In the quiet corners of family lore, where whispered tales mingle with sepia-toned photographs, there exists a story woven through the fabric of time, the life of Rosa Alice Freak, my maternal 2nd great-grandmother. As I embark once again on this journey through her early years, I find myself drawn back not just by the … Continue reading The Life Of Rosa Alice Freak 1877–1965, The Early Years, Revisited.
Maternal
The Life Of, Percy Sidney Willats, 1875-1945, Through Documentation, Part 2.
Welcome back to our exploration of Percy Sidney Willats' extraordinary life, as pieced together through the documents, and records. In Part 1, we delved into the early years of Percy’s life, uncovering the foundational experiences and relationships that shaped his character and ambitions. Now, in Part 2, we move deeper into the narrative, focusing on … Continue reading The Life Of, Percy Sidney Willats, 1875-1945, Through Documentation, Part 2.
Rest In Peace, Doreen June Townsend Nee Willats 1930 – 2023
In the gentle folds of time's embrace,A cherished soul now finds its resting place.Gone from our sight, yet forever in our hearts,Our Mother, our Nan, a beacon, from which love won't depart.Her song danced like petals in the breeze,Kindness flowed, a river through the trees.In every moment, her warmth did reside,A gentle spirit, a constant, … Continue reading Rest In Peace, Doreen June Townsend Nee Willats 1930 – 2023
The Life Of Ann Arter 1847-1894, Through Documentation.
What the next generation will value most. is not what we owned, but the evidence of who we were and the tales of how we lived. In the end, it’s the family stories that are worth the storage.” — Ellen Goodman After so many, many years of searching for the parents of my maternal great, … Continue reading The Life Of Ann Arter 1847-1894, Through Documentation.
The Life Of Alice Southwell 1861-1889 – Part 2.
Welcome back to the life of, Alice Southwell. Before we being let’s have a little recap of her life so far. Or you can read part 1 here.Alice was born at, East Wellow, on Thursday the 19th of December 1861. From the age of 9, Alice worked for her maternal uncle, William Reeves, at the … Continue reading The Life Of Alice Southwell 1861-1889 – Part 2.
Harry Richard Thomas Willats – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 51
I’m sure you may recognise the name, "Harry Richard Thomas Willats," by now, his name has popped up a good few times over my "52 week challenge" and this week I finally get to tell you a little about him. I’m not going to go into the history of the name "Willats" as you can … Continue reading Harry Richard Thomas Willats – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 51
Andrew Porter – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 49
It's funny how as you grow older, your history becomes so much more important. Those small details hold greater meaning and you begin to relate your own life and personality to the ones that came before you. As I have mentioned in other posts, our family have always had a passion and deep love for … Continue reading Andrew Porter – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 49
Alfred Wheeler – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 46
We may all wish, that we came from royalty or some famous hero, but I am pretty happy to say I come from, hard-working humble roots. Ancestors whom worked the land, the mines and helped build our towns or cities, roads etc. This weeks ancestor made a working class, honest living, and that’s just fine … Continue reading Alfred Wheeler – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 46
Harry Herbert Money/Willats – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 45 – Part 1
A while ago, I told you all the story of, one of my favourite ancestors, Eleanor Mary Kirby aka Nellie Montague. Since childhood I’ve had a magical picture of how wonderful Eleanor and her husband's life would have been, how much in love they were, you know one of those unbreakable loves, that no matter … Continue reading Harry Herbert Money/Willats – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 45 – Part 1
Eliza Stockwell – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 44
This weeks ancestor, is truly a tricky one, but very enjoyable to research. I've still not 100% cracked her puzzle but I'm getting close. I'm very lucky to have a photo of her, which unfortunately I can't really share with you as I was given it by a very kind, distant relative Hazel. It's funny … Continue reading Eliza Stockwell – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 44
Isaac Porter – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 38
Our family has always had a love for the ocean, from the calm before the storm, to the waves crashing upon the shore, to the tranquility of the open waters. It’s almost like a pull, a pull from deep within our souls. Just to sit and listen as the ocean waters ripple as it mees … Continue reading Isaac Porter – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 38
Alice Maria Money – 52Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 37
I often talk about those tricky ancestors whom like to play a good old game of hide and seek, well this weeks ancestor is one of them, from different dates of birth to places of birth, and constant name changes, she’s not the easiest to pinpoint. And even though I can’t be 100% certain about … Continue reading Alice Maria Money – 52Ancestors In 52 Weeks – Week 37
Susan Mary Lagden – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 21
Family researching can at times be easy, everything falling into place with out to much trouble. At others times it can leave you pulling your hair out, steam oozing from your ears and your computer heading at full speed towards the window. I have a good few branches of my tree, that leave me feeling … Continue reading Susan Mary Lagden – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 21
Emily Forhead – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks, Week 17
Life, Is it what happens to us ? or is it what we make it? I would like to believe that it’s the latter , but I also believe fate or our already written destiny has a huge role to play. Some peoples lives are one massive advantage, while others, sadly live to work, never … Continue reading Emily Forhead – 52 Ancestors In 52 Weeks, Week 17
Rosa Alice Freak – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
So it’s week 9 of my challenge and I’m sorry to say this week is going to be a little different, in true honesty I’m really struggling with that fact. Up until I have been buying the birth certificates for each child born, which I’m hoping to carry on and do when possible. This week … Continue reading Rosa Alice Freak – 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks
Horace Lennan Willats – 52 Weeks, 52 Ancestors
My boys always say, "Why are you researching your history, it’s the past, live for the future?" While I agree on many levels, I also disagree. My family’s history is extremely important to me, why ? I don’t really know how to answer that, I don’t have the right words to explain it. All I … Continue reading Horace Lennan Willats – 52 Weeks, 52 Ancestors
Elizabeth Grace Porter – 52 Weeks, 52 Ancestors
Elizabeth Grace Porter - Week 5. We all know to well that life is very good at throwing us endless stress, more bad days than good. Life is hard at times, truly hard. We all go through struggles, some days we cope, others we don’t cope as well. Not matter what happens in our lives, … Continue reading Elizabeth Grace Porter – 52 Weeks, 52 Ancestors
John Willats – 52 Weeks, 52 Ancestors.
John Willats - 52 Weeks, 52 Ancestors, Week 3. It wasn’t my intention to write about my 6th great-grandfather this week, I had already written it on my 2nd great-grandmother Estella Rudgely but I’m waiting on happy mail in forms of a few birth certificates, which unfortunately haven’t arrived in time so I’m now going … Continue reading John Willats – 52 Weeks, 52 Ancestors.
Intwined 