Reading and books for the 118th Carnival of Genealogy

For over 30 years, I worked in a public library so I would be remiss if I didn't write something about books and reading.


My mother liked to read. I do not know if books were plentiful when she was growing up on the Manitoulin Island but I know she loved it when she came to Owen Sound to finish her high school that there was a public library here. In those days, you were limited to the number of books you could borrow at a time, so she was a regular visitor as she soon had read her selections. She kept for quite a few years, a small notebook with a list of what she had read. I don't know if I still have it. It could be in one of the unpacked boxes.

My mom and dad also purchased the condensed Reader's Digest books -- a way to read many of the popular books when you didn't have a lot of time. When they had the supermarket, they worked long hours. When I travelled with my parents to some Caribbean Islands, we would spend many hours reading and relaxing.

I had a library card as a child but I don't recall titles from the early years. My siblings and I had a small collection of books. I remember as a pre-teen and teen, curling up with books at the cottage, especially on a rainy day. I read the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, Sue Barton nurse stories and Cherry Ames.

The first five years working at the library, I spent in children's services. Oh how I loved reading the picture books to the children in the pre-school group, "My Mother and I'. As part of my reader's advisory work, I needed to know the collection, so it was my delight to bring home children's books to read.

I have found since I got interested in genealogy, my reading has changed from reading mostly fiction to reading more non-fiction books, journals and magazines. In fiction, I enjoy mysteries, historical fiction and family stories. My personal library collection consists mainly of reference type material relating to genealogy and local history.

When I retired, I joined a book club, which has introduced me to some authors that I would not likely have picked up, but I have really enjoyed reading. During the year, we have several months where it is reader's choice: a particular author or a summer read. For the other months, a variety of books are chosen. The group purchases with our monthly fee several copies of each title that are shared amongst our small group. This year, to encourage more discussion, we are taking turns on being the discussion leader. So far this has been working out well. We also love to eat and chat about what is going on.

One book on our reading list was Kate Grenville's The Secret River, an historical fiction based on her great-great-great grandfather. This lead me to read Searching for the Secret River: a Writing Memoir. This is a book I would recommend to genealogists and local historians as it describes her research process in Australia and England to get the background story of her ancestor.

© 2012 Janet Iles

Carnival of Genealogy - Finds on the 1940 US census

Not wanting to be left out of all the excitement of the release of the 1940 United States census, I asked myself, who of my relatives that went to the United States would be living in 1940. I went to my family history database and did some checking. There should be at least one Hemingway family, a Stiver family and of course, the two siblings of my grandmother Iles, Josiah and Gilbert Dudley.

Thanks to Ancestry.com making circa 1930 documents available for free up until the 10th of April, I decided to take advantage of this opportunity to see what I could find about the Dudley brothers. I had never searched for them in any of the American census records. I knew that one had gone to Boston, Massachusetts and one had gone to Providence, Rhode Island. I mentioned them in a recent article about their mother.

Josiah Gilbert Dudley
A search of the 1930 census found him listed as J Gilbert Dudley, aged 55 with wife Mary E. aged 55 and Esther Barlow, his sister-in-law, living in Providence, Rhode Island at 106 Porter Street. They were renting a place for $35 a month. He is listed as a designer of stained glass. Knowing their enumeration district and the Steve Morse conversion of the ed, I was able to locate the family in the 1940 census living in the same dwelling.

Sister-in-law, Esther provided the information for the enumerator. They were now paying $30 a month as rent. Gilbert is 64; Mary is 65 and Esther is 59. They all were born in England. The two sisters came to the United States in 1891 and Gilbert came in 1892. Gilbert's occupation is listed as artist, owner in a Stained Glass works. Esther is a secretary to a physician. Mary has no occupation listed.

