Week Thirteen: Curator and Gardener

Every gardener can tell you a slew of horror stories and a few beautiful stories.  “ I remember the year that storm knocked every plant down that stood more than 4”,  or “Last year my rose bush was so heavy with flowers and the smell was unbelievable.”   I can sympathise with anyone that wonders if they should just let the weeds take over the garden and call it “Going au Natural”.  I bow to anyone that has a perfect garden and my hat goes off to “Master Gardners”.

I was beyond pleased when I found a person in the family tree that was not only a Professional Gardner but had the esteemed position of being in charge of the highly acclaimed Vale Park!

Week Twelve: Call the Midwife

About a year ago I had the opportunity to watch a British TV Show called “Call the Midwife”.  I found it quite fascinating in seeing how the show portrayed midwifery in England.  There was humour and drama and of course a just a hint at a love angle.  I just finished reading the book “Call the Midwife  A Memoir of Birth, Joy and Hard Times” by Jennifer Worth.  The book is based on Jennifer’s memories as a midwife in post war London’s East End.  It was an easy read and a real page turner.  I could not wait to see what would happen next.  (It reminded me of the fabulous James Herriot books – describing the actual job, the co-workers, the local scenery and more importantly the local characters.)

  

 Granted the book was not based in Cheshire where our ancestors are from, but it made me wonder if any of the women in our tree was a midwife.

Week Eleven: Downton Abbey Connection

So we say farewell to Downton Abbey, after 6 seasons it is finally over.  I am not a huge TV watcher so I am not one that would ever go gaga over anything on the tele – but this was an exception.  I did enjoy it for a number of reasons.

Week Ten: The Elusive 100 Club

So I finally knuckled down and approached the 1939 registry.  According to the National Archives website the 1939 Registry was completed on September 29, 1939 to produce up-to-date population statistics and identification cards and, once rationing was introduced in January 1940, to facilitate the issuing of ration cards. Information in the Register was also used to administer conscription, and to monitor and control the movement of the population caused by military mobilization and mass evacuation.

Like any database it does have its glitches, transcribing errors or information that was given wrong and even images that are unreadable.  But I must say I have looked at thousands of images and there has been very few errors or issues with this database!  It has been a real treat to the eyes!

It is unbelievable the holes that are being filled and even the holes I was not aware of. 

Week Nine: Beware the Ides of March

William Shakespeare wrote those infamous words in the play Julius Caesar  Act 1 Scene 2. It is amazing to think that on April 23 2016 it will be 400 years since the day of his death.  And we still go to see his plays today!

I can’t remember the first stage production that I ever went to, but I do know that I was very young.  My grandfather had always bought season subscriptions to The Okeefe Centre in Toronto and I remember one night going dressed in my finest and seeing men in fancy suits and women having their hair piled high on the head and just glittering with diamond tiaras.  I fell in love that night with everything to do with the stage.

So I was tickled pink to find an a gentleman in the family tree that made a name for himself backstage and win many awards for his work!