TONY BURGOYNE
WHAT'S IN A LIFE?
WHAT'S IN A LIFE?
HELPING YOU DISCOVER YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY
Although "family history" is a term often used for researching information on families of origin it is often assumed the development of a family tree is the most important aspect. It certainly is a very useful document to create and one which can be handed down from generation to generation. Our ancestors sometimes used the Family Bible to insert a family tree inside the front cover.
People say "I know my family history" quite possibly because they have seen a family tree. They can see generations of people, their names, who they married, their children , when and where they were born, married and died. For some this is all that is needed.
But why did our great grandparents leave Austria in 1938? Is there any truth to what Aunt Mabel said that we were descended from a wealthy family but our particular ancestor was disinherited by running off with the family's gardener? What was the uncle, who died in his early 40's , really like?
For some this is important because it helps weave a tapestry of family connections, customs, people that lived a life and heritage.
Take a tour through time, Each year has a fascinating story,
Click to find out
- MY NANNA -
The above photographs depict fleeting glimpses of my maternal grandmother's (Nanna's) life.
The farmhouse is in Pertenhall, Bedfordshire where she was born in April, 1900. It is thought to have been built in the mid 1700's and still stands today... I have been inside it. My grandmother Alice, one of 12 children who survived to childhood, when perhaps 18yo - the earliest photograph I have of her.
The Third image is of my Nanna and Grandad on their wedding day 5 Oct 1921 - you will see them in a couple of other photographs on this site.
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The photograph on the far right was taken in April 1974 when they had been together for over 50years - they died only a couple of years later.
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Can you see her strong character, and kindly nature, in those photographs? Can you see the impact upon my grandfather's face of having been a soldier fighting in quite a few battles during World War I? Both at his wedding and after 50 years of happy marriage? Can you see the gentle nature of a gardener?
Even though they both died over 40 years ago are they still in the minds and hearts of their families and of those that knew them. If you could find someone who knew them you would almost certainly find out they are still "alive" in their memories.
Continue to look at the pages of this website to consider whether you want to find out more about your family history and whether you want to do something about it......