#TwiceRemoved

Imagine your job is so dangerous that you are at risk of loosing a limb. But instead of trying to implement safety measures, your employer starts manufacturing artificial limbs! That's exactly the world our ancestors inhabited.

My guest Mike Esbester (co-lead on the Railway Work, Life & Death project) delves into railway ancestors as we explore what life was really like working on the railways.

Resources:

www.genealogystories.co.uk/mike-esbester

http://www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/

The British Museum was fortified against attack. Manchester was in the hands of the Chartists. Over 3 million people signed a petition fighting for the right for all men to vote.

Chartism is about more than a few blokes waving around a petition. It's a vital part of British history. Find out more with expert Mark Crail.

To view that extra special 30 minutes, delving into the lives of the Chartists & providing great tips for family historians - please visit: ko-fi/genealogystories. The extra session can be purchased for the price of a cuppa coffee. I take a latte, thanks!

For more information see:

www.genealogystories.co.uk/mark-crail

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.chartistancestors.co.uk/

Chartism: A New History by Malcom Chase

Expert genealogist, Judith Batchelor shares stories from her family tree - including the discovery that one of her ancestors lost his arm in a terrible accident.

Using her years of experience, Judith (best known as Genealogy Jude) carefully unpicked the events in the lives of this ancestor - and many more.

Listen for fantastic stories and lots of genealogy hints and tips.

Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee: Ko-fi.com/genealogystories

You can find out more about Judith Batchelor by visiting:

www.genealogystories.co.uk/judith-batchelor and

www.genealogyjude.co.uk

Dr Sophie Therese Ambler & Dr Nick Barratt spill the beans on just how bad King John really was! In this medieval episode of TwiceRemoved, my guests share their expertise on this fascinating period in history. We chat about everything from peasant rebellions to battlefield medicine.

Support the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee: Ko-fi.com/genealogystories

Visit www.genealogystories.co.uk/twice-removed-medieval-history for more information.

Link to Song of Simon de Montfort: England's First Revolutionary https://bit.ly/3uOe8jD

Link to The Restless Kings by Nick Barratt: https://amzn.to/3kHHStQ

You can find Nick Barratt at https://www.stick.org.uk/ and Sophie Therese Ambler at https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/history/about/people/sophie-therese-ambler

#TwiceRemoved #Medieval #History

Expert genetic genealogist, Michelle Leonard (Genes & Genealogy) shares amazing DNA discoveries and family history stories. From identifying the bodies of WWI soldiers to personal feelings on a grandmother that died tragically young. Michelle's stories give a fresh perspective on using DNA for family history.

Resources:

• Support the podcast & buy me a cup of coffee Ko-fi.com/genealogystories
• www.genealogystories.co.uk/a-fresh-look-at-dna-for-genealogy
• https://www.facebook.com/genesandgenealogy

Podcast Notes:

[00:35] I ask Michelle what got her started with tracing her family history

Michelle explains how she lost her grandparents before she was born or during her infancy. She grew up listening to stories about these people she could never meet.

[01:58] Michelle tells us about an incredible discovery of forgotten photographs and her uncanny resemblance to an ancestor.

We talk about the importance of photographs and memorabilia.

[06:00] What led you to using DNA for genealogy?

Michelle explains her work on a WWI genealogy project, trying to identify the bodies within a mass grave. She explains how different combinations of historical research techniques worked together to try to identify the soldiers.

[10:25] Michelle shares how she learnt about DNA through using it in earnest. Including, Y-DNA and mitrochrondial DNA.

[14:20] I explain the things that I found most difficult when I started using DNA to investigate my family tree.

Michelle re-iterates the importance of continually re-reading or re-watching information about DNA and continually using it in practice.

[17:14] Michelle talks about the soldiers that haven't yet been identified and the on-going work to ID them.

[18:07] I share a WWI story about a Pither family that I discovered and the need I felt to lay them to rest.