I was also able to locate an index entry on Familysearch for Josiah G Dudley, 35, in 1910 in ward 6 of Providence Rhode Island with his wife, Mary E., 35, and daughter Marion G. aged 11 years. His year of immigration is given as 1893. Familysearch also has the 1915 Rhode Island State Census entry for them. Ancestry.com has the marriage index for Rhode Island. It gives the marriage of Mary E. Barlow and Josiah G. Dudley as 21 December 1897.

While on the Ancestry.com website, I decided to check for his naturalization information. I located it and learned that Josiah Gilbert Dudley arrived at the port of Boston, Massachusetts on 14 June 1892 and was naturalized 25 June 1904 and was living at 71 Rugby Street. His place of birth is given as Derby, England.

Charles Henry Dudley
In 1930, Charles H. Dudley, aged 53 is living on Cottage Street in Boston Massachusetts with his wife Jennie M., aged 42 and born in Connecticut, and son Gilbert C. aged 19 years. Charles owned his home and it was valued at $10,000. Charles was a barber. His year of immigration was given as 1908. I had always thought that he had left England earlier than my grandmother (his sister). Ten years later, their home's value has decreased to $9,000. Jennie provided the information.

Further research provided me with more information. I located him in the 1910 and 1920 census records. His naturalization record of 9 March 1925, gives his birth information as 22 February 1877 in Matlock, England. He is a barber and his wife's name is Jennie. Charles was living at 700 Columbia Road, Boston. Ancestry.com also has his passenger record. He arrived in Boston on board the Saxonia on 23 July 1908.


My curiosity about the 1940 census led to quite a bit of information on both of my great uncles and clues for further research.


To see photos of the two brothers, see the Wordless Wednesday posting.

© 2012 Janet Iles

Carnival of Genealogy: Women's History Month 2012

For this Carnival, I thought I'd would share what I know about Sarah Mucklow, my great-grandmother.

Sarah was baptized the 16th of September in 1849 in Arrow, Warwickshire. Her parents were John Mucklow and Hannah James. According to Free BMD website, her birth was registered in the September 1/4 1849. This is a record that I could order.

I have her in the census records for 1861 to 1901 -- 1861 in Exhall, 1871 in Alcester, 1881 in Birmingham, 1891 in Aston All Saints Bordesley and 1901, Aston, St. Andrew. So I need to find her in 1851 and 1911.

Sarah married Josiah Dudley 28 July 1867 in Haselor, Warwickshire.

The family story that I have been told about her is that she had 22 children: three sets of twins, two sets of triplets but only four survived to adulthood.

So far, I have found only 5 children
Bertha Ann baptized 10 March 1869 -- she appears on the 1871 census A search of Free BMDs give this listing but not in the 1881 census where you would expect to still find her living with her parents. The following death is likely for her.

death March 1875 quarter

DUDLEY

Bertha Ann

6

Derby

7b

391

 Next I have Joseph Gilbert.
This could be him

birth March 1875 quarter  Dudley

Josiah Gilbert

Derby

7b

479

Next I have Charles H. born about 1875
Could this be his birth registration
birth June quarter 1877

Dudley

Charles Henry

Bakewell

7b

753

Both Joseph and Charles move to the United States to live.

My grandmother, Emily Lily was born 31 January 1884 in Birmingham.
Her registration March quarter 1884

Dudley

Emily Lily

Birmingham

6d

74

The last known child was Rose who was born 8 May 1889.
This is likely her registration - June quarter 1889.

Dudley

Rose May

Aston

6d

289

Sarah's husband died 17 November 1901. Josiah's trade had been a bricklayer.

Although, I have been told by relatives that Sarah died in 1922, the registration that looks like a match for her is not until 1924.

Deaths Sep quarter 1924
Dudley Sarah 56 Birmingham 6d 198

As I review what I know about her, I see there are large gaps between some of the known children.  Did she actually have 22 children? That remains to be seen.

