women get forgotten in history as they have no ancestors to research them.  It is lovely to ensure the memory of these women lives on.  The maiden aunt I have chosen to write…

Victorian Man and Lady

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 10: Strong Woman

Probably the strongest woman I have ever known was my grandmother.  However, due to people still alive who may be impacted if I told her full story I have opted to find another woman in my tree. Someone I never knew and who just from the records I have looks like they did it tough….

Swan River Colony, Western Australia 1831

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 9: Where There’s a Will

Coming up with something for the Week 9 – Where There’s a Will, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge was hard.  Do I do a will left by the deceased, someone with will and determination, or someone named Will?  I finally decided on the latter, although he certainly had will and determination as well. Week…

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 7 Valentine Rose

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 7: Valentine

Moving right along to catch up on the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge.  The week 7 challenge is Valentine.  I really struggled to come up with a topic for this challenge.  Do I find the longest marriage?  Do I find the tragic early death of a spouse?  I couldn’t find any “love” letters in…

Convicts, Prison

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 5: In the Census

Moving right along in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge, I am moving on to the Week 5 Challenge – In the Census.  Censuses are a great genealogy tool for the family historian.  They provide a snapshot in time of your ancestors – ages, place of birth, occupation, address, relationships between residents at an…

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 4 Invite to Dinner

52 Ancestors in 52 weeks – Week 4: Invite to Dinner

The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks fourth challenge is “Invite to Dinner.”  choosing who to write about for this one was easy.  For years I searched for my great-great grandmother Henney – this is her story. Week 4 – Invite to Dinner Many years ago I found my great-great-grandfather, Jonah Walker, in the Census.  In…

19430605 Marjorey June Brand on her Wedding Day

52 Ancestors in 52 weeks – Week 3: Longevity

As I still have several weeks to catch up on in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge, I am moving straight onto week 3.  I hope you enjoy reading about my grandma. Week 3 – Longevity This has proven to be a harder task than I thought it would be.  I am sure there…

Skeleton in my closet, Charles Newman

The Skeleton In My Closet – Charles Newman

I expect that everyone has a family member that they are not allowed to talk about.  Whether that person was the black sheep and their name was to never be mentioned.  Or a specific characteristic, event, or action of a person that isn’t allowed to be discussed.  Some stories are kept hush hush and you…