Manor Farm, Wanborough Circa 1915

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Julie Goucher

This is the Manor Farm at Wanborough that my Grandfather would have known. My Butcher family farmed here until 1930 when the moved across to Guildford to farm at Manor Farm Onslow Village.

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Beyond the Internet: Week 8 – Certificates

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Julie Goucher

Continuing the weekly theme, inspired by Family History Across the Seas.

The early marriage certificate featured below, is the marriage of Richard BUD, who is my 4 x Great Grandfather.  Richard married Sarah Kemp in Stoke Next Guildford on 21st July 1796. This record was copied from the early church records which have been filmed by the Church of Latter Day Saints.BuddKemp

What is truly wonderful is that I can see the writing of Richard and his sister Elizabeth. Guildford was only about 5 miles from Guildford and was a bigger market town than nearby Godalming. It was also Sarah Kemp’s parish. After the wedding Richard and Sarah returned to Puttenham where they raised their family.

Once Civil Registration came into force in 1837, the amount of data a certificate increases as you can see here, from the Marriage certificate of my Great Aunt in 1902, Edith Matthews to Charles Jelley.

Edith Matthews & Charles Jelley

Whilst the Certificates can provide details on the name of the father, perhaps the witnesses give a clue to family members, or the address. Even the occupation, nothing can be assumed to be 100% correct. In this case, it does not reflect that Edith and Charles had met whilst he recovered from an injury in the Boer War. So, whilst he perhaps was a labourer, he should have put soldier, as he was not discharged from the Army until June 1902.

Across the border into Scotland and the certificates provide much, much more information. In 2010, I accompanied my husband to register the death of his father. The registrar asked for details of my late father in law’s occupation and that of his wife and any previous wife’s. Had my sister in law registered the death she would not have provided accurate details and my mother in law would have had a an absolute fit at being asked for details of his first wife, whether she was deceased or not.  I should mention that clearly on the certificate it states that failure to provide correct information is subject to a £1,000 fine. Having registered the death we were issued with a small certificate, free of charge, which gives next to nothing in regard to genealogical data (this is the same in England). We paid for a full certificate.

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Fearless Females 2012 – Day 3

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Julie Goucher

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

Last year I talked about an ancestor, my Great x 3 Grandmother, Prudence Budd and that her name had been carried down through the family. Which I think is a lovely honour. Certainly if we had, had children we would have used family names, although, I am not sure Prudence would have been the one; my husband might have taken considerable persuading!

I also shared an unusual name of Bethsheba, which occurs on my Grandmother’s paternal line. On my Grandmother’s maternal line I have come across the lovely name of Emaline. Emaline was my Grandmother’s Great Grandmother. Born in 1797 in the Sussex parish of Lurgershall. Emaline married in 1815 at Lurgershall to Edward Denyer.

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George’s War

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Julie Goucher

Back in 2008, I launched the Blog – George’s War. The aim was to explore and research my Grandfather’s part in the Second World War.

When I started this quest, I didn’t really think that there was much in the way of documentation and items from his war years left to enable me to piece together those fearful days, but when I sat and looked closer at what documents and other items I had, it was actually more than I thought.
I inherited – 
  1. A set of medals complete with the cardboard box they were dispatched in and the original greaseproof paper envelope that the medals were wrapped in.
  2. A small little leather wallet and a coin
  3. A selection of photographs
  4. Various stories handed down from my Grandparents
  5. A piece of material embroidered by my Grandfather while he was stationed in Sierre Leone
  6. A Service Pay Book 
Service and Pay Book – George Butcher
Service & Pay Book George Butcher InsertService & Pay Book George Butcher Front CoverService & Pay Book George Butcher Page 1Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 2Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 3Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 4
Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 5Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 6Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 7Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 8Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 9Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 10
Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 11Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 12Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page 13Service & Pay Book George Butcher Page14Service & Pay Book George Butcher Back Cover

So, it does seem fitting, that on what would have been my Grandfather’s 104th birthday that I really push on with my quest and try to understand the events of his time as a Serviceman during the Second World War, or as I affectionately call it, George’s War.

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Sepia Saturday 115 – Games

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Julie Goucher
This is a photograph of Wanborough Surrey Cricket Team. 
Taking part in Sepia Saturday
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Fearless Females 2012 – Day 2

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Julie Goucher

March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?

This photograph is not in terribly good shape. I inherited this from my Grandmother. This is a photograph of my Great Grandmother, Mary Elizabeth ELSTONE, aged circa 18 years.  Mary was born in Bramshott Hampshire in 1880. She married John Matthews in Merrow, Guildford Surrey in 1900 and they raised a family of 11 children. Mary died in 1937 and is buried at the Mount Cemetery Guildford.
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Fearless Females 2012 – Day 1

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Julie Goucher

March 1 — Do you have a favourite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.

Last year I wrote about my ancestor Esther Bellasis nee King. Esther, over the past few years has featured several times. I find her and her husband fascinating.

When I sat recently to write this post I reflected the question,  do I have a favourite ancestor? and if I did, should I have? Each of my female ancestors made their contribution to my ancestry and in each one of them is important.

In recent weeks, I have revisited the research I hold of specific ancestors. In that revisit I have drawn out a time line of events of their lives and found in some cases I knew very little beyond the paper trail of existence  for them. I guess that this is because we females tend to change names upon marriage; and perhaps that causes us to loose our identity as women and individuals in our own right. In revisiting the information of my female ancestors it enables me to progress their existence beyond that of mother and wife.

