Copyright – Julie Goucher 2019

This is the 25th Desk Ramblings post that I have written and it was time for an image change. The use of my childhood Scrabble board in my Family Tree Magazine (UK) articles has been popular so I figured, if it is not broke, why fix it and created the new image.

Back in the summer when we were in the midst of a heatwave, that is a heatwave by British standards – anything over 22 centigrade is too hot for me so I retreated to my office at home and started to catch up on some outstanding genealogical chores; which included digitising a document or two, making sure the information was in my Roots Magic database with correct citations and then adding to the paper to the recycling. I have not managed to do loads, but have made a slow start.

Scanning is brain numbing work. I pondered on all the things I know now that I did not when I started. All the hints and tips that would have made my life easier and drafted out a few blog posts for publishing in the coming days months.

This has been a mixed year. In July, we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, not as we planned though, just earlier that week we went the the funeral of my mother in law, so the celebrations did not seem right. We did though have dinner out, just the two of us where we discussed the feeling of disbelief that 25 years has passed since we both said “I do” One similarity with the death of my own Mum, which occurred just a few months before we celebrated our 20th anniversary. Sometimes things just plan out that way, but what a coincidence.

I ordered a batch of wills from the Probate Service at the end of July. The price reduction from £10 to £1.50 meant that the Government department was rather busy as were the genealogists, who were ordering at speed. My first one arrived within two days, the rest though were about 8 weeks from ordering. Despite the wait, the information on several of the wills caused me to reflect what I already knew and establish what I did not know. The bargain price will remain until July 2020, though I want to get any wills ordered before that, in case the price changes again.

Back in July I was very surprised when I was contacted by the Society of Genealogists in London, asking if I would accept the honour of being the recipient of the Certificate of Recognition. The award was being made

“For exceptional services to genealogy and one-name studies, promoting methodology, aims, processes and strategies” 

I accepted and I await receiving the certificate. You can read about the other recipient in the October 2019 newsletter.

As I said, I was very surprised to receive the email, and deeply touched that someone felt strongly enough to nominate me. I get a great deal of enjoyment from researching my own family history and one-name studies. I also enjoy sharing the knowledge that I have, teaching the Introduction course for One-Name Studies for Pharos Tutors – in fact from 2020 I will also be teaching the Advanced One-Name Studies course and I am currently writing another course which will hopefully be available early 2020. It is not just about research and teaching others. It is also about the friendships you make along the way, and sharing mutual enjoyment. I am not someone who would shout successes from the rooftops, especially when I am actually just being me, but I did want to share this with readers and acknowledge the generosity of the Society of Genealogists – Even though I was touched to receive it, I was sad that my late Mum was not here to hear my news.

Reading the many lists in my notebook I see that I am in the middle of several posts that form part of a series – one about Oral History and the other about Data collection. I shall get those finalised and share them with you. Since 2013 I have written a column for the genealogical magazine, the In-Depth Genealogist. Sadly the magazine ceased publication. quite recently, but that prompted me to review the material I had written for them and I will be sharing that as part of my UK and Ireland Series, which will be new for 2020.

As I was having one last review of the Introduction to One-Name Studies course material, ready to upload today for the November intake, I received an email from a former student. The question was about receiving interaction from others. I dropped the person a response, but whilst I was getting all domesticated in the kitchen preparing for dinner, I came across an idea and when I have caught up on other matters, I will share that information with you.

I am sure there is other news, but I am going to close off here and hope to resume better service in the coming days!