Author Archives: Bruce

The use of DNA in family history has been discussed on the web for many years. I used to read about it on a web site back in the late 1990’s. Admittedly, I did not understand much of the discussion… Continue reading →

Hopefully we are nearing the end of our third lockdown of this Corona-virus epidemic. Anyone remember the smallpox and polio vaccinations… Continue reading →

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 →