52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Ancestral Fathers

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…

1974 Megan enjoying Valentines Park

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…

Fletcher Alderwin Brand and Gladys Gwendoline Matheson Wedding

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 23: 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 I have never ordered their marriage certificate – I…

Richard Matheson I am Legend

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,…

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks So far away distances in Australia

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.  I think for me, being born in England, raised in Australia, having…

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…

1950's-C Mouth of river, Dongara, WA

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….

Toowong Cemetery Rolling Hills

Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane

I don’t know about you but I really enjoy walking around historical cemeteries.  I would think many genealogists do.  I am fortunate that my daughter loves to do this as well but hers more for the creepy aspect of it and the intricacies of the designs on some of the headstones.  My son is not…

Book Reviews

Book Review: How to Get More Family Tree Time

How to Get More Family Tree Time AUTHOR:  Megan Gibson PUBLISHER: Words for You ISBN: 9780980835205 GENRE:  Genealogy, Family History FORMAT: Paperback NUMBER OF PAGES:  115 pages PUBLICATION DATE:  September 2010 The Author Megan Gibson is a freelance researcher who undertook research for the Australian ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ Series.  She is also…

Stokes Family Staffordshire England

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 19: Mothers’ Day

The week 19 challenge in 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks is Mothers’ Day to fit in with this wonderful day where we celebrate our mothers.  My story today is a bittersweet Mothers’ Day story. Week 19 – Mothers’ Day Dorcas Stokes Dorcas Stokes was born on 19 November 1898 in New Invention, Staffordshire, England to…