---


Baptism: Sarah Mucklow baptismal record Arrow Parish Church, Warwickshire, microfilm 549945, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bertha Ann Dudley baptismal record Alcester Warwickshire Parish Records. FHL #0537290
Sarah Mucklow -- Josiah Dudley marriage Church of England. Parish Church of Haselor p. 26 FHL 557286 item 1
© 2012 Janet Iles

Flash Family History - Johnston and Love

The following is a flash family history for my maternal grandparents. I didn't get this completed in time for the Carnival of Genealogy. The histories are each less than 300 words. I found these more difficult to write as I know less about my maternal grandparents. I had been raised across the road from my paternal grandparents up to the age of seven and then since we lived in the same city we saw them regularly. I attended my paternal grandparents' funerals but not those of my maternal grandparents.


Janet Johnston (for whom I am named) was born in 1 May 1883 in Sandfield Township, Manitoulin Island, Ontario. Her parents were Josiah Hemingway Johnston and Agnes Chambers. She was the middle child with four siblings older than her and four younger than her. They were Isaac Maurice, Mary Elizabeth, James Earnest, Gordon Rudman, David Augustus, Amy Isabel, Charles and Walter Lloyd.


On 11 May 1909, she married John Thomas Love of Carnarvon Township at the home of her parents’ in Silver Bay. Janet who often went by Gertrude (her middle name) or Gertie moved to the Love family farm near Mindemoya where they raised five children: Agnes Elizabeth, Winifred Eleanor, James Everett, Ross Augustus and Marion Gertrude. Across the lane lived her husband’s parents and his siblings.

My mother in a journal wrote: "I remember my mother as always rushing around doing things & waiting on us." Isn't it interesting that is my picture of her too? In latter years, Janet was very stooped over. During her life, she never had an electric refrigerator. I can picture her running around to the side of the house to go to the basement to get things that had been put in the cold cellar to cool. Electricity came first to the barn. I can't recall if they had indoor plumping during her lifetime. There was a large wood stove in the kitchen and a door at the bottom of the stairs going up to the bedrooms.



Allied family names from the marriages of her siblings are Smith and Wilson. Allied family names from the marriages of her children are Cox and Iles.

Janet died in 14 June 1958 in Carnarvon Township. She is buried in the Mindemoya Cemetery, Lot 16, Concesssion 3 Carnarvon Township.

John Thomas Love was born in 25 August 1884 to James Love and Elizabeth Fields Robinson in Carnarvon Township, Manitoulin Island. The majority of his life was spent on the family farm. His siblings were Jane, Agnes Hamilton, Cora, Norman Luther, Laura Jane, Ethel Mae, James Lorne, Margaret Isabel and Grace Elizabeth. Jane, Agnes, Norman and James died at a very young age. John’s father died tragically in a farm accident in 1914.

John’s home where he raised his family was across the lane from where he had lived until his marriage. He married Janet Gertrude Johnston of Sandfield Township at the home of her parents’ in Silver Bay on 11 May 1909. John and Janet had five children: Agnes Elizabeth, Winifred Eleanor, James Everett, Ross Augustus and Marion Gertrude (my mother).



John was according to my mother a very strict person. He ate potatoes at every meal. John died 7 March 1961 in Little Current at the home of his eldest sister. He is buried in the Mindemoya Cemetery, Lot 16, Concession 3, Carnarvon Township.



Allied family names from the marriages of his sisters are: McGill, Hopkins, Miller, Wilson and Boyd. Allied family names from the marriages of his children are Cox and Iles.© 2011 Janet Iles

Flash Family History -- Iles and Dudley

Each of their stories are 300 words or less.

Born in Naunton, Gloucestershire, England on 1 February 1885, my paternal grandfather, William George Iles, was the eldest son of George Iles and Emily Pugh. Because of the nature of his father's work as a bone and rag man, hawker and later a grocery carter, the family moved many times. His siblings were Edith, Alice, Ethel, Albert Valentine, Emmanuel James, Harold Edward, and Lillian Ruth. By 1900, the family was living in Small Heath, Birmingham, England.


William was employed with the railways. In 1903, he married Emily Lily Dudley. He immigrated to Canada in 1905 with his wife and young daughter, May, his mother and siblings. His father most likely came the previous year.

