Researching local historic figures family trees.

[coombs]

I guess some have done this out of interest, I have but just do the basic info unlike going into depth with my own ancestry.

For example I have done some general FH research into one of my local historic figures Henry Blogg (6 Feb 1876-13 June 1954) of Cromer Norfolk, a famous lifeboat coxswain. Born in early Feb 1876 in Cromer the illegitimate son of Ellen Blogg of Cromer who worked in domestic service. Henry's biological father has never been known but Ellen later married John Davies in 1881 and had some more children with John Davies. Henry Blogg himself had 2 children but one died in infancy and the other died unmarried in their 20s in 1925. I used to work in Cromer myself and knew people who knew Henry, and I have visited Henry's memorial plaque in Cromer.

[Top-of-the-hill]

  I have expanded my family tree as far as I feel it needs to go, except for occasional checks for new records. I research local history much more now, though having ancestry in the area there are very occasional cross-overs. The archivist at our local history society wants us to research the more interesting local families from the recent past (while their descendants are still around!)

[coombs]

  I have expanded my family tree as far as I feel it needs to go, except for occasional checks for new records. I research local history much more now, though having ancestry in the area there are very occasional cross-overs. The archivist at our local history society wants us to research the more interesting local families from the recent past (while their descendants are still around!)

Yes I still do a lot of genealogy but also tend to be branching out wider into village history or local town history, and local historic figures. Also because we do genealogy we know all the ropes when it comes to researching famous or locally famous people from the past and their life events.

Henry Blogg has no living descendants. But, for example, if Henry Blogg was my ancestor though, I would be trying to get on the case as to any possible record of his blood father by looking at local maintenance orders, or even be wanting to do recombinant DNA testing. But i think the identity of his genetic father will likely always remain a mystery, as Henry's 2 children died childless. And his mum married in 1881 and Henry saw John Davies as his father I think. Ellen Blogg worked in service in Cromer so became pregnant around spring 1875 if Henry was born Feb 1876, so the father could have been any local Cromer man, or from further afield.

[BumbleB]

I expanded my family history when I discovered that a "member" became a Missionary.  As a result I have travelled to many of his Mission Stations in Africa, having made contact with a lady who just happened to live on a property that he had owned.  Together we journeyed across Africa from KZN to Namibia and back.  Very, very interesting! 

[coombs]

Plenty of famous local heroes who were famous outside Norfolk such as Edith Cavell and of course Horatio Nelson.

One local West Norfolk celebrity over 400 years ago was an ancestor of mine. Peter Cartwright, Mayor of Kings Lynn in 1591, and a wine merchant.

[Top-of-the-hill]

  When my son was at Norwich University, he and a friend spent their third year in a cottage out in the country. When I went to visit them I discovered that it was Edith Cavell's home village. I think I went to the church, but it was a long time ago!

[coombs]

The James Paget Hospital in Gorleston has on site staff accommodation nearby called The Edith Cavell Building.