Saturday, February 27, 2010

Closing Ceremonies - Winter 2010 Geneabloggers Games

The Medal Ceremonies took place today followed by the Closing Ceremonies of the Winter 2010 Geneablogger Games. It was a gruelling two weeks of blood, sweat and tears for the 51 participants as they worked to be the best that they could be!

This was the first Games that A Twig In My Tree participated in and what a phenominal job (if I do say so myself), winning 1 Bronze Medal, 2 Silver Medals, 1 Gold Medal and 1 Diamond Medal.

Congrulations to all the participants and we will see you all again at the 2012 Geneablogger Games.

Robert Burn Marshall (1871 - 1935) Part 2

Robert Burn Marshall (1871 - 1935) Part 1

When last we left off, my 43 year old grandfather, Robert Burn Marshall, had just become a widower when his wife Maggie (née Weir) passed away on April 13, 1914. I can’t begin to imagine how he was feeling. This was another devastating event after already losing three children.

Fortunately for Robert, he could take solace in the fact that his grandfather (Robert Marshall) and an aunt (Helen Leighton Burnett – née Marshall) lived in Dundee and were able to help him grieve.

Also there to help him grieve was Helen’s very lovely youngest daughter, Eliza Hamilton Burnett. Eliza was 26 years younger than Robert, being only 17 years old at the time and was also his first cousin. If teenage girls in 1914 were anything like they are today, Eliza must have been extremely flattered by the attention paid to her by a good looking older man and I’m sure the thought of him being her cousin didn’t even cross her mind! And I’m sure the grieving widow didn’t mind the attention of such a lovely young lady either.

It wasn't long before their relationship showed results. On December 19, 1915 my aunt Helen was born. It wasn’t until July 23, 1917, however, that Robert finally made an honest woman out of Eliza, probably because she was six months pregnant with their second child. Was it love, guilt or pressure from Eliza’s parents, Helen and John Burnett that made him finally marry her? The romantic in me is going with love, however I’m sure there was a wee bit of pressure from Eliza’s father, the Police Constable!

Robert and Eliza were married for 18 years and had eight children together:

Helen Burnett Marshall, born December 19, 1915, died April 12, 2007
David Hume Marshall, born October 8, 1917, died July 16, 1978
Robert Marshall, born September 20, 1919, died December 1989
Rachel Margaret Marshall, born January 15, 1922, died May 2009
Albert Ferrier Marshall, born November 6, 1924, died November 6, 1926
Norman Wilson Marshall, born May 16, 1929, about 1990
My Auntie Vina (as she is still living, I won’t give her full name and birth date)
Rhona MacDonald Marshall, born February 21, 1933, died September 8, 2003 (my mother)

At the age of 64, Robert suffered from chronic rheumatism of the heart and passed away on September 12, 1935.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Winter Games - Final Progress Report

Well, the games are over and it is time for the final results. Unfortunately, work priorities took a precedence this past week so I didn’t get as much done as I hoped; however, considering these were my first Geneablogger Games, I’m quite pleased with the end results.

Here is my final progress report for the categories I participated in:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

Cited 21 sources in my database. Did not achieve the Gold that I was aiming for, but it has gotten me started.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

2. Back Up Your Data!

Totally wiped out in this field!

Results: Zippo!

3. Organize Your Research!

Task E – Completed 21 data entries in my database. Was aiming for a Diamond and ended up with a Bronze.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal

4. Expand Your Knowledge!

I did fairly well in this category.

Task A - Used Google Maps to map out my great grandfather’s ancestral location.
Task B - Created a timeline for my great grandfather.
Task E - Created a surname visualization.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal, 1 Gold Medal

5. Write, Write, Write!

Task C – Prepared two posts in draft mode and pre-published them (and it actually worked!).
Task D – Wrote a biographical sketch of my maternal grandfather.
Task E - Created two pages on my blog, one listing the surnames I’m researching and one showing awards that I have been given.
Task F - Participated in a 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenge #7.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal, 1 Gold Medal, 1 Diamond Medal

6. Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!

Task A – Commented on several new (to me) genealogy blogs.
Task G – Used the Follow feature on a Blogger-based genealogy blog.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

Total medals earned for these games:

5 Bronze
4 Silver
2 Gold
1 Diamond

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

(Not so) Wordless Wednesday - Orphan Photo #4

In going through a box of pictures that belonged to my mother, I've come across a lot of photos of people I don't know. I believe they might be friends and/or family of my step-father, Douglas Sinclair Kay. I'm posting these in the hope that someone might come across them and be able to identify them.