In World War I, William served his country with the 58th Canadian Infantry Battalion in France as a bandsman and a stretcher bearer. William was employed as a nickle-plater with the Empire Stove and Furnace Company in Owen Sound for 45 years.

William began playing cornet as a boy of 14 in England and he soon joined a Salvation Army Band. When he came to Owen Sound, he reorganized the Salvation Army Band and became its bandmaster. He also took over leadership of the Legion Band that eventually became the Owen Sound City Band. It is through his work with the brass bands in the city that he became best known. He taught many young people how to play a brass instrument.

William died in 1964.

William and Emily had at least ten children: Edith May, Iva Ella, Daisy Gladys, Clarence William Albert, Wilfred George Dudley, Harold Ballantyne (my father), William, Clifford Harvey, Emanuel Kenneth, and William Charles.

Allied surnames through the marriage of his sisters are Dyson, Fearnall, and Brooks. Allied surnames through the marriage of his daughters are: Litherland, Banks, and Barber.

Emily Lily Dudley was born in 31 January 1884 in Birmingham, England, to Josiah Dudley, a bricklayer, and Sarah Mucklow. Three siblings, Joseph Gilbert, Charles and Rose May, lived to adulthood.

In 1901, Lil's father died. Two years later, she married William George Iles, in the Register office.

Lily came to Canada in 1905 with her husband, baby girl, May, William's mother and his siblings. Her brothers had already immigrated to the United States. She left behind in England, her sister, Rose and her mother, Sarah.

The 1911 census shows the George and William Iles families living outside Owen Sound. What a contrast after living in the crowded city of Birmingham. The family moved into Owen Sound, a small town, where Lil lived the rest of her life.

Until her death, Lily was a member of the Salvation Army, but her husband and some of the boys left the Salvation Army to join the United Church of Canada. I have been told that she played the timbrel (similar to a tambourine).She was an active member of the Home League.

Lil was mother to nine who lived to adulthood: three daughters and six sons, with none living now. During World War II, five sons served with the Canadian Armed Forces. Fortunately, all returned home.

She knit baby sets and sweaters for her young grandchildren. She was grandma to over thirty grand-children. When she got older and her vision was getting poorer, grandpa wrote out the patterns on cardboard to make it easier for her to follow.

They celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary with a family dinner. In attendance were her six sons and three daughters, twenty-eight grandchildren and thirty-three great grandchildren.

In her later years, she became quite frail, but she still had the sparkle in her eyes. She died in 1967.

Too late for the COG, I  posted stories about my maternal grandparents.

© 2012 Janet Iles

Carnival of Genealogy: A Charles Dickens Christmas

Charles Dickens Christmas - Christmas Past, Present and Future

I have lots of memories of Christmas past but I will share one. When I was a young girl, our family lived across the road from my paternal grandparents. We could visit them often. Of course, we went over either on Christmas Day or Boxing Day to visit them. Often we would see our other aunts and uncles and cousins who also had come to visit.

I am not sure when this photo was taken of my grandfather William Iles and my grandmother Emily Lily Iles nee Dudley (seated) and my aunt May. I would think either late 1950s or early 1960s. It is interesting to note the items in the background: the record player, the Christmas Cards, the TV. etc. On the wall are photos. The one in the upper left corner is of my Dad in his army uniform.

Christmas Present
This Christmas my focus is on getting ready to move in a couple of weeks. I did not decorate at all. Christmas I will attend the last Christmas Eve Service at Knox United.

Christmas Day, I will spend with my nephews and their partners/spouses and their mom and uncle. As I write, I don't know the details but I am looking forward to getting together. Update: Christmas morning, I will attend the church service at Knox. Then in the afternoon, I will get together with the family.

Christmas Future
I would like to host a Christmas get together at my new home with my siblings, nieces and nephews and great niece(s) and great nephew(s) present. The place would be decorated and we would enjoy good food. I don't know if all could come but I can dream.




