Category Archives: European Ancestors

Maps as a Visual Addition to a One-Name Study & Genealogy

Posted on May 27, 2020 by

It is obvious that a map is a visual aid to research, but yesterday I was sitting thinking, as you do and reached for this map of the parishes within Surrey – the map is from the West Surrey Family … Continue reading →

Posted in Butcher One-Name Study, Genealogy, Ockley, One-Name Studies, Pharos - Introduction to One-Name Studies course, Pharos - Practicalities of a One-Name Studies Course, Surname Distribution Maps | Leave a comment

European Ancestors – Researching Italian Roots

Posted on May 7, 2020 by

I won’t pretend researching Italian and Sicilian ancestry is easy. It isn’t, but if you do your ground work in much the same way as you build a house, from solid foundations you will be off to a good start. … Continue reading →

Posted in European Ancestors, Genealogy, Italy | 2 Comments

European Ancestors – Andorra

Posted on April 30, 2020 by

Andorra is a tiny country within the Continent of Europe, located in western Europe and sharing borders with Spain and France. The official language spoken is Catalan, but also Spanish, French and Portuguese is spoken. The country is not within … Continue reading →

Posted in Andorra, European Ancestors, Genealogy | Leave a comment

A-Z Challenge 2020 – Specialised Studies O is for Occupation

Posted on April 17, 2020 by

The Channel Islands were during the Second World War, occupied by the Nazis and the lives of the Islanders changed perhaps for ever. It of course, was not just the Islanders, whose lives were irrevocably changed, but those too of … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Z Challenge 2020 - Specialised Studies, Channel Islands, Jersey - Channel Islands, One-Place Studies, Oral History Series, Specialised Studies | Leave a comment

European Ancestors – Romani,Travellers & Gypsy’s

Posted on April 11, 2020 by

The flag shown here is the flag of the Romani people. It was approved by the representatives of various Romani communities at the first World Romani Congress, held in Orpington, Kent, England in 1971. Two distinct groups of Ethnics, that … Continue reading →

Posted in European Ancestors, Roma/Gypsies | Leave a comment

European Ancestors – Romanian Research

Posted on April 7, 2020 by

At the point of the outbreak of the Second World War, in 1939, there were approximately 750,000 individuals who were of the Jewish faith. Yet fewer than half survived the war, despite the fact the Germany did not occupy the … Continue reading →

Posted in European Ancestors, Holocaust & Jewish Research, Romania | 2 Comments

Naming Patterns

Posted on April 5, 2020 by

Naming patterns across Europe tend to following this pattern. In England this happens less though. It is however common for parents to name offspring after themselves. 1st son – after the paternal Grandfather 2nd son – after the maternal Grandfather … Continue reading →

Posted in European Ancestors, Genealogy, Given Names & Naming Patterns, Naming Patterns & Given Names | 2 Comments

Italian First World War Dead – #GOONSblogchallenge – Post 3

Posted on January 30, 2020 by

Italy’s involvement in the First World war was nothing short of disastrous. In 1915, knowing that Italy was keen to expand its geographical area Britain promised Italy that upon defeat of the Austro-Hungarian empire there would receive territorial rewards if … Continue reading →

Posted in #GuildBlogChallenge, First World War (WWI), Genealogy, Italy, Vircigilo | 1 Comment

European Ancestors – Russia (Russian Federation)

Posted on January 23, 2020 by

Russia is the largest country in the world covering an amazing 1/8th of the world’s land mass that is inhabited, with a population of in excess of 150 million. The country spans 9, yes, 9 time zones, linking Eastern European … Continue reading →

Posted in European Ancestors, Russia, Soviet Union (USSR) | Leave a comment

Book Review – Son of Mine by Peter Papathanasiou

Posted on September 28, 2019 by

In this beautifully written memoir Peter Papathanasiou tells the story of two lives: his own, and that of his mother. From a starting point in modern Australia, the book reaches back to the period after the Second World War, focusing … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Books, European Ancestors, Genealogy, Who Do You Think You Are? (WDYTYA?) Magazine | Leave a comment