Category: Uncategorized

What is a One Place Study? #SticklepathOne – What progress has been made on the 10 Steps?

On By HelenFinchIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The year end is a time for reflection, after the main festivities and whilst we are still so full we can hardly move!

So what is a One Place Study? 

Family history + Local history + House histories?  Yes 

People, places, institutions and events in a historical context. Yes

“Researching the people of a community within the context of the place they live”. (OPS website).         Yes

Bringing photos, maps, statistics, stories, primary and secondary sources and analyses together with a view to making them accessible to others?   Yes

Bringing different types of information together in an exciting new way? Yes

“investigating a small geographical area in minute detail” (Dr Janet Few) Yes

Potentially serious, careful, accurate and detailed high quality research?  Yes

Individual project or group collaboration?      Yes

“An intensely personal brand of history” (Dr Janet Few) Yes

A brilliant resource for anyone studying ancestors in that place? Yes

True, but it is so much more.  Drawing all this information together, one place studies (OPS) combine different aspects to bring new perspectives.  Themes emerge like:

Migration -Why did people move to the place?  Where did they go when they left. Why?

War – impact on individuals and the community.

Effects of geography / geology / transport/ access / faith / political or economic state on the population.

The population structure and how groups in society behaved or were treated: the rich, poor, women, children.

What was life really like in this place at different points in time? And so on and on. 

For me a huge attraction is the range of possibilities, AND that I can choose what I want to do within it, at a level the suits me, gradually building up.    Currently I am at the stage of pulling information together, and working out how on earth to organise it all! With lock down primary sources are fairly limited – just those available via the web. 

One HUGE advantage of calling your research a One Place Study and even registering it, is the enthusiastic community of One Placers who encourage and support you.  

https://www.one-place-studies.org (Check out the blog summarising great genealogical sites each month, and the numerous videos under ‘resources’)

http://www.oneplacestudy.org – Directory with links to the fantastic websites of many One Placers.

Dr Janet Few, our amazing Devon genealogist, has written a couple of books about this form of research, most recently ‘Ten Steps to a One-Place Study’ https://thehistoryinterpreter.wordpress.com/publications/. (Full reference below, within the UK contact the author direct for a copy)

The 10 steps, slightly adapted, (apologies Janet), form a useful framework to review my progress. 

Step 1 Choose your place and its boundaries:

There are One Placers studying a village, a town, a street, a house, a crescent, a war memorial, a cemetery, a school.  No rules here, you can chose any ‘place’ that appeals to you across the world, even a moving target such as a boat!  It is worth checking the directory (link above) to check if there is already a study. For me my ‘home village’, my families home for 200 years and where I grew up, the village of Sticklepath was the obvious choice.  I have done a little work previously (publications referenced below) mainly since my parents died in 2015, but the flexible format of OPS appeals as a framework.  I took a Pharos course on the topic tutored by Janet Few in September 2020 and started from there.

Setting physical boundaries is still a challenge.  Sticklepath villagers were included in 3 different Parishes and therefore 3 different census enumerator districts. I am not sure that the current Sticklepath Parish boundaries really reflect the agricultural community of our ancestors. My boundaries remain ‘fluid’ at present. 

One key piece of advice was to chose a starting point such as a records source, a date span or a theme.  Themes include occupations and local industries, population structure and changes, and those listed above.  

Janet warns that it is easy to be enthused by the endless possibilities and not quite get organised.  That summarises my 3 months neatly!  Covid has of course largely prevented archive visits, even for those close at hand.  Living in North Yorkshire, and moving house, with much family and village history still disorganised in multiple boxes, has not helped.  However, I have also made some progress and can see some ways forward.  

I am working through the Sticklepath section of the Sampford Courtenay Census for 1851 and creating family trees for all the residents on Ancestry,  with a physical card index.  As a rule of thumb any resident is in the database (this will eventually include those buried in Sticklepath Quaker burying ground). The family trees extend, where I can, to first degree relatives of those residents – parents, siblings, spouse(s) and children.  (1851 is the first census with both names and relationships, which helps when creating a pedigree chart!).  The aim will be, eventually, to add all the individuals from censuses 1841-1911 and the 1939 register plus many other sources such as directories, Parish registers etc. etc. to create one large database.  

My main timeframe is 1770 – 1970.  Should time allow I am also attracted to a focus on the decade from 1910 to 1920, leading up to the 1921 census which should be released in January 2022.  Not started this yet, but I have booked a Pharos course on researching the 20th century to get me started! (Yes you guessed tutored by none other than JF).

Step 2 Reconstruct

This involves finding past research and books on your place, maps and images.  Trying to get an overview of changes over time. Some of this is well outside my comfort zone, but I can chip away at it…

My plan is to use the OPS ‘shared endeavour’ blogs topics planned for next year to help build the picture. These include maps, landmarks, pubs, places of worship, and women in your place.  

To be honest I find the idea of using maps both exciting and terrifying.  I can get lost going to the next street! However, I have posted a colourful topographical map which I found really interesting and have signed up to learn something more about maps, so watch this space. Pubs – could be challenging, if I tell you my ancestors built a house they called Temperance Cottage…. but I am starting somewhere relatively ‘safe’, Sticklepath Bridge.

