Issue 24 Cover

Discover Your Ancestors

Issue 024

Issue 24 Cover

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Welcome to Discover Your Ancestors Periodical, your monthly digital family and social history magazine.

The big news here is that our fourth annual print edition, with 196 pages packed full of completely new material, is now out in newsagents across the English-speaking world, and can be ordered through our website: discoveryourancestors.co.uk. It’s the only UK family and social history magazine currently available with a free DVD on the cover, too, which has a fantastic collection of data and offers worth more than £130.

If you’re heading to the big show this month – Who Do You Think You Are? Live in Birmingham (see page 27) – you can pick up your copy there, too – and do come and say hello.

Meanwhile, this issue marks two whole years of the Periodical, and as usual is full of diverse information and historical interest, from tracing criminal ancestors to fascinating new DNA research. Enjoy the issue and thanks for reading!

Andrew Chapman, Editor.

Articles

Toughs in cuffs

Toughs in cuffs

All families have skeletons in their genealogical closets and finding a criminal ancestor adds colour to a family tree; even the most ‘respectable’ families have secrets lurking just under the surface. Many factors can drive an individual to commit a crime and, if your ancestors were struggling to survive, then they may well have strayed over to the wrong side of the law. In the 19th century, extreme poverty, without the safety net of state assistance, was intrinsically linked to criminal acts, as well as other more complex reasons such as mental health issues.

Horatio’s last words

Horatio’s last words

A recent BBC2 TV programme on Horatio Nelson (Nelson in His Own Words, broadcast on 6 March and available on BBC iPlayer until 6 April) centred on what the famous Admiral wrote in his letters, to reveal a more complex man than the hero created after his death. It is not just his correspondence, however, that can be used to understand the great man further – we can also discover a great deal more about him from the words that he included in his will and codicils by using the online resources of TheGenealogist.co.uk to find his last will and testament.

The Welsh at work

The Welsh at work

In 1750, the population of Wales was a mere 500,000 people. To put this into context, today, in London alone, there are 300,000 inhabitants who were born in Wales. In the mid-18th century, most employment in Wales was agriculturally based, with the majority of the workforce occupied in growing food and tending animals among the green valleys and high mountains of the Welsh landscape.

Ancient Roots

Ancient Roots

Many people in the UK feel a strong sense of regional identity, and it now appears that there may be a scientific basis to this feeling, according to a landmark new study into the genetic makeup of the British Isles.

Lost in the war, found in the records

Lost in the war, found in the records

Many of us have ancestors who fought and died for king and country in World War One and would like to know more of their story. There are a number of useful resources that can be easily searched online to help you discover more about them.

The jester vs Jerry

The jester vs Jerry

On 20 April 1910, the first in a new series of cartoons was published in the weekly illustrated magazine The Sketch. ‘Am Tag! Die Deutschen Kommen!’ sought to make light of what was a grow ing paranoia in the British press – the possibility of a German invasion. In retrospect, the series appears remarkably prescient, and in 1910, though it would be more than four years before war was to erupt in Europe, the theme was both timely and topical.

April 2015's News

April 2015's News

TheGenealogist.co.uk is launching millions of new records at the Who Do You Think you Are? Live show this month. These include many unique resources: • New tithe maps for more English counties • New tithe apportionment documents for Wales, completing the release • 750,000 more parish records • 4.66 million new WW1 medals records.

Message to the Masses

Message to the Masses

Many people will be familiar with the name John Wesley. When pressed for more information, they may recall that (1) he founded the Methodist church, (2) he had a brother called Charles, and (3) that he had a tremendous work ethic and travelled many thousands of miles in order to preach to people across the British Isles. Wesley’s travels were largely on foot or horseback and it is estimated that he journeyed around 4,000 miles a year.

History in the details: Umbrellas

History in the details: Umbrellas

The word ‘umbrella’ derives from the Latin word umbra (‘shade’), and initially umbrellas were used as protection from the sun. The first waterproofed umbrellas reportedly originated in China in about the 11th century BC, when luxury leather umbrellas became available to royalty and members of the nobility. In ancient times umbrellas were mainly used in Egypt, India and other civilisations of the Middle East and Asia; this also extended to the Greek and Roman Empires.

Place in Focus: Bristol

Place in Focus: Bristol

Bristol received a royal charter in 1155. It was part of Gloucestershire until 1373 when it became a county in its own right. From the 13th to the 18th century, it ranked among the top three English cities after London, along with York and Norwich, until the rapid rise of Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham in the Industrial Revolution.

April 2015's books

April 2015's books

As much as 70 per cent of Essex is agricultural, and given its proximity to the capital it is not surprising that so many members of the Women’s Land Army found themselves on Essex farms and in Essex fields during the two world wars, doing their bit to make sure that Britain did not starve.

Additional Information

Other Formats

You can buy a printed version of the annual Discover Your Ancestors bookazine directly from the publishers, please see www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk and click on ‘Order print copies’ at the bottom.

Editorial Office

Discover Your Ancestors Publishing,

PO BOX 163,

Shaftesbury,

SP7 7BA

E: [email protected]

W: www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk

Discover Your Ancestors – The Family History Show

The Family History Show, York!

Saturday 22nd June 2024
10:00 –16:00 (GMT)

Put your research questions to an expert, watch a talk, speak to a local society, archive or genealogical supplier.

Free talks all day, held in a large lecture hall.
Free Experts on hand to help with your queries.
Many family history societies, archives and companies will be attending from all over the country.

Special Offer! Buy tickets for £8.00 (£12.00 on the day)

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Discover Your Ancestors Periodical is published by Discover Your Ancestors Publishing, UK. All rights in the material belong to Discover Your Ancestors Publishing and may not be reproduced, whether in whole or in part, without their prior written consent. The publisher makes every effort to ensure the magazine's contents are correct. All articles are copyright© of Discover Your Ancestors Publishing and unauthorised reproduction is forbidden. Please refer to full Terms and Conditions at www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk. The editors and publishers of this publication give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised.