Category Archives: War

The San Marzano Oliveto war memorial

Posted on July 8, 2019 by

When my 17 year-old great-grandmother emigrated from Italy to America in late 1912, she could hardly have imagined that in less than three years her homeland would take part in the First World War – a conflict which was to … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Genealogy, Italy, Killed In Action, War, World War I | Leave a comment

Looking for Edwin

Posted on January 17, 2018 by

In 2014 I decided to take advantage of my Ancestry.co.uk subscription and expand my research area beyond my own blood-relatives to collateral lines and families who intermarried with my own. By doing so I knew I would probably hit a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911 Census, 1939 UK Register, Adoption, Ancestry.com, Birth, Civil Registration, England, Genealogy, Herefordshire, Illegitimacy, Killed In Action, War, World War I | 1 Comment

Researching Clara Allen

Posted on February 2, 2017 by

Several years ago I learned, thanks to the English census, that my great-great-grandfather John Allen had a younger sister called Clara. For some inexplicable reason, I have always felt an interest in Clara’s story – perhaps because for many years … Continue reading →

Posted in 1851 Census, 1861 Census, 1871 Census, 1881 Census, 1891 Census, 1901 Census, 1911 Census, Birth, Colwall, Death, England, Genealogy, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Illness, War, Women, Work, World War I, World War II | 1 Comment

Remembering Ash Villa

Posted on April 21, 2016 by

There are not many buildings left standing where an ancestor of mine once lived. One of the few exceptions that I know of is a quaint yet ordinary-looking, four-bedroom house called Ash Villa, in Upper Colwall, Herefordshire. Nestled behind the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1851 Census, 1861 Census, 1871 Census, 1881 Census, 1891 Census, 1901 Census, 1911 Census, Adoption, Birmingham, Birth, Colwall, Death, England, Genealogy, Herefordshire, Property, War, Worcestershire, World War I | 6 Comments

Who Do You Think You Are Live! 2016

Posted on April 16, 2016 by

My head is still buzzing with information, my feet occasionally still hurt, and my bank account is a sad sight. Yes, the effects of the annual Who Do You Think You Are! Live trade fair are still fresh in my mind … Continue reading →

Posted in 1939 UK Register, Bigamy, Birmingham, Birth, Colwall, Divorce, Emigration, Famous Genealogy, Genealogy, Herefordshire, Jewish Ancestry, Marriage, The National Archives, United States, Wales, War, Who Do You Think You Are?, Worcestershire, World War I | Leave a comment

Almond John Bratt (1891-1917

Posted on August 9, 2014 by

Almond John Bratt was born in Colwall in early 1891, one of twelve children born to Thomas William Bratt and his wife Margaret. The Bratts, who lived in Lyttelton, Colwall were a working-class family, and in his youth John worked … Continue reading →

Posted in Colwall, Colwall Soldiers, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Death, England, War, World War I | Leave a comment

Walter Booton (1882-1915)

Posted on August 4, 2014 by

Walter Booton was born in Rock, Worcestershire, in the spring of 1882. He was one of four children born to Thomas Booton, of Cleobury Mortimer, and his wife Elizabeth (née Oliver). Walter’s father worked as an agricultural labourer, a profession … Continue reading →

Posted in Colwall, Colwall Soldiers, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, England, Genealogy, Killed In Action, War, Worcestershire, World War I | Leave a comment