Shake the tree and nuts fall out!

  Week 22 (May 31-June 6): Military Many of my ancestors served in the military over the years. And there could be lots that I could write about. However, the 3 main that I know about I have previously used. Therefore, I am going to use my step-grandfather, but was 1 the only grandfather I actually met. Stanley Archibald Powell was born 27 th July 1915 in Littleport near Ely, Cambridgeshire, UK. He was the 1 st son, and eldest child of 7 that Lilly May Powell and unknown father had. He died the 27 th September 2010 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Stanley married twice in his life, he apparently had 3 sons with his first wife Mary Agnes ? (but nothing is known on them including names or date’s of birth, meaning this has been hard to locate them) and then he had a daughter with his second wife Doreen, and took on her other two children including my Mum. Stanley’s military dates are unknown, but he was a full time soldier before the start of WWII, of which he was involved with, he...

  Week 21 (May 24-30): At the Cemetery I have to say that of all the grave photos I have linked to my tree there is only a couple that I have taken myself   “at the  cemetery”.  The rest have all been via a request online or are already online.   Robert & Mary Lackey (my 2x great grandparents) gravestone is one that I took myself as is that of Albert E Liddle (1 st cousin 2x removed) and his wife Catherine. Although I haven’t taken many of my own ancestors gravestones “at the cemetery” I have taken loads of other people’s over the years if there has been a request in my area. More recently I have been taking them in “the cemetery” at the bottom of my road. It is a huge place and is spread over 2 pieces of land with a main road in the middle. I’ve done quite  lot but there is much more to do when it’s a nice day. Some people really don’t like being “at the cemetery” due to what they are, however, I have no issues with being there or taking p...

Week 20 (May 17-23): Cousin Bait – Ancestry   I had never heard of the term “cousin bait” before so I had to look it up. From an online search I concluded that “cousin bait” is “to attract research cousins, people that have information on your genealogy and are willing to share it with you.” So from this my initial thought was Ancestry! There are many people who share the same ancestors as me, most of us probably don’t even realise we are related in someway! Ancestry has helped me in the past via the message boards and I have connected with a few cousins, some of whom I am still in contact with. A lovely lady in USA, who is related to me via my 2nd great grandmother Mary Jane Jackson. Mary is her 2 nd great aunt. Mary’s brother is the main link of this lady. I didn’t even know about the said brother (I knew of others but not him). We have swapped information and certificates and helped each other with the trees not on this line. Around the same time as the above a lady had...

  Week 19 (May 10-16): Mother’s Day So many of my ancestors were mothers and without them being mother’s I most likely wouldn’t be here today. So rather than listing out 1 in particular I think I will just put this to all of them. Each and everyone will have had their own stories, good and bad tales to tell and hopefully have been treated well on this day. I’m not sure if its just a modern day thing or not. Many of the mothers back in my tree also had to suffer the loss of their babies as medical care wasn’t as good as it is now. And I’m sur that this would have been hard for them. Being in the UK, mothers day is celebrated in March not in May.

  Week 18 (May 3-9): Crime and Punishment – Joseph Guymer I have found a few people in the tree who fit the “crime and punishment” theme and could be classed as criminals, 1 person that I thought of using has quite a funny story; but I only have limited information on him and his story, so at the moment James Lackey and his stealing of ladies lingerie and selling on has been put on hold. However, the person I am going to use has quite a long list of crimes under his belt! Joseph Guymer is a distant relative of mine (but relative all the same), he is the nephew of the wife of my 1 st cousin 5times removed! Joseph was born in 1839-1840 in Great Wratting, Suffolk, UK. He was the son of David Guymer and Mary Anne (Mariann) Bentley. He was one of 6 children. According to his police record card he was described at white, with black hair and brown eyes and was about 5ft 7 tall. He was a farmer by trade. In 1853 Joseph and his family all moved from Suffolk UK to Australia, they wen...

  Week 17 (Apr. 26-May 2): Favourite Place – Ashness Bridge linked to Mum and Dad When I saw this weeks theme there was no question about where it had to be. One of my “favourite places” is Ashness Bridge near Keswick in the Lake District, UK. However, it does link to two people that were both used last year – My parents Peter William Lackey and Barbara May Haylock! Ashness bridge is a “favourite place” of mine for a couple of reasons. 1. It is a beautiful place no matter the time of the year as the surrounding landscapes is always really nice and changes every time you visit. 2. It was the place me and my sister scattered my parent’s ashes after they died. Even if there are people around you can always find a stone near the bridge to sit on and just think (and cry). Occasionally passing people will ask if you are ok etc, but many just say hello and carry on their way. In 1972 when my parents got married; they spent their honeymoon at the Lodor Falls Hotel, which is about a 10min...

  Week 16 (Apr. 19-25): DNA "DNA" = Does not apply . I have not taken a " DNA" test and nor do I plan to. The reason for this is it will upturn everything I know and have been brought up knowing and researched as my family tree. This is because my “dad” is not my biological dad, but he was there from the day I was conceived as an IVF baby in Harley Street London in 1981. As far as I am concerned I am a Lackey and I have traced his family lineage as well as that of my mums side. I did ask my sister years ago about doing a “ DNA”  test as she is a true Lackey and my dads real daughter, but she isn’t keen on doing one. But there again, she's not bothered about the family history either. I would be interested in doing one to see what it comes up with but as above I can’t link it to the tree and I don’t really want to go down the route of finding a whole new family.