I been giving a new talk this year called “More than just names on a page” and it was interesting when compiling this to discover all the sources that you can use to build up a picture of our ancestor’s day to day lives. This would be using things such as census records, newspapers, trade directories and other various sources which are readily at our fingertips if you know where to look.
Not all the information that you need is online. Some are tucked away in obscure archives or other family members may have them, such as family bibles and other documents. I have a copy of my grandmother’s passport which I treasure as it tells a lot about her and has her photograph in. I have also been given a wooden plane that my great grandfather made as an apprentice in the 1880’s which I treasure. To everyone else it probably appears to be a block of wood, but he stamped his name in it, and he has held it is his hands so to a family historian, this object is priceless.
So, before you start on your family history journey it is suggested that you interview relatives. This needs to be done with gentle persuasion and care. They may have a secret that they do not wish to share, or they may be scared that you may find one they weren’t expecting. However, please tread carefully. It is however a great way to find things out.
From talking to relatives I found out my grandad had a nickname which all the family called him and I would not have known this. I have also been given love letters from my grandfather to my grandmother which make beautiful reading and gives a picture of places they visited and talks about family members and friends. So, if you think family history is just names on a page then think again, as you never know what you will discover when you start. What will you uncover when you start your family history journey.
