Official Launch of The In Memory of Quilt

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Julie Goucher

We have just had the first bank holiday since Christmas and the New Year here in England. Since December much has happened; it has been quite an emotional roller coaster.

Today though, regardless of being Easter Monday marks a special day in our family calendar. It is the day that my beloved Grandmother passed away in 1995, aged 82 years, having been a widow since 1974.

It therefore seems fitting that the launch of The In Memory of Quilt should happen on the anniversary of the day that we lost my Grandmother.

Two incredibly amazing women who were without question tremendously influential in my life. They are missed each day, more than they or I ever thought possible.

So what is this all about? 

Please hop over to the official site making sure you read the various tabs at the top of the page as that will explain more, the background, the ideas and how to take part.
As the project progresses, all the details about the quilt, and the squares will appear on the official site. I will also share other updates related to the project there.

Please share the project with friend and family. Sadly death is a fact of life and we have all lost someone we love. What a wonderful way to share their story.

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More Easter Memories

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Julie Goucher

In my kitchen breakfast room there hangs, on some beams a series of mugs & cups. Nothing especially spectacular about any of them, but they each have a story to tell.


This is a cup I remember from my childhood. Originally it was one of those that came with a saucer and had an Easter egg in it; both long since gone. All that remains is this cup and and a series of happy memories. My Grandfather used this mug as his shaving mug when he was too unwell to get to the bathroom and shave at the sink.


The memories of him snuggling with me and reading to me. Sharing chocolate with me, whilst pretending not to let my Grandmother or Mum see. Such happy memories. Whilst the mug is not of value in the monetary sense, to me it is priceless.

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Easter Memories

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Julie Goucher
Image courtesy of Lindt

When I was a little girl in the 1970’s my Great Aunt always bought me a box of Lindt chocolate bunnies in a small cardboard box. This happen for years, until I was probably about 15 or so!

The little bunnies were not wrapped, but sat in a small tray inside the small, lovely paper box. This picture is the nearest I have found to my happy Easter memory.

Freshias and Orchids
Image courtesy of
CecilyMae

Anyway, the years passed by and I became an adult and my Great Aunt an elderly lady. We had always shared a small gift when we visited each other. In recent years though it was me that visited and me that had the delight in choosing the gift. In Aunts case usually Freshia’s.

Each time the Easter eggs hit the shelves I have to look and see if there are any on the shelves like there used to be. Each time sharing my memory with my poor husband who can recite the memory. After 20 years who wouldn’t?

About ten years ago we were in Carlisle and I stumbled across an old fashioned sweetshop. The sort the sell sweets by the ounce. There in the window was a box of Easter Lindt bunnies just like Aunt bought for me. I rushed in and bought the box, the chap behind the counter telling me that was old stock. I didn’t really care how old, although I did discreetly check the sell by date. ! I bought them (and a pound of dark (plain) chocolate toffees because they are my favouites).

Lilian Dorothy May (nee Butcher) May 2009
Dorothy May nee Butcher 1915 – 1910
Taken J Goucher 2008

A few weeks later I made the trip to see Aunt. By this point elderly, well into her late 80’s and still living at home. I greeted her, a kiss on the cheek, a bunch of freshia’s and said I have a surprise.

Aunt made tea in her regular china tea cups (because you only have mugs in the morning with coffee!). I carried the tray into the lounge and accepted a cup of tea and a slice of coffee cake. Aunt then asked what the surprise was.

I extracted my box of Lindt bunnies and said “do you remember?” She of course did because like her siblings, my Grandfather’s sisters had the memories of elephants! We had to eat and drink in order, the cake, the tea and then the bunnies, followed by more tea! It was wonderful and a very special moment!

My Aunt left us in 2010, but still every year at Easter I look for those Easter bunnies in the box of yesteryear.

You can read about my Aunt HERE and my Eulogy to her HERE

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Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 34

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Julie Goucher


Today is week 34 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30 am UK time I will release the prompt for that week’s Book of Me, Written by You.

If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE.

This week’s prompt is – Easter Memories

What does Easter Mean to you?

  • A religious event?
  • The first main break (in the UK) since Christmas and New Year
  • A more general Spring/Autumn event
  • Easter Bunnies
    • Eggs
    • Chocolate
  • Traditions
Where ever you are, and however you celebrate (or not) Easter, have a great four day break and spend time doing the things you love with the people you love!
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Genchat, Places and One-Place Studies

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Julie Goucher

Yesterday I and a few of my +Society for One-Place Studies colleagues took part in #genchat hosted by +Jen Baldwin. What a great hour it was and so informative, with plenty of information and hints for experienced and newbies to the concept of a One-Place Study.