[20:00] Michelle shares some of the stories she discovered about WWI soldiers. She explains the joy of finding descendants of these very young men that, in some cases, had been forgotten.

[21:50] I ask Michelle about her heritage and Michelle shares her Scottish and Irish roots.

[23:00] How has DNA helped you with your family tree?

Michelle explains some of the ways in which DNA has helped her to trace her family tree, including identifying where in Ireland her family originated from.

[26:08] I explain a "mis-attributed" parental event that I discovered upon my Nan doing her DNA test.

We discuss the importance of talking to your family members and sharing your discoveries.

[29:44] I ask Michelle about some of her more surprising DNA finds

Michelle shares some of her favourite finds, such as an adoptee within her own tree.

[34:22] I explain how I've used DNA to break down walls caused by illegitimate ancestors.

Michelle explains the importance of testing as many descendants as possible and of "fishing in all the ponds" for DNA matches.

[36:50] We talk about how interconnected our ancestors were, endogamy and pedigree collapse.

[38:47] Have you ever worked with a DNA client and had a "Danny Dyer" moment (i.e. discovered a connection to someone royal or famous)?

Michelle shares a story of a unexpected link to a celebrity. She solved the case by reading the celebrities biography!

[42:30] I describe my 'blue blood' story and link to the De Crespigny family that are meant to be descended from Richard III.

[43:57] We chat about how we feel more connected to some family tree lines than we do others - and how there is often no logic to these...

Imagine discovering your family tree contained forgotten wrestling champions! It just goes to show that you really might discover anything when you start delving into family history.

Kirsty Surgey uses family history to create performances. She plays with family history in imaginative ways that inspired me to take a second look at how I tell my genealogy stories.

• Support the podcast & buy me a cup of coffee Ko-fi.com/genealogystories
• www.genealogystories.co.uk/forgotten-champions
• https://heardofcats.co.uk/

[00:29] What is a performance maker and researcher?

Kirsty explains how she uses family history to create performances.

[03.24] How does the traditional research of places and time periods fit into performance making?

Kirsty explores ideas of heritage as performance.

[04.46] Kirsty discusses how an individual’s story is far more interesting if that individual is telling it rather than someone else - because telling our stories creates a relationship and connection to that story.

[05.16] How much do you think family history helps people to form their own identity?

Kirsty explains how the discovery of a place where generations of her ancestors had lived gave her a sense of rootedness.

[08.04] Kirsty describes how sharing our stories helps us to understand what life was like in the past

[09.53] What was it that lead you to research your family tree?

Kirsty tells a story about the death of her Grandfather’s cousin and the subsequent clearing of his house. Riffling through memorabilia she rediscovered wrestling champion ancestors! She discovered a female ancestor (Isabella) whose stories had been lost to time which stimulated her interest in researching her family tree.

[14.11] Kirsty discovered a family bible with Isabella’s name inscribed inside and a sampler she had made when she was 12. These items led her to explore and imagine what Isabella's adult life was like.

[14.35] Kirsty and I discuss how past objects and photos provide a snap shot in time which can evoke a strange feeling of nostalgia and uncanniness. Kirsty explains her game Lines and Ladders.

[20.10] I ask Kirsty to tell me about her favourite stories

[20.22] Kirsty talks about her Great Grandmother, who during WWI went to university to study to become a doctor. The recordings of her life and that of her brothers were made by their Mother in a diary. The diary catches the pride and expectations their Mother had for them, but their lives do not plan out as expected.

[26.09] We discuss keeping a diary during the pandemic and how that, even now looking back while still in the pandemic, past entries seems strange because you know the outcome.

[26.41] Kirsty explains that individual stories can connect into each other and by playing the board game she has created, people can find connections to each other and to the past.

[29.27] Discussion on how playing the board game can engage people to share their stories and stimulate those who may think their ancestry are boring.

[30.46] Do you have a favourite time period?

[31.15] Kirsty explains how she likes to jump into different parts of her history. She advices us not to get hung up about going back as far as possible, as very recent history is still history.

