I am still recovering from our Few Forgotten Women Friday back in January. In the end, fifty three of us each took one or more of the girls from the Leeds Industrial School and attempted to find out more about them. Given that we had a zero budget (though a few of us did succumb to buying a certificate or two) and were restricted to what we could find online, we were remarkably successful. Of course there were those for whom very little could be found and others where we found someone of the right name but couldn’t be sure we had the right person. The nature of the lives that these girls and their families led meant that they were likely to avoid appearing in the official records, or did so under an alias. Nonetheless, some fascinating stories are emerging. Sadly, many of them did not end happily but some of the girls did seem to turn their lives around. The stories are gradually appearing on the website, so do take a look. There’s a now a new Forgotten Women Friday on the horizon in March. So do get in touch if you fancy honing your research skills on an inebriate woman.
Every now and then I revisit one of my family lines to see what more can be found. It is currently the turn of the Smiths of London (I know – someone has to take one for the team). I have (possibly rashly) agreed to make them the subject of a talk, focussing on the possibilities when researching the country’s most common surname in the most highly populated city. It is surprising what a range of sources can be used, both for the genealogy and the contextual history. I am getting lost down more rabbit holes than you can imagine.
Whilst on the subject of elusive ancestors, I have been working on a new course for Pharos Teaching and Tutoring about Migration and those ancestors that just disappear. A positive warren of rabbit holes here. If any of you have managed, thus far, to escape being drawn in to the obsession that is family history, despite reading my blog, now is the time to start. Pharos have just launched a two-part Foundations of Family History course that can be taken at any time; ideal for those who are just stepping their toes in the water but be warned – there is no going back. While I am on the topic of courses. There’s another chance to take my online ‘Are you Sitting Comfortably? Writing and Telling your Family History’. This usually runs twice a year but this will be the only chance in 2023 and there is an option to submit a piece for me to feed back on if you wish. The course starts with Pharos Teaching and Tutoring on 13 March.
Writing has mostly been about finishing the draft of the non-fiction book I’ve been working on for the past year. I’m afraid the title is embargoed and it may be a year before copies hit the bookshelves but it has been great fun to write. I am now dealing with the dreaded task of sourcing copyright free illustrations. There are plenty of documents I’d love to include but the responses are usually along the lines of ‘that will be £200 please’, which means it will cost me a fortune to produce the book. I accept that, if it sells well, I will be making a few pence an hour for writing it but that really is, literally, a few pence, so shelling out to use illustrations is not an option. Despite what trawling the internet might suggest, you really can’t just use images as and where you please.
I’ve been keeping in touch with my lovely colleagues from the Experimental Archaeology Course and there was great excitement three weeks ago as certificates marking our success began to be delivered. I eagerly searched my doormat – nothing. Days passed – still nothing. I know I live in the back of beyond, where postmen rarely dare to tread but certificates have reached Australia and I still don’t have mine. I have asked the powers that be and am now anxiously awaiting a reply as well as a certificate.
I’ve been giving talks here and there, in person and on line and had a chat about family history to Radio Devon last week, as you do. Everything you know about family history in ten minutes was a tad of a challenge but always a pleasure to speak to the lovely Pippa Quelch.
Signs of spring are wonderful. I just wish the sun could shine without showing quite so much dust.
The History Interpreter - Janet Few 
Second to the Smiths of London must surely be the Taylors of Birmingham. However Ellen Taylor could be the Ellen Maria Taylor baptised 25 Apr 1862 in Birmingham, parents William and Elizabeth. In the 1871 census she’s listed in the Windsor Street Girls Ragged School, Leeds, RG10/4555. She could also possibly be the servant born Birmingham in Saddleworth in 1881 RG11/4364. Of course you may already have this in your “Other Girls” File, but I couldn’t find that on the website (and I didn’t add this info there because the typefont was so large it wouldn’t have fitted).
Thank you – yes she is one of our Other Girls https://0fdeec60-268b-49a8-a6a1-e635753c414d.filesusr.com/ugd/d63e92_cdb37a36c1d9498eaffc984e38d881f1.pdf Thanks for the possible spot in 1881. Trouble is as you say too many possibilities! There is also a possible death in Leeds in 1873
My Smith family were in London for a while (from Histon, Cambridgeshire). Then Charlotte Elizabeth went to Swansea Wales with family and eventually became my grandmother, after coming to Canada twice.
Ooh. My grandfather was a Smith born in London and I cannot find him before 1901. When and where are you giving your talk Janet. This is my biggest ‘brick wall’.
13 April via Zoom for London, Westminster and Middlesex FHS – not sure if they allow guests. We must be related! Last time I said taht about the London Smiths it turned out we were!!!
Never had a DNA test so won’t be able to check whether we are related or not Janet. My grandfather always recorded in official documents that he was born in St John’s Wood which is covered by the Middlesex and London FHS. Perhaps I should join so I can listen to your talk!