Step 3 Populate

Work on a database of residents has already given me a new sense of how inter-related the local villages and villagers were.  Once the 1851 census database is completed (perhaps by April?) I will be able to look at overall population statistics and profiles.  I am also keen to bring in softer evidence, the stories that have been captured in various places which bring character to the people and families.  Such things I am sharing on my (free) WordPress blog and Facebook page. 

Step 4 Collect a list of sources and bring the data together.  A huge range of potential sources: biographical data from the Parish registers and gravestones; information about dwellings, buildings and institutions such as the school; Organisations such as the temperance movement in the village, scouts, political meetings; Details of events including who was present;  Seeking out oral testimony, diaries, letters etc.; newspaper reports, directories; road changes; deeds, wills and probate. (Bearing in mind that many Devon Wills were lost in the bombing of Exeter).

Whilst I have made a start on this I need to both find a way to organise the information and to ensure that I include all possible sources.  Once this is progressing I can start Step 5, to Connect, not just people in family groups, but people with places, and people with events. Connect them with a view to analysis (Step 6) and synthesising (Step 7) such as focusing on a time period or theme to draw new conclusions. I hope to use ‘NameandPlace’ software to facilitate this.  Step 8 is to Contextualise, look at Sticklepath within historical contexts, comparing the locality to regional and national patterns, perhaps comparing and contrasting with other Devon Villages for example.  

As you can see there is a huge amount of potential work here. It should come with a warning about how addictive it quickly becomes!  

Step 9 is to  disseminate or share findings.  For me an early step, with a very steep learning curve, had to be creating a website and ‘blog’.  This indeed is my 21st blog post – I feel I have come of age!  Still lots to learn about making better blogs (and shorter!) with links. High quality research I feel is for the future. Many people wait until they have more material but for me sharing the information is key, and I am hoping it will enable more people to collaborate or contribute.  I have made contact with Sticklepath Heritage Group and did a display and talk a couple of years back.  I hope this link can be developed further as there are so many aspects to explore and I have a sense that this is a key moment to capture the early photos and documents and local knowledge of the 19th and 20th centuries before it is lost. We have the technology!

I have also published some thoughts on Blacksmiths in ‘Our Place’ using Sticklepath as my main example, my ‘Christmas Present’ arriving on 24th December, in the form of Destinations the Society newsletter. (Available to members).

I have found others conducting one-place studies have been very encouraging and supportive, willing to share ideas, methodology and good practice.  Zoom and Twitter have rather taken over in 2020 from socialising at choir and orchestra during lockdown! So many opportunities online now, many free, to improve your knowledge and skills in family history. Many village history groups on social media willing to offer advice. Others like Devon Family History Society have opened their meetings using Zoom to those of us who could not attend in person – just £12 for the whole year – with many records accessible by members online!

Step 10 is about sharing the enthusiasm, encouraging more people to consider one-place studies.  I suppose this is a small step in that direction.  

Happy New Year

References

Few, Janet Ten Steps to a One-Place Study Blue Poppy Publishing (2020) 210mm x 148mm paperback 52 pages £5.00 ISBN: 978 1 911438 18 2 

Pharos https://www.pharostutors.com/coursesmainsd.php

Shields, Helen. Walking Sticklepath through the Centuries: Part 1, Devon Family Historian, vol. 170, (2019) pp.20-25.

Shields, Helen. Walking Sticklepath through the Centuries: Part 2, Devon Family Historian, vol. 171, (2019) pp.19-23.

Shields, Helen. Walking Sticklepath through the Centuries: Part 3, Devon Family Historian, vol. 172, (2019) pp.19-23.

https://www.one-place-studies.org (Check out the blog summarising great genealogical sites each month, and the numerous videos under ‘resources’, Destinations newsletter for members which includes those considering starting a One Place Study at some time in the future).

http://www.oneplacestudy.org – Directory with links to the fantastic websites of many One Placers.

I Will! Death records.

On By HelenFinchIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

When I lived in Malawi (2010-12) it became very clear that planning for something eg getting a fire extinguisher to deal with any potential fire, was tantamount to inviting the fire to happen. It was difficult to plan anything in advance. Of course the English think differently – or do we? Why do we find it so difficult to write our Will? I will get around to it…. We might not want to think about our own mortality but Covid has rather brought it to the fore. Unlike a fire which we all hope to avoid, death is inevitable, we just hope it is a way off. In the event, it is so helpful to our relatives or friends if it is clear what should happen to our possessions. Of course this can include making a plan for our family history items.

Soldiers were encouraged to make a Will before going into battle. These can be found on Gov.uk in a separate tab section). Admission to hospital for whatever reason can similarly focus the mind. I updated my Will recently after a change of address, but with any change of circumstances (eg grandchildren or family bereavements) you should consider changing your will or adding a codicil to clarify your wishes. However, the costs if you involve a solicitor are very considerable. Do ask in advance is all I can say!

