The challenge for this week in 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is Same Name. So often in genealogy you will come up with ancestors who have the same name as their father or mother. Quite often they are then known by another name. Also to confuse matters you will often find numerous children within the same family have the same…
Family Surname History – Brand
Continuing on in my series of Family Surname History, I am moving onto the Brand surname. My maternal grandmother was Marjorey Brand and the name has a long history. Family Surname History – Brand Brand is of German, French, and English originating from the pre-6th Century Anglo-Saxon word “brinnan” which means a flash e.g. flash of lightening.1 There…
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 24: Fathers’ Day
The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge this week is Fathers’ Day to coincide with Fathers’ Day in the UK and USA. The Australian Fathers’ Day does not occur until the first Sunday in September each year. I decided to do something a bit different for this post and have done a representation of all the direct line fathers…
Family History Holiday – Update 3
I realised recently that I hadn’t updated my readers on the progress of our Family History Holiday in a long time. So with about three months left until we leave I will update you on where we are at in our plans. Itinerary I have booked and paid for all our accommodation – we are staying in Airbnb’s the…
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 23: Going to the Chapel
The 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge this week is Going to the Chapel. I have some wedding photos in my collection. However, the ancestors I know were definitely married in a chapel I don’t have photos for. So I have decided to talk about one of the wedding photo’s in my collection. I just realised going through my records…
Family Surname History – Matheson
This series Family Surname History is really interesting as I learn more about my family surnames. Today I am introducing the family surname Matheson. Robert Matheson was my maternal grandmother’s grandfather. Family Surname History – Matheson Matheson has its origins in biblical times with Matthew meaning “Gift of God”.1 It is Hebrew in origin, however, was introduced…
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 22: So Far Away
This weeks 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge is So Far Away. Many people on forums and Facebook groups have been saying how vague this challenge is but I love it. Narrowing down who to write about is the difficult one for me. Having been born in England and raised in Australia, having relatives a long way away has always…
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 21: Military
The week 21 challenge for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is Military. When I saw the challenge for this week, I could not believe how well the dates coincided. 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 a…
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 20: Another Language
To say I have struggled to come up with a topic for this week’s challenge is an understatement! I have procrastinated over it. The week 20, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge is Another Language and the guide for it was “You could write about an ancestor who spoke a different language than you do. You could highlight the first…
Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane
I don’t know about you but I really enjoy walking around historical cemeteries like many genealogists do. I’m fortunate that my daughter loves to do this as well. However she prefers the creepy aspect of it and the intricacies of the designs on the headstones. My son is not so keen on this pastime but we feel that 2 out…