Over the course of an hour we answered via Tweet the following eight questions:

  1. What is a One Place Study in the world of genealogy?
  2. Who conducts these studies? & Why do people conduct these studies?
  3. What is the benefit of a One PLACE study over a One NAME study?
  4. What resources are available and unique to a OPS?
  5. How do you chose a location? is it important that you live close to conduct a OPS?
  6. What tools do you use for your OPS? Does genealogy software help? What else do you put into play?
  7. What elements are necessary before you begin? What goes into your overall plan for you OPS?
  8. What areas are we all focusing on today? Where is your OPS or where do you think you would have an interest?

Here is the Chatter details embedded for you and further down is some extra resources that might be of interest.


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Extra Resources

 In December 2013 the Society for One-Place Studies hosted a hangout on area where we discussed the topic of choosing your place

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Find My Past – Thoughts from Anglers Rest

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Julie Goucher

I have been a subscriber of FindmyPast for quite a few years, somewhere between 8 to 10 years I guess. I have always had a pay as you go account because I, sorry findmypast, favoured Ancestry. Then a couple of years ago the company launched in the US and I could purchase a worldwide account, for the fraction of the cost in the UK.

What is a genealogist to do? but purchase a worldwide subscription. The downside was that I had two accounts and two logins. Then at the end of the first year I received a rather tempting offer to resubscribe for a brilliantly low fee. Yet again I was dazzled by savings and took the annual subscription in addition to my worldwide Ancestry subscription. My extravagance knows no bounds!

In the meantime I logged into the new search feature over at the US site and whilst not overly enthralled it served it’s purpose. In addition I had continued topping up my pay as you go credits for the time when I would not be dazzled by the offers!

Then there was the news of a new and modern search facility to the old UK site. I was delighted, but equally the old site worked so why fix it? Then the launch day came and I logged in. Very cleverly FindmyPast had merged my two accounts. My account clearly showed that I had a live world subscription and credits with an expiry date. Searches done were free and my credits safe.

The majority of the genealogy world has been in uproar of the developments of the search options. I agree with my genealogical peers and colleagues, but every cloud has a silver lining and for me that is one login.

I guess I am a glass half full kind of gal!

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All We Leave Are Memories!

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Julie Goucher

I have needed a bit of time out. My A – Z Challenge posts, all written before Christmas and scheduled have failed to post because I realise that I have the year as 2015. Who knows what I was thinking! I may go back and repost or I may just leave ready for next year!

Anyway we have finally hit spring here in England and feeling as though I needed to do something that enabled me to think about my departed family I opted to do a bit of spring sorting.

We have spent the last few days clearing the shed, ridding it of stuff we won’t need at out new place, and merging Mum’s bits with ours. Each thing came with a memory attached.

Her electrical gardening bits that had dubious plugs on. Mum, like me could never wire a plug properly. The view is, if it works then fab!, the strange things in her tool box – a few needles and buttons. Why when she has a whole 5 boxes of sewing and patchwork stuff. Reasoning known only to Mum. Such vagueness and randomness that she has passed along to me and I know my Grandfather was the same. I am in good company and proud to be to.

The best bit was this assortment of tools. Most of these were my Grandfather’s including the box of tacks – still full and rusty and the little tube of something – no idea what that is. Will add that to my to do list to see if I can find out what it is. Whilst the tools have no use really, they are now happily installed in our toolboxes.

Last week I came across the gardening tools that belonged to my Grandfather – a hoe, a rake that had been made with bent nails at the top. I just love the thinking and a link to the past.

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Book of Me, Written by You, Prompt 33

Posted on April 11, 2014 by Julie Goucher


Today is week 33 of what is going to be a 15 month project. Each Saturday, at around 12.30 am UK time I will release the prompt for that week’s Book of Me, Written by You.

If you are new here, welcome! The details, background flyer and Face Book link to the Book of Me can be found HERE.

This week’s prompt is – Regrets

  • Big Regrets
    • I should (or not) have bought that large purchase
  • Small Regrets
    • I should (or not) have had that thick shake at MacDonalds
  • Miscellaneous Regrets
    • Relationships
    • Jobs
    • Friends

This might seem like a prompt which gives you permission to beat yourself up at the regrets you may have. That is not the case. The important thing to remember with regrets is that hindsight is a wonderful thing!
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A view of Old Guildford circa 1902

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Julie Goucher
I have had trouble locating the actual spot of this picture. I think it is a small alleyway off the High Street, on the right hand side, just past W.H. Smiths. What do you think?

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Mastering Genealogical Proof Study Group 2 – Chapter 6

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Julie Goucher

+DearMYRTLE Community

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