Week Eight - "If you build it, they will come"

To anyone thinking about putting their family tree online and then debating on whether to make it public or private, I want to share with you the hidden benefits of making your tree public.

Years ago I went to a mini family reunion and was overwhelmed with all the bits of new information that I never knew.  Everyone came with photo albums to share and their own bits of family history and stories.  It dawned on me, that everyone else was in the same position that I was – we did not know it all or have access to one another’s photos or stories.

 How could I rectify this? 

Week Seven - Murder Most Foul

Who would have thought that a ghastly murder of an elderly couple in Peover, Cheshire in 1840 would hold a clue on a Thomas Palin that died in New York and a new cousin connection!

In the write-up in the newspaper regarding the murder of elderly Mr. and Mrs. Cook, the authorities questioned nephew Thomas Palin on where he was at the time of the murder.  He was there for a visit the Sunday before with his aunt and uncle and had a lovely dinner and then supposedly went home.  Or did he?

Week Six - Love

There has been a plethora of books written about love and the many stages it evolves through.  The beginning stage – does he, doesn’t he love me – will she, won’t she say yes?  And how many times have you read the story where she or he dies and a short time later the spouse follows.  A perfect example of this is one of my favorites, “The Notebook”. 

I have often wondered if our ancestors felt the euphoria bliss of a budding love.  Was it acceptable in that time to be that fanciful or was that a luxury only felt by the upper class?

So it was a bit of a surprise one day when I found this very, very sad love story in the old newspapers.

Week Five: Help Required

There is nothing more frustrating than a brick wall when researching your family tree.  I am at my wits end and ready to pull out my hair!!!!

Where does James Palin that married Sarah Plant in 1817 fit in the tree?