Author Archives: Julie Goucher

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About Julie Goucher

Genealogist, Author, Presenter, native Guildfordian, avid note taker and journal writer. Lover of Books, Stationery & History; Surnames, Butcher & Orlando One-Name Studies. Pharos Tutor for all One-Name Studies/surname courses as well as Researching Ancestors from Continental Europe.

G is for Groups and Societies

Posted on April 8, 2025 by Julie Goucher

The range of material that is key to unravelling our family histories is quite astounding. In the modern world with the commercial organisations holding rafts of data it is easy to believe that the material has always been available in … Continue reading →

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F is for Family

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Let me start by asking what is Family? Is the definition that you might find in a dictionary consistent? Has the meaning changed over the years? Has it broadened or As any former student of the One-Name Studies courses knows … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z Challenge | 1 Comment

E is for Europe

Posted on April 5, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Researching European ancestry is many things, from frustrating, saddening, exciting, challenging, and many other emotions. I tutor the Researching Ancestors in Continental Europe course for Pharos Tutors which starts in May 2025.  The course which runs over five weeks is … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z Challenge, A-Z Challenge 2025 | 1 Comment

D is for Directories

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Directories enables us to see a snapshot in time, whether that is a home or a business address. If you look at the image here which shows three directories from Guildford in Surrey, representing 1953, 1955 and 1963. I casually … Continue reading →

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C is for Culture

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Julie Goucher

On the face of it culture might not have relevance to genealogy or family history. Frequently and more important in our ever changing world, things that are central to our heritage fade into the past. Replicated by the passing of … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z Challenge 2025 | 2 Comments

B is for Borders

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Borders  are easy to cross and frequently invisible.  They are consistently impacted by a multitude of factors, with those factors being variable, depending on perception or wider implications. In essence, borders is not a topic for which there is black … Continue reading →

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A is for Alphabet

Posted on April 1, 2025 by Julie Goucher

One of the challenges genealogists encounter is the spelling of names, surnames and places. The challenge rather depends on several things. People write what they think they hear, which is impacted by unfamiliarity of accents, dialects and other languages Challenging the … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z Challenge 2025 | 2 Comments

Announcing A-Z Challenge 2025 #AZChallenge

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Julie Goucher

I frequently teach and present on surnames and researching in Europe, but rather than be specific on either of those topics or others I present on, this year the A-Z theme is going to be focused on: Research considerations Resources … Continue reading →

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Researching in the North East of England

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Yesterday I watched a great series of presentations hosted by the Society of Genealogist in collaboration with the Northumberland and Durham Family History Society. The event was free to attend, and the recording is linked. Firstly, we heard Else Churchill, … Continue reading →

Posted in England, UK & Ireland (Eire) Genealogy Series | Leave a comment

Genealogical Research Before 1538

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Julie Goucher

The introduction of Parish Records in England and Wales began on 5 September 1538. The Vicar General, Thomas Cromwell mandated that clergy were to keep a written record of baptisms, marriages and burials that occurred within their parish. The records … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, History, Medieval Period, Scotland, UK & Ireland (Eire) Genealogy Series | Leave a comment