It was timely therefore when I came across some historic receipts and accounts of the costs surrounding creating and administering wills, which I share with you today. I have also been surprised by how many relatives have made or updated their will in their final weeks. ‘Lucky’ to get warning of their impending doom I suppose. My 2x gt grandmother wrote hers but did not get time to sign it.

Wills can of course be invaluable to the genealogist, giving relationships, married names of daughters, occupations, addresses, an idea of wealth and lifestyle, property owned etc etc etc. It can also help create a timeline of events.

In August 1945 Albany Finch, my great grandfather, became ill and clearly realized his life was at risk. We have an unsigned original copy of his last will and testament dated 22nd August 1945, witnessed by neighbours from Ska View Cottages Margaret R Tucker and Frank Richards. From the will we can learn about all his surviving children. In particular, that his son Alfred James Finch, a clerk, was settled with his family in South America.  Albany believed, correctly, that his daughter Phyllis was a civilian internee in Stanley Camp, Hong Kong. There were huge concerns for the safety and well-being of Phyllis who had been serving as a missionary in China and was subsequently interned by the Japanese for the full duration of the war with very little if any communication.

Albany did not live long enough to see the end of the war on 2nd September. He died on 29th August 1945. Phyllis arrived back in England in December. Imagine for her, after the terrible ordeal of a long internment to arrive home only a few weeks after her father died, very sad. It is perhaps only at a time of “lockdown” that we can begin to comprehend the impact of such separations and bereavements, at a time when global communication was far from what is possible today.

There are several other useful sources of information created around a death. The memorial inscription can be informative, perhaps a newspaper obituary, the death certificate, and probate records. Albany’s gravestone mentions his three infant children buried there which we may otherwise not have known about.

The Western Morning News on Tuesday 30 August 1945 said:

“The death took place at Cleave House, Sticklepath yesterday morning of Mr. Albany George Finch. He was in his 82nd year. He was one of the best- known public men in the district, a devoted member of the Methodist Church, and a Liberal. A magistrate, chairman of governors of Okehampton Grammar School, and long-standing member of Okehampton Guardians Committee.” The list of mourners hints at wider family members and friends as well as representatives of organisations he was involved with..

The death was certified by Dr C.J.Sharp. At that time village doctors would have used a microscope to help diagnose illness. He said the cause of death was ‘Leuco-Erythroblastic Anaemia’, a diagnosis based on the microscopic appearance of the blood, one commonly associated with advanced cancer. Albany was buried in Sticklepath with his first wife Mary.

The Death Certificate of Albany George Finch Male Edge Tool Maker aged 81y died 29 August 1945 at Cleave House Sticklepath, Sampford Courtenay R.D. Informant Muriel C. Bowden daughter also of Cleave House Sticklepath near Okehampton. Registered on 30th August 1945.Walter Newcombe Registrar sub-district Tawton I the County of Devon. The Red one penny stamp on the certificate reminds us George VI was king.

Probate was granted 6 Feb 1947 to his two daughters Jessie Emma Barron, widow and Muriel Ching Bowden, wife of Charles and to Ralph Finch Edgetool Manufacturer.

Ralph was his nephew, and right hand man in the business. Albany’s will is largely concerned with the business and what will happen to that. Clearly as the end of the second world war was approaching economic times were hard, rationing was in place. Albany was also aware that the production of tools by hand was becoming outdated, he and his brothers had already diversified considerably. The wording of the will is very gentle in regard to continuing the business if the local relatives want to, and what to do if, or when, they don’t want to. Albany left the proceeds of the business equally to his 4 children. Wills can potentially give a huge amount of information about the situation and family dynamics.

Sometimes, for example if the eldest son has already been given support to set up in business he may be mentioned in the will but appear to be unequally treated. There can be other reasons for an unequal split, for example grand estates tended to go to one person so it would not be split up and lost.

Beatrice Mary Bowden, Mrs William Hellier, who we met in the last post, was more organised – making her will in 1967, 2 weeks before her 87th birthday, at a cost of one pound and a shilling (a Guinea). She lived a further 5 years.

Her mother Mary Ann Bennett, Mrs Emanuel Bowden, born in 1861, was even more organised, making her will in 1935, she continued to live until 1949. Her solicitors charged just 5 shillings (25p).

The executors account for probate outlines other costs associated with the death and administration. In 1972, the year after decimalisation, Redstone’s charged just under £60 for Beatrice’s funeral, with almost £5 additional funeral expenses claimed by the executors. Probate Court fees were £3.30. The solicitor charged £32 including VAT. She left her estate to be divided between surviving siblings.

What a dramatic difference in costs less than 50 years later! Not only that but we no longer pay our dues in stamps, long gone are the threepenny bits and 10 shilling notes of my childhood and £1 notes. Local shops no longer send a monthly bill to regular customers. Cash is hardly used in these Covid times, but in 1972 credit cards were frowned upon by many. (Barclay introduced credit cards 1966 in UK). Debit cards weren’t introduced in UK until 1987. No one in 1972 imagined we would do most of our ‘transactions’ with the wave of a phone, a fingerprint, or click of a computer button!