© 2011 Janet Iles

IGene Awards for 2010 - Carnival of Genealogy

Once again, the excitement is mounting as readers find out what I consider to be best of my blogs for 2010 in several categories.

First - Best Biography and Best Documentary goes to [drum roll] Emily Pugh Iles - Carnival of Genealogy Tribute to Women and its sequel Emily Pugh Iles - Who were her parents?

I have spoken about Emily frequently during talks as her story and the research I have done can be used as examples for many topics. The tribute to her received many comments.

The Best Screen Play goes to [drum roll] May 31, 1985 - the day of the Barrie tornado. - the settings would be Barrie and Owen Sound. As per usual, I don't know who I would cast in the various roles but there is lots of drama in the story.

The Best Picture goes to [drum roll] a photo of my uncle Bill and his cousin Madeline. They are both about the same age.  It is a cute photo of the two of them, but what makes the photo special is that children of Madeline saw a photo of her that they had never seen before. Both live in Europe.

The Best Comedy goes to [drum roll] a photo called Who Caught all those Fish? Everyone is all dressed up but they are holding a string of fish.

Now those are my choices. Do you agree? All the best to all the other genealogy bloggers. I hope you had some postings that you choose to highlight.


© 2010 Janet Iles

Carnival of Genealogy 101 - My Genealogy Research/Writing Plan for 2011

The topic for the 101st edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is: My genealogy research/writing plan for 2011. Figure out what you think you can accomplish in 2011 and write it up on your blog. Then share it with us in the COG!

It is good to set goals and prepare a plan to help focus oneself. Now, we don't always achieve our goals or follow our plan but if we don't think about what we what to do, we can get scattered and accomplish little. Well that sounds good but I am not always the greatest planner and I am not always good at keeping focused but let's see if I can do it for the coming year.

Goal 1: Complete the book on the Soldiers from Knox United (then Presbyterian) in the First World War. Most of the research is done, I think. I may find out differently when I go to work on writing about each one. I have started the writing on about four or five. There are 23 men involved with two being siblings.
Plan: To focus on one a week, finishing research and writing. That will take me to the end of June.
To decide how I am going to publish it and distribute it. It is not meant to be for a large distribution but I wanted the information about them in writing so that it is preserved for future generations.

Publish by September 14, 2011 (92 years after the organ was dedicated in memory of these men).

Goal 2: To update the family history that I did for first for my brother and sister and then updated it again for my four Iles nephews. This is not a full blown history but it focuses on the main people in my parents' lines. My parents are the focus in the book. The first two versions were done for 3 ring binders done on my computer and printed out on my ink-jet printer. This time it will be for all my nieces, nephews and my siblings.

Plan: Add information to my genealogy software that I found while I was at Salt Lake City in August.
Add the appropriate people and information to the "book".
Review what I have and decide if there is further research that I could do to make the information and stories more appealing to non-genealogists.
Look for maps and photos that might be useful.
Decide on how it will be produced. - 10 copies needed.
To accomplish this all before Christmas 2011. 

How well I do on this will be dependent of course on what else is happening in my life. When you work as a freelance researcher, you do not know how much work you will have and when it will occur. I have two talks booked already. I am also President of two organizations. All I can do is my best and try to focus on these two goals.

© 2010 Janet Iles

101 Carnival of Genealogy = Call for Submissions has me thinking.

I am taking a break from the Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories for a couple of postings.

Jasia over at Creative Gene has posted the prompt for the 101 Carnival of Genealogy. She polled her readers for the suggestion for the topic. The top choice was ---

My genealogy research/writing plan for 2011. Figure out what you think you can accomplish in 2011 and write it up on your blog.

 There is no limit on entries for this COG. It will help us to focus our resolutions for 2011. I think this will be good for me to write something and put it in the public view. I may also print it out and post in my office as a reminder. Now to get thinking. 