The older gentleman right in front (turning towards the camera) is my step-grandfather, Adam Sinclair Kay and the older lady straight across from him is my step-grandmother, Clarice Mabel Kay (nee Salmon). I don't know who the other people are.

This must have been taken at Adam & Clarice's house because I recognize that old grandfather clock in the background - we had it in our house all the time I was growing up. By the looks of their age, I'm guessing this was when they lived in St. Lambert, Quebec, but probably before my step-father married my mother so I'm thinking probably in the late 1950's.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tombstone Tuesday - Rhona M. Marshall and Douglas S. Kay


Douglas Sinclair Kay
October 31, 1927 - April 7, 1989

Rhona MacDonald (Marshall) Kay
February 21, 1933 - September 8, 2003

Together Forever

This is my mother's and step-father's gravemarker. The are buried together at Urgel Bourgie Cemetery in St. Hubert, Quebec

Monday, February 22, 2010

Winter Games Progress Report

I've been a little behind in posting my progress report, but that's not to say I haven't done anything. I'm only posting new results to avoid a long post! A complete tally will be posted at the end of the week.

Category #1 - Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

I spent the day on Saturday entering sources (and boy do I have a lot to enter!). I finally completed 20 sources (actually 21!). It's taking me longer than originally anticipated as I'm still learning how to enter them properly.

Results: 1 bronze medal, 1 silver medal.

Category #5 - Write, Write, Write!

Today I attempted to prepare two posts in draft mode and pre-published them for Tuesday and Wednesday. Now let's hope it works!

I also completed Part 1 of a biographical sketch of my grandfather, but I won't count this until Part 2 is complete (hopefully tomorrow).

Results: Added a Gold medal.

Total Medal results to date:
5 Bronze
4 Silver
2 Gold

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Happy Birthday Mom!


Rhona MacDonald Marshall
(married names: Farrell and Kay)
February 21, 1933 - September 8, 2003

Today would have been my mom's 77th birthday. Happy Birthday Mommy.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Robert Burn Marshall (1871 - 1935) Part 1

My grandfather, Robert Burn Marshall, was born on May 23, 1871 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, the only child of David Fenton Marshall and Rachel Wyse Hume. At the time of his birth, his parents were living at No. 1 Montgomery Place West in the District of St. Andrew.[1] David Marshall, at this time, was working as a Stationer’s Apprentice.

It is not known at this time what happened to Rachel after Robert’s birth as no further documentation can be found for her in Scotland. David changed occupations, becoming a commercial traveller (or travelling salesman), and by 1881 Robert, at the age of 9 was living with David’s parents, Robert and Ann Marshall (née Kynoch) in Glenprosen (near Kirrimuir) and attending the school there. The Senior Robert was the schoolmaster.[2] Did Rachel die young (perhaps in childbirth)? Did Rachel and David separate?

Sometime in his early teens, Robert moved to Dundee with his grandparents (Robert and Ann) where Ann died on March 13, 1885,[3] only 1½ months before her daughter, Helen, was to marry.

What he got up to in his late teens is unclear, but there is a record in the 1891 Scotland Census for a Robert Marshall, aged 19 born in Edinburgh as being in the local prison in Dundee.[4] This Robert Marshall worked as a General Labourer. If this is my Robert Marshall, who knows what he got up to, but my guess at this point would be that, being single and 19 years old, he probably had just gotten paid and went and had a good time at the local pub and then had the unfortunate luck to be picked up and thrown in the local jail to sober up – being there on the night that the census was taken. Further investigation has to be done to confirm if this is my Robert Marshall.

