A fraud of a husband Court appearance throws light on family history
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.
By reading through to the end, however, three distinct lines of inquiry emerge which have a broader impact.
The cutting is from The West London Star, Friday 21st September 1934, under the column heading ‘Police Court News, Monday’ (sourced from British Newspaper Archive/ FindMyPast). » Continue reading “A fraud of a husband Court appearance throws light on family history”
Newspapers ablaze with minor family insights Passing educational references, and an indepth story
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.
The approach has already led to shining some contrasting light on youthful grandparents plus an interesting incident not of any great relevance to the family tree. » Continue reading “Newspapers ablaze with minor family insights Passing educational references, and an indepth story”
More than a musical footnote Joe Gregory, popular accordionist and band leader
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}.
There’s not much on the web about Joe, accordionist and band leader originally from Bush Houses, Tonypandy and a first cousin twice removed, so here’s a start at collating what is out there and adding to it. » Continue reading “More than a musical footnote Joe Gregory, popular accordionist and band leader”
Picturing the moving home front A London to and fro in WW2
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.
Out of London
Being born in 1926, Dad (Arthur) was well into his grammar school life when war broke out and disrupted things. » Continue reading “Picturing the moving home front A London to and fro in WW2”
Rogue elements in Uncle Arthur’s past A marriage that was never mentioned
‘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”
Back on the trail with Bertram Another Scott relation found on military service
A nephew of great granddad Charles Scott made his way to Oz in 1912, returning to Europe with the Australian army a few years later.
On the trail
As highlighted some time ago in ‘A Major breakthrough in the Scott line‘, some of great grandfather Charles Vickery Scott’s siblings have been rather hard to track down. This time, I skipped a generation and looked at why nephew Bertram had disappeared after 1911 {2} – with his mother’s last appearance being his 1890 Seavington baptism record! » Continue reading “Back on the trail with Bertram Another Scott relation found on military service”