Written by Nikki-ann on Sunday, 13 January , 2008 at 8:22 pm
I’ve treated myself to a mini photo studio. It includes a lighting tent (40cm x 40cm x 40cm), 4 colour backgrounds (white, black, red & blue), lights and stands. The tent folds into a carry case and everything else fits in the pockets on the front. It’s only small, but it’ll do the job I want it to do.
When I got it out of the box the day it arrived Leo (the cat) had other ideas. I think he thought it was a cat tent because he marched straight up and sat in it. It’s just the right size for him too! Unfortunately, my camera wasn’t too hand at the time.
So this afternoon I did a bit of product photography.
(Click on the thumbnails to enlarge)
The pewter pig belonged to my Great Auntie Polly. It was used for carrying matches and it has a bit on its base to strike the matches. Unfortunately, it’s missing its tail and ring through its nose.
The lepricorn ornament belongs to Mum and the 3 medals belonged to Granddad Charlie.
Category: Family History, Photography
Written by Nikki-ann on Wednesday, 9 January , 2008 at 11:36 pm
January usually sees the return of Jack Bauer and ‘24′ on our TVs (well on my TV, anyway!). Unfortunately, Kiefer Sutherland is currently sat in jail and the 7th season of ‘24′ is on hold indefinately due to the writers strike. Filming hasn’t finished on the series and the season needs to air uninterupted due to its format, so it looks like we’ve got a bit of a wait for this one. I have seen a trailer for the forthcoming season and it looks great, so I’m sure it will be worth the wait.
Another show I’m looking forward to is Torchwood season 2, starting 16th January on BBC2. The first episode of the season not only stars the wonderful John Barrowman (obviously!), but it also stars another favourite of mine, James Marsters as Captain John Hart. Videos (including spoilers - so BEWARE!) can be found over at the Episodes section of the website - Link.
Talking of John Barrowman… His autobiography (so far!) Anything Goes (written with his sister) is released on 24th January (UK) and in April (US). Yet another book for me to add to my growing pile, but one I’m sure I’ll enjoy. John will also be doing book signings… and I am very tempted! The book will also be available as an abridged audiobook.
Everybody Loves Raymond is currently in my DVD player. I finished season 7 last night and will probably start season 8 at the weekend. I have yet to buy season 9 though, so I guess I’d better hurry up on that score!
I couldn’t help myself last weekend while passing through WH Smith. They had a sale on DVDs, so I couldn’t resist taking a look… and buying 4 DVDs (including In Pursuit of Happyness)! I had a bargain though. The DVDs cost me £19 in total, with one of them only costing £1. I also found a bargain in Woolworths. I managed to buy Take That’s official 2008 calendar for £2.49 - Definiately a bargain!
Category: Movies, Books, TV
Written by Nikki-ann on Tuesday, 1 January , 2008 at 4:43 pm
The Ancestry Aid website has just been relaunched!
If you haven’t heard of Ancestry Aid then you’re missing out. It’s a genealogy community that is free to use and has a wonderful community. Everyone is friendly and willing to help others break down those genealogy brick walls. It is geared towards those researching their British family history, but has members from all corners of the world. I have been a member for some time now and recommend anyone who’s interested in genealogy and family history to come and have a look around.
I look forward to seeing you there!
Website: www.ancestryaid.co.uk
Category: Family History, Recommended Links
Written by Nikki-ann on Monday, 31 December , 2007 at 10:21 pm
Category: Uncategorized
Written by Nikki-ann on Friday, 28 December , 2007 at 5:14 pm
2007 is just about done, so I guess it’s time for my review of the year.
I think I’ve done well on the family history front this year. I discovered a couple of forgotten family bibles in the bookshelves, giving me a whole generation of birth, marriage and death dates. I found information on a great uncle who nobody seemed to have heard of - He was dead by the age of 20 and spent his last years in a lunatic asylum, poor soul. I also met up a long lost cousin and his wife (found through Genes Reunited) and discovered one or two more distant relations. I discovered I had a rare marriage certificate in my possession (the bride & groom, their fathers and the 3 witnesses all shared the same surname) and it was published in the Family Tree Magazine. I also discovered my Great Great Uncle served in the British Army by finding some military records on Ancestry, when previously I’d only got 1 reference to him in the 1871 census.
This year I ventured abroad for the first time since 2001. Dad & I went on a World War 1 battlefields trip to Northern France and Belgium.
We stayed in Tournai (Belgium), spending some time in the Ypres area visiting the city as well as Tyne Cot Cemetery, Hill 62 and Santuary Wood, Hooge Crater, The Yorkshire Trench near Boezinge, Poperinghe with its 2 death cells, execution pole and military cemetery, and Menin Gate for the Last Post.