On February 26, 1892 Robert married Margaret Roy Weir in Dundee. Robert, aged 20 was working as a Ticket Writer (or sign writer) and Margaret, aged 23 was a Jute worker. They were living in adjacent tenement flats at 41 and 43 Step Row.[5]

This marriage was marred by tragedy. While living at 19 Barrack Street in Dundee, their first child, Rachel Baillie Marshall, was born on November 22, 1892.[6] She was to die a few months later (a death record has yet to be found). On August 17, 1895 a second daughter, Isabella Weir Marshall, was born.[7] Unfortunately, she was only to live a few months and passed away on October 13, 1895.[8]

By 1901 Robert and Maggie were living in Glasgow where they had a son, Robert Wyse Marshall, born on March 1, 1901.[9] According to the 1901 Scotland Census, they were living at 68 McLellan Street in the District of Govan and Robert was working as an Iron Borer.[10]

At this time, Glasgow was a booming industrial city and there were plenty of jobs. Robert probably worked in one of the factories in the area where they lived, possibly at the Maclellan Works just across the road from where they lived. Unfortunately, tragedy was to strike once again when their son passed away on March 12, 1902, just a few days after his 1st birthday.[11]

The couple moved back to Dundee, living at 65 Main Street in the Hilltown district, where Robert became a house painter. It was here that Maggie died at the age of 46 on April 30, 1914.[12]

Stayed tuned for Part 2 as Robert does the “hanky panky” with his cousin!

Footnotes:

[1] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), birth entry for Robert Burn Marshall, 1871, District of St. Andrew, Burgh of Edinburgh; citing Statutory Registers no. 685/02 0490.
[2] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 13 October 2009), 1881 Scotland Census, entry for Robert Marshall (age 9), Glenprosen, Kirrimuir, Page 1; Line 3, citing no. 299/00 017/00 001.
[3] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), death entry for Ann Marshall, 1885 District of St. Andrew, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/04 0319.
[4] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 4 August 2009), 1891 Scotland Census, entry for Robert Marshall (age 19), Dundee, Angus, Dundee Prison, Page 1; Line 16, citing no. 282/02 027/02 001.
[5] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), marriage entry for Robert Burn Marshall – Maggie Weir, 1892, District of St. Peter, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/ 01 0053.
[6] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), birth entry for Rachel Baillie Marshall, 1892 District of St. Clement, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/03 0851.
[7] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), birth entry for Isabella Weir Marshall, 1895 District of St. Clement, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/03 0544.
[8] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), death entry for Isabella Weir Marshall, 1895 District of St. Clement, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/03 0452.
[9] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), birth entry for Robert Wyse Marshall, 1901 District of Plantation, County of Lanarkshire, Glasgow; citing Statutory Registers no. 646/01 0160.
[10] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandsPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 4 August 2009), 1901 Scotland Census, entry for Robert Marshall Household, District of Govan, Lanarkshire, Glasgow, citing no. 646/1L 039/1L 016.
[11] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 31 May 2009), death entry for Robert Wyse Marshall, 1902 District of Plantation, County of Lanarkshire, Glasgow; citing Statutory Registers no. 646/01 0089.
[12] Scotland, “Search the Records,” database, ScotlandPeople (http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk: accessed 26 June 2009), death entry for Margaret Marshall, 1914 District of St. Andrew, Burgh of Dundee; citing Statutory Registers no. 282/04 0415.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

I feel so bad!

I made such a boo boo today. Claudia (Claudia's Genealogy Blog) left me a wonderful comment on yesterday's post. When I went to publish it, I accidentally hit the reject button!!!

I want to sincerely apologize to Claudia - I really didn't mean to do that.

Is there any way to un-reject a comment?

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Winter Games Progress Report #5

With staying up too late last night and after a long day of data entry at work, my brain was a little too fuzzy to work on the bio of my grandfather that I was planning to do, so after watching Faces of America and posting this week's Orphan Photo, I decided to read some new blogs. This prompted me to enter another category - Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness. What a nice way to spend an evening.

Here is my progress report so far for the categories I am participating in:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

Results: No medals here yet, but still anticipating at least a Silver.

2. Back Up Your Data!

Haven't started on this one yet.

Results: No medals yet, but hope to achieve at least a Bronze.

3. Organize Your Research!

Task E - Create at least 20 data entries in your database.
Completed on Feb. 16th.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal (my goal is a Diamond)

4. Expand Your Knowledge!

Task A - Use Google Maps to map out an ancestral location.
Completed on Feb. 13th

Task B - Create a timeline.
Completed on Feb. 16th

Task E - Create a surname visualization.
Completed on Feb. 13th

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal, 1 Gold Medal

5. Write, Write, Write!

Task E - Create a page on your blog listing surnames, ahnentafel reports or other topic.
Completed on Feb. 15th.

