The will of great aunt Emma Jane Evans nee Scott has emerged out of the ether {1}. This confirmed that cousin Joseph Gregory was indeed its named executor, even if he was described in the probate record as an ironmonger rather than in his more well-known musical role.
On first glance the attached newspaper article, about a fraud allegedly undertaken by William Walters, would seem to be just a background piece to the main family history. William was at one stage married to great aunt Phyl – Phyllis Amelia Scott.
Continue reading A fraud of a husband Court appearance throws light on family history
After some time without, getting access to the British Newspaper Archive – part of a (half price) FindMyPast Pro subscription – raises the dilemma of where to start researching. Perhaps firstly with those individuals in the tree most likely to appear in the news, and then close relatives to see if any notices, in the absence of news items, might add another angle.
Joe Gregory’s name crops up online from time to time, usually as a mention in the history of “the oldest record shop” Spillers Records in Cardiff. An album launch by big name rock band The Pixies at the shop got it (and Joe) page 3 attention in The Guardian (14th September print edition) {1}.
Continue reading More than a musical footnote Joe Gregory, popular accordionist and band leader
The second world war was a time of upheaval for many, and this was particularly true for Cutlock & Co’s family lines. It became obvious when going through a collection of old postcards and photographs that there was a story to be told visually. Mum and Dad’s notes help to stitch them together.
Continue reading Picturing the moving home front A London to and fro in WW2
‘Uncle Arthur’ was known as a “bit of a rogue” in relation to women, according to Dad. There wasn’t anything much to back this up other than he, Arthur William Howes, seemingly didn’t marry until age 50 {1}, and other relations mentioning wandering hands. Although his name came up occasionally, I didn’t form any impression of him as a child, and if we ever visited uncle Arthur and ‘aunt Bill’ in Ipswich I don’t remember it.
Continue reading Rogue elements in Uncle Arthur’s past A marriage that was never mentioned