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1940 United States Census

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Julie Goucher
 Last week I was reading at the 1940 US Census website what the plans are for this particular US Census. Previous Census are available for viewing via various genealogical sites. The difference with the 1940 Census is that it will be freely available to all from 2nd April 2012. On the back of that, a huge index project is being launched. This will enable researchers to locate their ancestors easier and enables those in the genealogical community, to be part of and embrace the genealogical community by give something back. 
Those of us in the UK will not be so lucky. There was no Census in 1941 due to the Second World War. The 1940 Census in the United States, might, apart from any military service records, be the last documentary link between a Citizen of the United States and that individuals death. The United States joined the War after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941, but American troops were all across Europe, assisting the forces of the United Kingdom and her Allies in the Liberation of Europe. 
This may well be opportunity to locate family from Poland, Italy, Germany, France and alike, who fled their homeland and to a Country of safety and freedom. Some fled to the UK and will not appear in any Census until 1951, which is still a closed Census; some though fled to the United States and therefore the release and free access to this Census is a great genealogical asset. 
Whilst, I am not in the United States, I, or at least my husband does, has relatives that will appear on the 1940 Census. I will benefit from the Census being made freely available, and my way of saying “thanks”! is to take part in the indexing. 
For details of the index Project, or to become a 1940 Census Ambassador visit the 1940 Census website.

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World Book Day & Bookish Thoughts!

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Julie Goucher

Today is World Book Day. The project is aimed at children and in developing their love of books. The school or nursery registers with the site and at some point the book tokens arrive and are shared, presumably between the children who then go to a book store and use the voucher against a nominated book. I don’t know too much about the scheme, other than what I have read, as I don’t have any children.

What I do have is a lot of books. Reading was encouraged in my childhood. I would happily sit on my Mum or Grandmother’s knee and be read to and enjoy, time and time again the wonders of Enid Blyton and Beatrice Potter. My favourites from Enid Blyton were the series of Noddy books, and those about Mr Twiddle.

 I still have some of these books, complete with price tickets on showing the price of 12p. I was also rather fond of Rupert the Bear and the lovely yellow hard back covers. Happy memories.

I have no idea what is was about books that made me so enthused with them. I loved Lego as a child, but no longer have my original set or have purchased any for a trip down memory lane. Yet, books and bookshops are a love, perhaps even an obsession. I love nothing more than glancing through old books, perhaps a bookshop or market stall.  New books too are wonderful, but they are brand new and have really no history to them. An old book has is pre-loved! and if only it could talk. What secrets would it share of a former owner?

There does though, come a time when ever a serious book lover has to consider a cull of books. Back in 2005 I culled around 100 of my collection – mainly fiction that had been read once and then destined to the shelves. In 2008 I had another, more serious cull – around half the collection. This time a mixture of fiction and non fiction. Non fiction acquired from my degree and training and further studies. I have to say though, I did feel bereaved. Do I still have the first book that I personally bought? I have no idea; I can not even remember what it would have been. I can probably guess though where I bought it. A fabulous, long since gone bookshop in Guildford called Thorp’s.

What is left resides on a series of book shelves – 3 in my study all full, one in a spare room completely full and holds specific books – a series of fiction books and my Italian and Thyroid collections. In the hall is a further bookcase filled with my collection of cookbooks, my set of Elm Creek fiction books by Jennifer Chiaverini and a shelf holding my collection of old books featuring the Bellasis, Bowring and a few others. In our lounge we have another bookcase filled with hubby’s collection of angling books and our antique books. That all seems fairly organised. There is also in my study a rather large pile of books awaiting reading. As we ponder about downsizing I am not looking forward to further contemplations of having another book cull.

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Fearless Females – 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month – Introduction

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Julie Goucher

In March 2010, The Accidental Genealogist launched a series of blogging prompts to celebrate Women’s history Month. I didn’t take part then, but did in 2011 and plan to do so again. 


The prompts are provided by, and copyrighted to The Accidental Genealogist and are listed one for each day in March. They are listed here purely as an introductory post to assist me as I follow the challenge.

Blogging Prompts.

March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.

March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

March 5 — How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?

March 6 — Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)

March 7 — Share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother’s kitchen. Why is this dish your favorite? If you don’t have one that’s been passed down, describe a favorite holiday or other meal you shared with your family.

March 8 — Did one of your female ancestors leave a diary, journal, or collection of letters? Share an entry or excerpt.

March 9 — Take a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information.

March 10 — What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn’t they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?

March 11 — Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?

March 12 — Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.

March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.

March 14 — Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?

March 15 — Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.

March 16 — If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?

March 17 — Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.

March 18 — Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.

March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?

March 20 — Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.

March 21 — Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.

March 22 — If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?

March 23 — Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.

March 24 — Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?

March 25 — Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?

March 26 — What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.

March 27 — Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?

March 28 — Do you remember your mother’s best friend? Your grandmother’s? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?

March 29 — Create a free Fold3 Memorial Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley’s post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you’ve selected and why and then post a link to what you’ve created.

March 30 — Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?

March 31 — Pick one female ancestor and write a mini-profile (500 words or less).

BONUS: Take all of your postings and turn them into a memory or tribute booklet for future generations.

Thanks to The Accidental Genealogist for the prompts
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