[40.44] If you met someone that was sitting on the fence thinking about tracing their family history what would you say to them?

[41.09] Kirsty shares her passion for family...

Imagine 50 years after WWI you discovered that the grandfather everyone believed to have died of war wounds was actually alive and kicking and living nearby! Shockingly, that's exactly what happened to my guest, Helen Tovey's father. No wonder she became hooked on tracing her family tree. Helen is the editor of the brilliant Family Tree magazine and has a vibrant tree filled with innovative and inventive ancestors. 

• Support the podcast & buy me a cup of coffee Ko-fi.com/genealogystories
• For more info see www.genealogystories.co.uk/innovative-ancestors
• For more about Family Tree magazine: https://www.family-tree.co.uk/
• For more info on the railway accidents project mentioned at the end of the interview, see http://www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/

[00:32] What made you start tracing your family tree?

Helen explains the tree that her father inherited and a mysterious name in a newspaper that unlocked a family secret.

[4:22] How has our ancestors personal lives impacted upon our lives today?

Helen talks about us today as survivors and about how consoling it can be to find ancestors that led difficult lives.

[6:37] Do you have any favourite stories?

Helen shares stories about an ancestor that she was told had invented roundabouts and what she discovered about his life.

[9:17] We talk about the way stories are passed down generations, what is and isn't remembered.

[10:55] Do you have a favourite ancestor or someone you wish you could have met?

Helen tells us about her Great-Granny, her childhood visits to her home and her affection for her. Plus, her family tree brick walls including two possible sisters with the same first name.

[14:12] We discuss the joy of breaking through brick walls and the muddles that DNA can throw up. We share our feelings on tracing further back vs collecting stories about our ancestors and how we use our own ancestors as a starting point for exploring wider history.

[19:07] Where are your ancestors from?

Helen shares her UK and Irish roots and a newly discovered connection with Orkney. We discuss epigenics and the strange feeling of "coming home" that you can get from a place that you have actually never lived yourself.

[22:32] Do you have a favourite time period?

Helen tells us about her love for the 17th Century and her secret wish to be an international textile seller in the 1700s.

[24:33] Helen shares her links to an ancestor that put down a slave riot. We talk about how tracing your family history can be uncomfortable and challenging. We discuss the changes in attitudes towards women both positive and negative.

[29:30] What influence do you think the pandemic will have on genealogy?

Helen hopes that the archives are not too adversely effected. We talk about the benefits of being able to now meet online and share stories. Helen shares her thoughts on the way genealogists are inventive.

[32:32] What would you say to someone who was considering tracing their family tree?

Helen shares her thoughts on the joy of exploring the past and the excitement of finding an ancestor in a historic document.

From stories of amazing resilience to Jewish naming traditions. My guest, professional genealogist Caitlin Hollander (from Hollander-Waas Jewish Heritage Services) shares her family history stories, advice on researching Jewish ancestors and so much more.

• Support the podcast & buy me a cup of coffee Ko-fi.com/genealogystories
• www.genealogystories.co.uk/jewish-genealogy and
• https://www.hollander-waas.com/

[00:47] How did you get started tracing your family history?

Caitlin shares stories of her grandfather.

[02:15] I ask Caitlin about her heritage, from a mix of backgrounds including Jewish and Italian.

[03:18] Caitlin shares stories about her favourite ancestors - in particular about a grandmother that married the local butcher. We chat about our female ancestors and their careers.

[05:00] Caitlin explains her Jewish-German ancestors, the terrible impact of Holocaust and survival stories.

[09:58] How does Caitlin cope with researching such harrowing stories?

[14:00] If you could meet anyone of your ancestors - who would you meet and why?

Caitlin shares stories of the resilient women in her tree, whom often defied convention. We share some stories about our favourite female ancestors and how we relate to them as women.

[16:30] Caitlin explains the use of Jewish mother's surnames, the fluidity of surnames and the use of patronyms within Ashkenazi Jewish communities.

