RootsChat.Com

It has been some time since I have been involved in genealogical research and ages since I have been back to Rootschat, though I loved it as a reasonably early member. Family, financial and earthquake crises have kept me off line.

Recently I received a commission to write a family history and the people concerned kindly funded a new subscription to Ancestry (at great expense). What a disappointment! I used to be able to put in a name and fossick among the various options in my own way. Now I seem to get nothing but pre-digested suggestions (the same with the newish familysearch). It all seems like genealogy for dummies.

No doubt there are new things to be discovered, but I am currently feeling grumpy enough to vent my spleen.

Sorry!

Just in case you haven't noticed ... the above is being screened on UK TV tomorrow night (Tues 3 Oct) 8.30pm. Afraid you need Sky:-[

Ros

Couldn't resist passing this on - from a book I was reading last night (Arthur & George, Julian Barnes). The person in question had just listened to a guest telling her at great length about all the important and famous people on his family tree:

"She was herself the daughter of G. Miller of Brentry, Gloucester, and had little curiosity about her distant ancestors. It seemed to her that if you paid an investigator to elaborate your family tree, you would always end up being connected to some great family. Genealogical detectives did not, on the whole, send the bills attached to confirmation that you were descended from swineherds on one side of the family and pedlars on the other."

 

Ros

Hi all,

This is probably a faint hope, but I was wondering if anyone had access to this book (maybe in a local library?):

Rev. James Raine M.A. - History and Antiquities of North Durham (Bedlingtonshire, Islandshire and Norhamshire - covering the parishes/chapelries of Ancroft, Bedlington, Cornhill, Holy Island, Kyloe, Lowick, Norham, and Tweedmouth).

I see from the web that I can buy it on CD for £20, but this seems a little steep for what could be a bit of a wild goose chase.

I am interested in the pedigree of the Alder family of Horncliffe, in particular any connection between William Rowland Alder and a Thomas Alder, with son Benjamin, who ended up as comptroller of customs in London around 1800.

I'd be very grateful if someone had time to check this out for me - if there is anything relevant I probably will lash out and buy the whole thing.

Many thanks,

Ros

I have recently received my gg-grandfather's NZ death certificate and discovered a new name for the family tree - Rowan.

He was Francis McLean McKillop (emigrated to NZ c1862) with parents Donald McKillop and Catherine Rowan. The IGI has a Catherine Rowan born to Robert Rowan and Ann McLean, which could explain the McLean part of Frank's name (also included in his daughter's name).

On the 1841 census for Campbelltown I found a family of 'McKellops' - all the right names and ages, who had living with them one elderly Robert Rowan.  Think they must be the right ones!

When I googled Rowan and McLean I got one palpable hit on Curious Fox - someone spelling out all the children of Robert Rowan and Ann McLean (including Catherine) and asking about any other descendants. But what a frustration! This person is an unpaid subscriber, so in order to communicate I have to pay the £5 subscription ...

I'm still thinking about that, but posting this in the hope that Google might bring them here instead! Not to mention anyone else with such a connection ...

One curious thing. I have a first cousin (female) who is named Rowan - quite an unusual name for her age and place.  Like me she is a ggg-grand-daughter of the last Rowan in the family tree. Could this be sheer coincidence, or has the name filtered its way down through this very disparate family's consciousness?

Making my first trip to Scotland in July with the very firm intention to visit Argyll, particularly Campbelltown. Would be delighted to hear from any McKillops, McLeans, Rowans, Stewarts and/or Bowies!

Ros