The Family History Group

Leader:  John Dogherty - familyhistory@ashbyu3a.co.uk - phone 01530 411148

9th April

Family History Meeting 9th April 2025
Following the general ‘diaspora’ over Christmas and New Year we had a good table of 8 attending, one at remote, and with one prospective member: Jan. Welcome Jan: we hope to see you back as a full member next time!
Adrian is reviewing files revealed during a reorganisation in his study. It is always good to review forgotten files: who knows what you might find!
Sue is working on her FTDNA results and the clusters this has thrown up of persons she was unaware of, and where they fit into her tree. We need to hear more of how this works. Possibly a mini presentation later, Sue?
Mary is looking at a new feature from Ancestry, which throws up errors you might have in your tree.
Elizabeth is still working through her Family Sheets, which provide an overview of each generation.
Eileen, deep into the 16th and 17th centuries, has a very interesting will, written in an ‘antic hand’ which she is working through. Help needed in ‘translating’ it, though, and she will send a copy through online for general discussion
Dora is still deeply involved in the New Zealand side of her family, with a contact there who is proving very helpful.
Ana (remote) later noted that that she has been working on ancestors from the late 19th century and found one who had been jailed in 1903 for ‘obscene language’, alongside other women in clink for begging, drunkenness and ‘refusing to quit’; which might be related to an eviction or just plain obstreperous behaviour! A fascinating glimpse of life at the bottom of society.
The group welcomed Jan, a new retiree who is intending to join the U3A and wanted to see what we in the FH Group did. John then sat with her, and we discussed her needs and where she was currently in her work.
After coffee, the whole group assembled in the lounge to view JD’s PowerPoint presentation which he used at the last Open Day, and discussed what the group would like to do for the next one on May 19th. The team will send suggestions offline for JD to prepare a scenario that they can agree on at the next meeting.

We next meet on May 14th