We also spent some time in the Somme area (France) visting Historial de la Grande Guerre (The Museum of the Great War) in Péronne, Guillemont Road Cemetery, Delville Wood, Lochnagar Crater, Sunker Lane and the memorial to the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Newfoundland Memorial Park and Thiepval Memorial to the Missing.
It was a very interesting and informative trip, and we were blessed with beautiful weather.
As usual, I attended a few gigs. I saw James Marsters at Rich Mix and Union Chapel in London, Anthony Head in Milton Keynes and Take That in Birmingham. I should have seen James Marsters in Cardiff too, but the floods prevented me from going anywhere that weekend in July!
I also went to 2 or 3 motorsport events this year. I saw the DTM and Superside at Brands Hatch in Kent (Mika Hakkinen nearly ran me over with his scooter that day!). I couldn’t afford to go to the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, so I went to watch the Big F1 Test instead (not as good as watching racing, but it was still great to see the F1 cars blasting around the track). I also went to the Charity Open Day at the Honda Racing F1 Headquarters in Brackley. While there I met F1 driver Antony Davidson and commentating legend Murray Walker - another great weekend.
Work has been very busy this year, especially the 2nd half of it. A colleague was on sick-leave for a couple of months and I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed before! So, I was ever so glad when the time came for my Christmas break!
Christmas was a quiet one this year. Nan didn’t feel up to coming over for Christmas Day, so Mum, Dad & I went over to my grandparents for Sunday lunch and spent Sunday with them instead.
Christmas morning was spent giving and opening presents. Dad & I surprised Mum with a fairy statue/bird bath from us both and I surprised them both with giftbags of goodies - a book about Passendaele and a bottle of whiskey for Dad and a silk scarf, purfume and kitchen bits for Mum. I received a subscription to the Family Tree Magazine, a few books (including Cheshire’s Execution Files by Derek Yarwood, Michael Palin’s New Europe and On The Edge by Richard Hammond), a calendar, money, a gift voucher and some other bits & bobs.
My brother joined us later on in the morning and stopped for Christmas dinner (the best meal of the year!), but my sister-in-law had to work as she’s a carer. The evening was spent relaxing in front of the TV. This year I watched a new-ish Christmas film - The Polar Express - a wonderful animated movie.
Boxing Day was quiet too. More TV and another roast dinner to finnish off the turkey!
I haven’t done as much as I wanted to do with my time off work so far. The weather has been so miserable! Before I go back to work I’m hoping to go over to Melton to visit my friend Lisa (and deliver presents) and make a trip up to Caernarfon. I also want to get out and take more photos, so I’m watching the weater forcast carefully.
Category: Music, Life, Christmas
Written by Nikki-ann on Monday, 24 December , 2007 at 7:47 pm
‘Tis Christmas Eve and all is quiet… Well, all apart from the TV! I have ‘Blackadder’s Christmas Carol’ on at the moment. We’re having a quiet Christmas this year. My grandparents usually spend Christmas Day with us, but Nan isn’t well enough to travel at the moment. However, my brother will be spending the day with us as my sister-in-law has to work (she’s a carer). A quiet day it may be, but no doubt we will be full of delicious food and drink and will spending Boxing Day recovering (especially me as I’ll be eating all the things I’m not supposed to!).
I hope you’re tracking Santa this evening. Santa was in Pinsk, Belarus when I checked at 7.25pm. In a few more hours he’ll be here in Mid Wales, so I’d better get my Christmas stocking hung on my bedroom door knob (as is our family tradition) ready for me to trip over in the morning!
This time tomorrow it’ll all be over. But in the mean time, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, eat lots and be very merry!
Nadolig Llawen!
Category: Christmas
Written by Nikki-ann on Monday, 24 December , 2007 at 2:45 pm
Remember that anonymous gift card I received a week or so ago? Well, all has been revealed! I was talking with Nan this afternoon when she asked me if I had received a blank card in the mail. I told her I had and that it contained a gift card. She enlightened me. The gift card is from a friend of my grandparents! It was a “Thank You” for the hand-me-down clothes I’ve passed on to her daughter. Now I know who to thank!
Category: Christmas
Written by Nikki-ann on Monday, 17 December , 2007 at 9:14 pm
Miriam at AnceStories has started a meme called “Where Were You During the Censuses?”, so I thought I’d join in.
So far, I have appeared in 3 censuses - 1981, 1991 and 2001 - and I hope to be in a few more! I was in the same village but in a different house for each of the censuses. In fact, I can see the roof tops of the other 2 houses from my window - one to the left and the other to the right. I haven’t a clue what details were put down for me in the censuses (apart from the obvious details) and I’m not likely to find out due to the 100 year rule.