Task F - Participate in a 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenge.
Completed on Feb. 15th.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

6. Reach Out & Perform Genealogical Acts of Kindness!

Task A: Comment on a new (to you) genealogy blog
Completed on Feb. 17th. I commented on three new (to me) blogs today during my lunch hour. Hopefully tomorrow I can read some more new blogs and post more comments.

Task G: Use the Follow feature on a Blogger based genealogy blog.
Completed on Feb. 17th

I became a follower of 14 new blogs tonight.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

Totals Medal results to date:

4 Bronze
3 Silver
1 Gold

(Not So) Wordless Wednesday - Orphan Photo #3

In going through a box of pictures that belonged to my mother, I've come across a lot of photos of people I don't know. I believe they might be friends and/or family of my step-father, Douglas Sinclair Kay. I'm posting these in the hope that someone might come across them and be able to identify them.

On the back of this picture is written "Ann, Plymouth Sound, Devon. July 1957". Because this was taken the same month/year and in the same place "Jack" from last week's post, I assuming they are related in some way. Mother and son perhaps? They are even wearing the same type of shoes!

If anyone recognizes this woman, please feel free to contact me.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Winter Games Progress Report #4

As I came home late from work tonight, I didn't get as much done as I hoped. I was hoping to get more sources done, but that didn't pan out.

Here is my progress report so far for the categories I am participating in:

1. Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

So far have only inputted 5 sources.

Results: No medals here yet, but still anticipating at least a Silver.

2. Back Up Your Data!

Haven't started on this one yet.

Results: No medals yet, but hope to achieve at least a Bronze.

3. Organize Your Research!

Task E - Create at least 20 data entries in your database.
Completed on Feb. 16th.

In order to create a timeline, I actually had to enter the information that I had! While I was at it I entered information for three other individuals. Ended up creating 21 data entries.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal (my goal is a Diamond)

4. Expand Your Knowledge!

Task A - Use Google Maps to map out an ancestral location.
Completed on Feb. 13th

Task B - Create a timeline.
Completed on Feb. 16th

Task E - Create a surname visualization.
Completed on Feb. 13th

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal, 1 Gold Medal

5. Write, Write, Write!

Task E - Create a page on your blog listing surnames, ahnentafel reports or other topic.
Completed on Feb. 15th.

Task F - Participate in a 52 Weeks to Better Genealogy Challenge.
Completed on Feb. 15th.

Results: 1 Bronze Medal, 1 Silver Medal

Totals Medal results to date:

3 Bronze
2 Silver
1 Gold

Always The Wanderer!

In keeping with my great grandfather, David Fenton Marshall, I created a chronological timeline. Most of my ancestors tended to stay in one place - not David. He was a travelling salesman in the pharmaceutical business, so he moved around a lot.

Just a little side note to emphasize how important it is to look at all possible scenarios. It got confusing tracking David in 1901 using the census reports. When I first started looking at the census reports back in May of last year, I found two David Marshalls, one listed as "David Marshall" in Dundee living with a wife named Christina, and another as "David F. Marshall" (married) living in Montrose. The birth year and birth place on both census reports coincided with what I already knew about him from his birth record that I already had. However, since the census taken in Montrose specified David with his middle initial (and at this point I assumed (!) that he was still married to his wife, Rachel), I knew that this had to be my David and not the one in Dundee. Boy was I wrong - sort of!

I found David's death record and lo and behold it mentions that he had two wives (hopefully not at the same time!) - 1st wife - Rachel, 2nd wife - Christina. Apparently what happend with the census reports is this: when the census was taken, David was physically in Montrose on business. Back in Dundee, although not physically there, Christina did list him on the census as being the head of the household. Did this happen because Christina filled out the census report herself or did the census taker ask "who lived at that address" and Christina misunderstood assuming the person didn't necessarily have to physically be there? Guess I'll never the answer to that.

Just another quick note: I've lost track of David's 1st wife, and mother of my grandfather, after my grandfather's birth in 1871. I can't find any record at the moment of her anywhere. Needless to say, she is a brickwall that needs further research.

