Every great journey begins with a story. Mine is no different.
Great uncle George emigrated to New Zealand in 1912 and would become subject to a police investigation for ‘sly grogging’ in 1920’s Wellington. His granddaughter would drown in the Wahine disaster in 1968 and another child would be left permanently brain damaged. A sad story, but the best part would be finally finding and making contact with my New Zealand cousins through Facebook and confirming our relationships through DNA.
In the heart of one family’s peculiar tradition lies the middle name of Bulmer passed down through the centuries with an old tale about a cunning fraudster who drained their fortunes. As the story unfolded, research uncovered evidence of links to the castles of medieval Yorkshire, where barons and sheriffs waged their own games of power and deception.
Born into abject poverty, young Jacob Lane’s life spiralled downwards after his parents’ early deaths. Orphaned and destitute, he was thrown into the harsh world of the workhouse. After been placed locally as a servant, he was driven by a fierce desire for freedom and escaped, only to be caught and imprisoned for theft of a carriage rug. His rebellious spirit would result in being placed on a training ship and then being sent to a reformatory school. Undeterred, Jacob emerged a changed young man and he would go on to become a master mariner, navigating the world’s oceans, before finally settling ashore to establish himself as a successful grocer and fish dealer, a testament to his extraordinary journey from workhouse orphan to respected mariner and businessman.
Family trees are never finished and stories are not just dates and names – they are the key to understanding who we are. The lives our ancestors lived, the work they did, and the traditions they followed all play a part in shaping how we live today. Exploring your family history helps you connect with the past and see how it has made you the person you are today.
I was born and raised in the vibrant market town of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and for over 30 years, I’ve been exploring my family’s history, tracing my roots back to the 17th century. This exciting journey has taken me to every corner of England and Ireland, and I’ve even discovered close relatives in far-off lands like New Zealand and Australia! Now living in Northumberland, my interests are focussed on North East and Yorkshire genealogy, overcoming challenging research hurdles and those elusive brick walls!
I have undertaken extensive professional training, including:
- Pharos Tutors Family History Skills and Strategies Advanced Certificate: This involved demonstrating advanced genealogical skills through nine comprehensive courses, detailed research planning, and a major research project.
- Pharos Tutors Family History Skills and Strategies (Intermediate) Course: Successfully passed with Distinction, maintaining a level of 80% or more across ten instructional modules.
If you are interested in researching your family history and need professional help, please email your enquiry to: rootedlinesgenealogy@outlook.com
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