Kathrina Perry - Local Historian

It's been a while since I've blogged about my family tree.  Unfortunately modern life has been getting in the way of searching for unknown relatives from the past. I have been doing the odd search which has given me a few things to look into.  I found someone on Ancestry who had  a marriage certificate for one ancestor, Mabel Annie Major, who had the elusive Timothy Major (see the previous blogs about the Major/Ayres conundrum) as their father.  I messaged the person who said that they had married their father's brother.  They also said that they knew of her sisters Eveline and Connie (who are listed on the 1911 census) and a brother called George!!.  Not another illegitimate child in the family.   I have ordered the birth certificate of George and hopefully that will finally sort out which of the sisters these children belong to (assuming that they are all related).  It's always interesting to look at middle names in cases like these as sometimes...

I've had a few days away with the family so have been able to reflect on what I have been doing in terms of my family research (it's always good to take a step back for a while). I've been updating this blog with director ancestors.  However, is that the best approach to take when researching your family. Family history research is very personal.  As mentioned previously, some people just want to see how far back they can get, others might want to see whether they're related to royalty.  Whatever the motivation I believe (and I'm sure people will give their opinions) that family history research should branch out.  This is why we say we are researching our family tree.  Trees have more than one branch and so should family history research. That said, one name studies can be quite interesting, especially when looking at how a particular name travels around the country. The point I'm making is that after a few days reflection I'm not sure that just writing abo...

Maternal Great Great Grandmother Charlotte Elizabeth Key Ratledge 1873 - 1920 Charlotte Elizabeth Key Ratledge was born in February 1873 in Greens Norton, Northamptonshire.  Her parents were Joseph Ratledge and Angelina Wood.  She was baptised on 2 nd March 1873.  Charlottes father died on 5 th July 1872 from Small pox when Angelina was  pregnant with Charlotte. In 1881, Charlotte was living with her mother and stepfather, at 5 Hamlet of Littleworth, Greens Norton, Northamptonshire.  The occupants were: John Kendall                       Head                          45 Angelina Kendall                Wife           ...

Maternal Great Great Grandfather William Thomas Hammond 1872 - 1953 William Thomas Hammond was born in 1872 in Towcester, Northamptonshire.  His parents were Henry Hammond and Emma Inns.  He was baptised on 6 th September 1872 in Towcester, Northamptonshire. In 1881, William was living with his parents and family in Jubilee Row, Towcester, Northamptonshire.  The occupants were: Henry Hammond    Head  29 Emma Hammond    Wife    30 William Hammond Son     8 Harry Hammond     Son     7 In 1891, William was living with his parents and family in Kiln Row, Towcester, Northamptonshire.  William was working as a brewery labourer.  The occupants were Henry Hammond                Head  39 Emma Hammond                Wife...

Maternal Great Great Grandmother Anne Elizabeth Ayres 1857 - 1934 Anne Elizabeth Ayres was born on 15 th October 1857 in Helmdon, Northamptonshire. [1]   Her parents were John Ayres  and Esther Cadd.  Anne was baptised on 6 th December 1857 in Helmdon, Northamptonshire. In 1861, Anne was living with her parents and family in the Hamlet of Halse, Brackley, Northamptonshire.  The occupants were: John Ayres                           Head              33 Esther Ayres                        Wife               31 John Ayres                ...

Maternal Great Great Grandfather  Timothy Humphrey Major 1858 - 1938 Timothy Humphrey was born on 25th April 1858 in Radstone, Northamptonshire  His mother was Mary Ann Humphrey.  There is no father named on his birth certificate.  In 1861, Timothy was living with Mary Ann who was, by then, married to Thomas Major at Lawpit Hill, Helmdon, Northamptonshire.  The occupants were: Thomas Major Head 54 Mary Ann Major Wife 39 Timothy Humphrey Son 2 Thomas Major Son 17 It is not clear whether Thomas is actually Timothy’s father, however he married Mary Ann six months after Timothy was born and Mary Ann’s previous husband, Thomas Humphrey, had died two years previously.  In 1871, Timothy was living with Thomas and Mary Ann at Stockings Farm, Helmdon, Northamptonshire.  The occupants were: Thomas Major Head 64 Mary Ann Major Wife 50 Timothy Major Son 12 This was the first time that Timothy was listed a...

Maternal Great Great Grandmother Lucy Hughes 1857 - 1917 Lucy Hughes was born in January 1857 in Cotesbatch, Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Her parents were Thomas Hughes  and Jane Mason.   In 1861, Lucy was living with her parents and family in Cotesbatch, Lutterworth, Leicestershire.  The occupants were as follows: Thomas Hughes Head 41 Jane Hughes Wife 34 Josiah Hughes Son 8 Elizabeth Hughes Daughter 6 Lucy Hughes Daughter 4 James H Hughes Son 2 In 1871, Lucy was working as a servant in Drury Lane, Rugby, Warwickshire.  She was working for Henry Cleaver who was a master butcher.   In 1879 Lucy married Theophilus William Hall in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.   In 1881, Lucy was visiting her parents in Cotesbatch, Lutterworth, Leicestershire.  The occupants were: Thomas Hughes Head 61 Jane Hughes Wife 53 James H Hughes Son 22 Clara Hughes Daughter 17 Lucy Hall Visitor   ...