Back to the main point of this post. Using Legacy's Chronology feature, I created a timeline from David's birth to his death. Because of all his travells it's three pages! This is the first time I've used this feature in Legacy and I'm quite impressed (with Legacy and myself!). Below is a screen shot of the first page. This is definately a feature that I am going to make regular use of in the future.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Winter Games Progress Report #2 and #3

Progress Report #2

I didn't get my progress report posted last night as it got to be too late. Most of the day was a washout! Well not really. I entered a lot of information in my database that my Aunt sent me before Christmas in order to send Family Group sheets to a couple of cousins to see if they can help fill in blanks on their immediate family. When I finished that I began working on entering my sources for the category "Go Back and Cite Your Sources!". Unfortunately, I didn't get as many done as I hoped - only 5.

Progress Report #3

Tonight I worked on the category "Write, Write, Write!" I managed to complete two of the tasks for this category:

Task E: In order to "clean up" my blog a little and make it less crowded, I created two pages at the top of the blog (under my heading). In one I have listed all the surnames that I am currently researching. The other is for all the wonderful awards that I have received. I plan to expand on this feature to include Ahnentafel reports (as soon as I get them done) and an "About Me" or "About This Blog" page.

Task F: Participate in a 52 Weeks To Better Genealogy Challenge. This challenge was fun. Once again I got to play around with Google Maps. On the weekend I created a Timeline for my great grandfather and tonight I used the street view to locate the actual houses where he lived. You can read about that here.

Medal standings so far are:

Category 1) Go Back and Cite Your Sources!: 1/2 a Bronze Medal (ha! ha!)
Category 4) Expand Your Knowledge: Silver Medal
Category 5) Write, Write, Write!: Silver Medal

52 Weeks To Better Genealogy – Challenge #7

This weeks challenge for the 52 Weeks To Better Genealogy by Amy Coffin is to play around with Google Maps to determine the locations of addresses in our family history. I've used this feature before to locate places where my mother and her family lived in Scotland, before she immigrated to Canada. Unfortunately, the pictures that I saved are on my computer at work!

However, this past weekend, while working on the GB Games category, " Expand Your Knowledge", I used Google Maps to create a timeline, with a map, for my great grandfather, David Fenton Marshall. You can see the map here. While I was creating the timeline, I again used the street view to see if the buildings where he lived still existed (that's why it took me so long to create the timeline - I get so distracted when playing with things). For the most part they did, but in some instances the address no longer existed or the building was now being used as something completely differenct. In a couple of cases, there was only and empty lot. Because of his many locations (he was a travelling salesman), I'm only posting pictures of a few of the buildings.

This first picture is where he was living in April 1861. He was living with his aunt, Margaret Kynock and her family at 19 MacDowall Road, Edingburgh, Scotland. If this is the original building, which it looks like it might be, it was a really nice house! They lived where the white door is on the right hand side of the picture.


This next picture shows the general location of where he lived in August 1870, at the time of his marriage to Rachel Wyse Hume. He lived at 11 East Adam Street, Edinburgh. Unfortunately, the address no longer exists.


In May of 1871 he and Rachel were living at No. 1 Montgomery Place West, Edinburgh. It is shown in this picture where the yellow door is with the sign reading "Harlies". It looks to be all closed up now, but looks like it used to be a TV/video game store.


Skipping ahead a few years, he and his second wife, Christina Lynton, were living at 17 Caldrum Street in Dundee (where the white door is). This was were he lived at the time of his death in 1922.


Just for a little extra fun, I decided to see if I could find the house where my parents lived when I was born. Sure enough, I found it. I was surprised because the last time I checked Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan still did not have the street view available. We lived at 732 9th Ave., NW, Moose Jaw (it's the house on the corner). That is where we lived when my sister got hit by a car when she was 5 yrs. old. Right up until the last time I was there, in 2005, the house was always a greenish blue colour. The little white house next door is where my Aunt Nell (Helen Crossman, nee Marshall) lived.


I also found the house where I'm living now (for obvious reasons I won't give the address). It's a duplex. I didn't see my car parked on the street so this must have been taken while I was at work.


I enjoy working with Google Maps. I think it's a wonderful tool to be used for locating ancestral homes, creating timelines and I'm sure a whole lot more. There are many features that I haven't yet explored but plan to in the near future.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Winter Games Progress Report #1

Today I worked on the category "Expand Your Knowledge". I created a Surname cloud, which was a new experience for me.

I also mapped out a timeline for my great grandfather, David Fenton Marshall, using Google Maps. This was quite a chore with him travelling a lot. I've used Google Maps before, but not to this extend.