[21:46] What kind of markers do you use to ensure you've found the right person? What impact has DNA had upon your research techniques?

Caitlin explains the pro's and con's of working with endogamy within genetic genealogy research. She delves into the inter-marriage between certain families and how this can help you to ascertain whether you are on the "right track".

[26:53] Caitlin shares a story about finding someone based on their signature - having to use a wide range of clues due to the fluidity of names and places.

[29:33] Caitlin explains a very old Jewish tradition of re-naming the sick in order to trick the Angel of Death. She explains the way people have negotiated with these traditions.

[33:33] Caitlin tells us a story about how sometimes names can tell us about our ancestors feelings about one another.

[35:54] Do you have a favourite time period?

Caitlin explains her love of different places and the types of records they produce.

Caitlin shares why she loves tracing her family history.

[37:58] How do you think the pandemic will effect the future of genealogy?

[40:11] What would you say to someone who is thinking of tracing their family history - but is worried that now is not the best time?

Caitlin shares her hopes, her frustrations and the loss of records and some more stories from her personal family history.

Crime historian, Angela Buckley (the Victorian Supersleuth) delves into the world of Victorian policing, covering both coppers and criminals in this week's episode of #TwiceRemoved. Sharing stories from her own family tree, Angela brings Victorian criminal history to life.

• Support the podcast & buy me a cup of coffee Ko-fi.com/genealogystories
• You can find out more about Genealogy Stories and this episode by visiting www.genealogystories.co.uk/victorian-coppers-and-crime
• Learn more about Angela and criminal history at https://victorian-supersleuth.com
• Website of author Hallie Rubenhold (see 41:22) https://www.hallierubenhold.com/
• Genealogy subscription site www.ancestry.co.uk

[00:37] I ask Angela what led her to trace her family tree. Angela details her own family history including her links to Wiltshire, Manchester, America and Italy and we discuss the impact that the publication online of the 1901 census had on us both.

[03:00] Angela shares her stories about her favourite ancestors, including a pioneering female relative that emigrated to the USA.

[04:56] We discuss the connection we feel we have to our ancestors and our emotional response to their lives.

[06:15] Angela shares stories about in person reunions with cousins found via Ancestry. The last time the family had been together was 100 years ago.

[08:14] What started Angela's interest in crime history? Angela explains her discovery of an ancestor within a Calendar of Prisoners. This ancestor stole potatoes but what really interested Angela was that his step-mother was the person that informed the police of his crime. Angela became fascinated with the impact that poverty and breaking the law had upon the family.

[12:00] We discuss the Victorian era and why we love it so much!

[15:42] What was Victorian policing like? Angela explains the initial voluntary nature of rural policing and the combination of day and night watchmen alongside constables in cities. Angela explains the formation of the MET in 1829 and the four types of police forces that existed right up until the 1960s/70s. Angela explains the various changes that started taking place around the mid 19th Century and the similarities between the organisational structure of policing in the 19th and 21st Century.

[21:42] What happened when there was a very serious crime, like murder?

[19:31] Who decided which crimes needed to be investigated and how did they make those decisions? Angela details the rise of detectives and explains watch committees, the role and influence of the public and private policing. She explains the response to serious crimes such as murders, a spate of garrotting and the sad rise in baby farming.

[23:52] We discuss my criminal ancestors and my discovery of a botched police investigation and unreliable witnesses.

[26:25] What tools did police have at their disposal to investigate a crime? How did they gather proof? Angela explains the reliance on observation, common-sense and witness testimonies. She explores the use of police sketches, plaster casts, chemical analysis and the use of experts. We discuss the slow professionalisation of the police and the use of science, such as finger printing.

[29:37] Are there crimes that were more prevalent during Victorian period, compared to today? Angela discussing stealing, particularly of clothing and fraud.

[33:07] What punishments might our ancestors have faced, if they were found guilty of committing a crime?...