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March 2022 Newsletter
published by Pat Hase on Tue, 01/03/2022 - 0:24

During February there have been some interesting developments in local family history research.  I received a communication that some genealogical papers – possibly from a house clearance - had been purchased as part of a lot which included local postcards and other local memorabilia.

What to do with your Research Notes

On investigation they were identified as being the work of a Weston man who had been actively researching in the 1980s and 90s.  He had no children and had moved away from Weston after the death of his wife.  The bundle included original birth, marriage and death certificates, some copies of certificates, a few photographs and several family trees compiled in the familiar hand of Brian Austin, who at that time had been running consultation sessions in Weston Museum and Library and remembers helping this man.

This set me thinking about what happens to all our work if we do not make sure that it is passed on to an interested party. Perhaps some of you can advise on what should be done with this type of research.  It also highlighted the contribution that Brian’s family trees, which can be seen in the Weston Library, can make to our research. 

The other aspect of these papers was the number of families in Weston which had connections with this man through marriage with his relations.  One even married into the CRANDON family and was related to one who married a HASE!

Since the original research was done more documents have become available online and it might be easier to discover the roots of the family today.  This one family had a link back to the MUGGLEWORTH family, (of Weston Worthy Fame), 3 illegitimate children born in Axbridge Workhouse, someone who changed his name by Deed Poll,  From London Gazette.

and two different women who married German musicians who entertained in Weston, one of whom had difficulties when WW1 started and she was classed as an alien. There are many other connections to the local history of the area.

British & Black History

At the beginning of February, FindmyPast published a Blog about British and Black History  to augment knowledge about Slavery and I have previously written about some residents of Weston and district who had been the owners of Slaves.

A teacher enquired on our Facebook Group about the effect that the arrival of the Windrush had on Weston and Worle, so that he could use local memories in his teaching.  Nobody responded which I think probably was indicative of the lack of recognition of the effects which those immigrants had on the Weston area.   Pre WW2, Weston did have several people born abroad – Many were the wives or children of men serving in the Army in India or Africa.  In 1911 only three people in Weston were born in the West Indies, similarly there were only three residents born in the West Indies in 1921.  These appear to be quite well off and living on their own means.  How would you ensure that children today were familiar with the effects of migration from the Caribbean on this part of the world?

RAF Records

The Genealogist has published some new RAF Records   Over 4.2 million transcripts for RAF Operations Record Books (ORBs), have been released – they are fully searchable by Name, Rank, Aircraft, Squadron, and Date plus many other fields, making it simpler to find your air force ancestors. There is a short video to show how this works 

Portraits & Photographs

Ancestry has connected with the National Portrait Gallery to offer a collection of photographs and paintings    It is worth looking – just in case you have someone in your family whose portrait is included.  My Grandfather always maintained that Edwin LONG RA was a member of our family and there are three portraits of him included.  Can anyone see a likeness to my gg grandfather who is reputed to be a cousin of Edwin?

Thomas LONG                   Edwin LONG RA  

RootsTech 2022

Here's what you will find at RootsTech 2022.  March 3rd - 5th   
Register today!  https://familysearch.me/RootsTech22gb

Next Society Meeting

On Wednesday the 9th March at 2.30 p.m. at Our Lady Of Lourdes Church Hall, Baytree Road, there will be a meeting of the Society when the Speaker will be Alan Bateman. He will be talking about how to research the villages in which your ancestor lived.  Some Covid restrictions will still be in action.  Please bring a mask and conform to requirements.

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Comments ..


Submitted by lily39 on Tue, 01/03/2022 - 8:53

The thought of what to do with the material I have on Compton Bishop came to mind during 'lockdown'. it was suggested to me that these important papers should go to the Parish Council for safe keeping. I have not yet asked what they think of that! 

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Submitted by Jenny Towey on Tue, 01/03/2022 - 10:09

You can specify in your Will (or inform your friends...) that you'd like your FH research to go to either the Society of Genealogists in London, SW Heritage Trust in Taunton (or your local Record Office) or your local library...if there is no family member willing to take it on.

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Submitted by lily39 on Tue, 08/03/2022 - 13:49

Sadly both the Heritage Centre and local library said they were not accepting local research on the grounds of lack of space.

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Submitted by uphill on Thu, 10/03/2022 - 11:16

I have found in the past the  Society of Genealogists very good at taking in research - even village local research.

Have you tried a local history society  - Rooksbridge/ East Brent ?

Also there are several examples of Parish Councils in North Somerset keeping such archives-  the history can sometimes help village arguments !

I might have some questions for you - way back I have family in the Compton area. 

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Submitted by Dai-Williams on Fri, 25/03/2022 - 12:39

The Society of Genealogists is in the process of relocating and they have modified their criteria for accepting deposits. Haven't read the details so I don't know what effect this will have. 

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Submitted by uphill on Thu, 10/03/2022 - 11:26

Sorry should have checked - Axbridge Archaeological and Local History Society probably seem your best bet - they actually say their archives are for Axbridge and surrounding area including Compton Bishop. Their contact is Elizabeth Friend email: friend.elizabeth @gmail.com. I hate to see research and archives lost !

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Submitted by Jenny Towey on Tue, 15/03/2022 - 9:24

Oh, crikey...thanks for info...

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