All in all, I think it was a productive day. My medal standings so far are:

Expand Your Knowledge: Silver Medal

A Mapped Timeline for David Fenton Marshall (1847 - 1922)

I spent the better part of 3 hrs. playing in Google Maps creating a timeline for my great grandfather, David Fenton Marshall. It took awhile to do because 1) he was a travelling salesman so he moved around alot and 2) a lot of the places no longer exist (or they've been renamed). I was also using the street view (which I love), to get a closer look at the houses, which I've saved to post at a later date.

I wanted to embed the link in this post but it kept causing problems and shutting blogger down. Besides, it wouldn't show all the locations at once. So I saved two screen shots to show.

This first one shows just the map of all the locations where my great grandfather lived.


This second shot shows both the map and a list of the locations (minus the last one as it got cut off!)

Creating a Surname Cloud

Using Word It Out, I entered most of the surnames that I am researching and created a Surname Cloud. I initially wanted to try Wordle, but couldn't get it to work because I apparently don't have JAVA on my computer.

Not having JAVA caused a little bit of a problem trying to embed the cloud as html, however I was able to do a screen shot and copy it to the paint program and then, after fixing it up a bit, saved it as a jpeg.

This is the end result. Not too bad in my opinion.

Let The Games Begin!

The Winter 2010 GeneaBloggers Games have begun. This will be my first time entering the Games and I hope to achieve at least a couple of Bronze medals if not Silver. Maybe I can be the first Canadian to win Gold in Canada (or maybe I can leave that to the Hockey Team!).

The Flag that I will be carrying represents my heritage. The Canadian Flag is because I am Canadian – born and raised. Most of my ancestors hail from Scotland (with a few trickling over to England) and Northern Ireland so I have chosen the Flag of the United Kingdom to represent them. I also chose the Flag of Ireland because, although my paternal grandfather’s family is from N. Ireland, it is my wish to one day visit the whole of Ireland.

The Categories that I will be entering are:

· Go Back and Cite Your Sources!

I’ve never been very good at citing sources (not that I don’t have them). When I transferred everything over from FTM 2008 to Legacy, the few sources I had entered were completely messed up. I have since purchased Evidence Explained, and with the help of this book, I am now prepared to enter all my sources – properly.

· Back Up Your Data!

With the experience I had a few years ago, both at home and at work, you would think that backing up my data would be something that I would do on a regular basis. Unfortunately, it’s not! By entering this category, I hope to make backing up my data a regular thing.

· Organize Your Research!

For the most part my hard copies are filed in a semi-organized way in file folders and I can usually find what I’m looking for; however, I do need to improve on this. My digital files are another matter altogether. I have a lot of work to do on those.

· Expand Your Knowledge!

Since I like to play with things, I should be able to complete at least two of the tasks: using Google Maps to map out an ancestral location and Wordle to create a surname visualization.

· Write, Write, Write!

I’m not a writer – never have been! I hope that by entering this category I can improve on this.

So, wish me luck and Let The Games Begin!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

(Not so) Wordless Wednesday - Orphan Photos (#2)

In going through a box of pictures that belonged to my mother, I've come across a lot of photos of people I don't know. I believe they might be friends and/or family of my step-father, Douglas Sinclair Kay. I'm posting these in the hope that someone might come across them and be able to identify them.



On the back of this picture is written " Jack, Plymouth Sound, Devon. July 1957". He sort of looks like one of my step-father's cousins, but I'm not sure as the only one of his cousins that I remember ever meeting was named Gale.

If anyone recognizes this gentlemen, please feel free to contact me.

Tombstone Tuesday - Ross Farrell (1939 - 1939)


In Loving Memory Of
Dear Little Ross
Daughter of J & D Farrell
Died 16/10/39
Aged 5 Months

Ross Farrell was the first child of my great uncle James Farrell and his wife Dulcie Maude McNamara. She died on October 16, 1939 at the tender age of 5 months.

She spent 4 days in the Burnside Private Hospital in Coonabarabran, NSW, the cause of death being listed as cellulitis of the face. She was buried the same day that she died and was laid to rest in the Presbyterian Cemetery (now called the General Cemetery) in Coonabarabran.

I obtained this photo through the Australian Cemeteries Index and was given permission to poste to this blog.