Randy from Genea-Musings has added another challenge to the meme - “Who is your ancestor that appears the most often in Census records?”
I believe my ancestor who appears the most often in Census records is my Great Grandfather Alfred.
Alfred first appears in the 1851 England census aged 2, living in Ash Magna, Shropshire with his parents Francis (a Mole-Catcher) & Margaret, and brothers George, John, Thomas and William.
He next appears in the 1861 England census aged 12. Alfred is still living in Ash with his mother (an Agricultural Labourer’s widnow) and 2 of his older brothers - Francis (an Agricultural Labourer) & John (a Farm Servant). Alfred is also a Farm Servant.
In the 1871 England census Alfred is living in the parish of Adderley in Shropshire. Alfred is now a 22 year old Agricultural Labourer and married to Martha. They have a 3 month old daughter, Margaret. They live next door to a family which has not 1, not 2, but 3 Ellens!
Alfred appears in the 1881 England census twice! Firstly, he is shown age 33 with his wife and 3 children (Mary, Thomas and Henry), living in Wigland, Cheshire. Still an Agricultural Labourer. Alfred is also shown as a visitor in his brother’s household in Audlem, along with daughter Margaret. Alfred’s brother Thomas is shown as a farmer of 12 acres and is married to Mary.
In the 1891 England census Alfred is aged 44 and still living in Wigland. Alfred and Martha now have 4 children living in the household - Martha, Frank, Maud and May. Alfred is now listed as a General Labourer.
In the 1901 England census Alfred is still living in Wigland, but how has a new wife - Mary. 4 children are living in the household - May, Mabel (both from Alfred’s first marriage), Sarah (listed as a daughter, but is actually a step-daughter) and John. Alfred is again listed as an Agricultural Labourer. Alfred’s son Henry (now aged 23) lives next door with his wife, 2 daughters and his mother-in-law.
Censuses after 1901 are protected under the 100 years rule. However, I believe Alfred and family would have still been living in Wigland for the 1911 census and most probably for the 1921 census too, but by 1931 Alfred was living in Montgomeryshire, Wales. He didn’t make it for the 1941 census, but then there was no 1941 census due to the war.
I am eagerly awaiting the 1911 census (as are many UK family historians!).
Category: Family History, Memes
Written by Nikki-ann on Sunday, 16 December , 2007 at 3:33 pm
… Hopefully!
The other day I received a Virgin Megastores gift card in the mail, but it doesn’t say who it’s from! The handwriting doesn’t give it away as I don’t recognise it. The postmark is local, but there’s also a 2nd postcard hidden underneath that I can’t read. Whoever it is from spells my name wrong (but that could be any number of people!). I would love to know who sent me the gift card so I can say thank you.
Shortly after writing my last post I received a message from Russell Ash, the author of Potty, Fartwell and Knob: From Luke Warm to Minty Badger - Extraordinary But True Names of British People (click the link to read more about the book). If you’ve got a silly name (or know of somebody with one), why not visit Russell’s website and let him know… you may even make it into a future edition of Potty, Fartwell and Knob! I haven’t yet bought the book because I’m waiting to see what I get for Christmas, but if it’s not under the Christmas tree I’ll be buying it myself.
Another book I have my eye on is Cheshire’s Execution Files by Derek Yarwood. I had a quick flick through it in WHSmith yesterday and it looks quite interesting. I have relations and ancestors from Cheshire, not that I think any of them were executed, but Cheshire did have it’s own unique way of executing condemed criminals.
Now for a couple of recommended links. I recommend these 2 websites every year, but I think they’re great for kids and anyone who believes!
Santa Claus Live - This website gives a live web video of Santa Claus in his office on the Arctic Circle. If you log on to the website at the right time you can catch children visiting Santa and giving him their wishlists. There is also a live web video situated outside of the office for you to view.
NORAD Tracks Santa - NORAD have tracked Santa on Christmas Eve for years. This year you can track Santa using Google Earth
Category: Books, Christmas, Recommended Links
Written by Nikki-ann on Friday, 30 November , 2007 at 11:21 am
While looking for Christmas presents for various friends and family members, I have come across this book that looks to be a must-read.
Potty, Fartwell and Knob: From Luke Warm to Minty Badger - Extra Ordinary But True Names of British People
It’s written by Russell Ash. He’s trawled through 900 years worth of parish registers and census records to present us with quite unlikely but true British names (you have to feel sorry for some of these people!). Each name has been checked for authenticity and it’s source is given, including extra notes where further fascinating illumination is possible.
It was published in hardback format (256 pages) on 14th November.
ISBN: 9780755316540
Category: Family History, Books, Carnival of Genealogy
