Category Archives: Genealogy

(Advent 12) – Learning and Reading

Posted on December 12, 2025 by Julie Goucher

The way we each learn is different, I prefer to write notes, so for me I am likely to recall something if I wrote it down having read it or heard it. There is a plethora of genealogical and historical … Continue reading →

Posted in European Ancestors, Genealogy, Introduction to One-Name Studies (Pharos course 901), One-Name Studies | Leave a comment

(Advent 11) – Keeping Track

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Keeping track of our research, successes, next steps and research ideas is really important. Without it, and I speak for myself here, when I say, if it is not written down then all bets are off if I will remember … Continue reading →

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(Advent 9) – Individualistic

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Julie Goucher

I am always amazed at the number of genealogists who are surprised or curious about the concept of One-Name studies.  Broadly speaking, we all have a surname. It might be one we were given at birth, one that was “given” … Continue reading →

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(Advent 8) – Help at Hand

Posted on December 8, 2025 by Julie Goucher

The Genealogical community, both on and offline is in the main a friendly one, where sharing knowledge and ideas for research is given freely and frequently. The internet has shrunk the world to the size of a matchbox, with interactions … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Genealogy, One-Name Studies | Leave a comment

(Advent 7) – Gathering Data

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Any One-Name and surname research project will involve the collection of material, what I refer to as raw data. Regardless of where your surname originated from or where you reside, to undertake a One-Name Study and register this with the … Continue reading →

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(Advent 6) – Family Trees

Posted on December 6, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Family Trees, Pedigree, or lineage – are they the same, different or simply different things to different people? A family tree is something that I produce when I am researching. It is a rough drawing of who sits where in … Continue reading →

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(Advent 5) – Evidence

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Regardless of what research you are undertaking, every separate fact contained within a document should be individually recorded into a database, and subsequently, every fact should be supported by evidence. The evidence documented with the citation, which subsequently can be … Continue reading →

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(Advent 4) – Distribution of Surnames

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Julie Goucher

Surname distribution maps add a new and different dimension to a One-Name study. A surname may well have it’s origins in one Country, and a map can provide an interesting insight to how migration can influence the geographic spread of … Continue reading →

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(Advent 3) – Choosing a Surname

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Julie Goucher

There are always more questions than answers, and always a burning obsession to find out more, even if the odds are against a successful search. Therefore it is no surprise that researchers choose their surnames of interest for a variety … Continue reading →

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(Advent 2) – Back up Data….

Posted on December 2, 2025 by Julie Goucher

On the first of every month I do a series of things, all of which keep me organised and undertaking what I call my office housekeeping. Back-up computer files.  Downloads from talks, other genealogists etc, these are moved to my … Continue reading →

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