Author Archives: Bruce

About mid-May I woke up with the ‘heebie-jeebies’, shakes, shivers or tremors and it was not a nice feeling. There was no pain so I did not know what to think… Continue reading →

More thoughts on Family History.  When I began researching my wife’s family history it seemed like a good idea at the time.  We found less than two hundred and fifty names living around the world.   I had completed the immediate … Continue reading →

Making a change: Lockdown !!  Lockdown !!!  LOCKDOWN !!!! Hopefully we are nearing the end of our third lockdown of this Corona-virus epidemic.   Anyone remember the smallpox and polio vaccinations carried out for the same purpose –  to save your … Continue reading →

Notes on the Will of Rebecca RAYNER (1829-1800) Rebecca was the widow of Joseph RAYNER (1727-1787) and after his death remained on at the farm and did not remarry.   She wrote her Will on the 18 September 1792 and added … Continue reading →

Last Will and Blog write-up of 2020 Here is my third deciphered RAYNER Will of five available from years ago.   I decided that I could only work on what I hold at the moment so it is taking the easier … Continue reading →

Some of you of a certain age group will remember far back into the dark post war period of 1947 when a French couturier came up with a clothes design which was immediately christened ‘the New Look’.  Everyone thought it … Continue reading →

After my last few words on old family history research which referred to Wills made in the days of the quill pen, I have been able to ‘decipher’ a Will of 1743, made by Joseph RAYNER the Elder.  (1667-1747). Now … Continue reading →

In my last little write-up I spoke of the problems you can encounter when you research your family tree.  The worst search result of course is the “dead-end”.   This is when there is no apparent course to follow to get … Continue reading →

For quite a number of years now, getting to investigate your family history has become the fastest growing pastime. But for anyone over 60 years of age, what did you know about your family and close relations as a youngster? … Continue reading →