© 2010 Janet Iles

Carnival of Genealogy #100 - Every family has one

 The Carnival of Genealogy has reached 100. The topic for each edition of the carnival challenges us (the blog writers) to think about our family stories and our genealogy. This is a reunion and everyone is invited who has participated in past COGs. This is my 40th posting for a Carnival of Genealogy. Thanks to Jasia for being the host and creator of the Carnival of Genealogy.

Every family has one. Since this is a reunion, I have chosen to highlight a photographer at family gatherings. On my mother's side of the family, it was her Aunt Margaret, who with her Brownie camera, took photographs at many family events. I have written about her in the past.

On my dad's side, not counting my dad, I would choose my cousin Wilfred (Wilf). He was called young Wilf to distinguish him from his uncle.

A bit of background on my cousin Wilfred.

Wilf was born in Owen Sound 1935. He was the first of six children born to his parents, Clarence Iles and Myrtle Taylor. Here is a four generation photo with his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Clarence Iles, William Iles, in front

George Iles and Wilf Iles

For 41 years, Wilf worked for Edwards of Canada. He was active with Y's men Clubs internationally. In 1968/69, he received the Elmer Crowe Award. He was a well read person and loved to go to author signings to get a signed copy of books by his favourite authors. He was a member of the Dickens Fellowship Club (Toronto Chapter). He also enjoyed travelling to other countries. Wilf never married but he was very good to his nieces and nephews and their children. Unfortunately, he died of cancer in 2009.
e care of them. I was fortunate to receive some of my Aunt Margaret's photos. I have special memories Wilf  Iles 1949

Wilf Iles in Israel - year unknown

If there was a family reunion or a special birthday party you could count on Wilf to be there and he would be busy taking photos. In later years, he also had a camcorder. I know he was good at sending copies of photos out to people but I hope that his many photos and albums went to someone who will take care of them. I was fortunate to receive some of my Aunt Margaret's photos.

I have special memories of Wilf. One is of when Wilf came to stay with my brother, sister and me for a week while my parents were away on a holiday. He was out almost every evening at meetings. We were old enough to be on our own most of the time so we only needed someone there overnight. He and I had some good chats over the phone in later years and we talked a bit about family history.

A couple of years ago, he and I went to the cemetery to find where our great-grandparents are buried. We had to go to the office first as we needed to be shown the location. There is no monument but foot markers saying mother and father. Wilf took photos of the location and later sent them to me.

I hope your family has a photographer who takes photos at special family events.


© 2010 Janet Iles

Carnival of Genealogy - Religious Rites a long standing tradition in our family

The topic for the 99th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy will be: Religious Rites. 

The earliest marriage record I have is for the marriage of my great-great-great grandparents, Richard Iles and Patience Blandford at the Parish Church in Brimpsfield, Gloucestershire 21 October 1822. It was there that they brought their fourteen children for baptism.

James Iles, my great-great grandfather, married Louisa Belcher also at the Parish Church in Brimpsfield. on 10 July 1845. James was a shepherd. The church records show that his work must have taken the family to other small communities as the children are baptized in different parishes.

Baptismal Dates and Locations
Albert - 31 August 1845 - Withington, Gloucestershire, England
Isaac  - 23 May 1847 - Brimpsfield, Gloucestershire, England

Eliza Jane - 2 November 1856 - Lower Swell, Gloucestershire,  England
Susan - 2 November 1856 - Lower Swell, Gloucestershire,  England
Mary Jane - 2  November 1856 - Lower Swell, Gloucestershire,  England

Eliza Jane, Susan and Mary Jane are not triplets but for some reason, they were baptized on the same day.
Alice - 1 February 1857 - Lower Swell, Gloucestershire, England
George  (my great-grandfather) - 2 January 1859 - Guiting Lower, Gloucestershire, England

I do not have baptismal records for the younger children: Charlotte, Emmanuel and Timothy.

Researchers seek out Parish records to learn about the milestone events in our ancestors' lives, prior to civil registration, which began in mid-1837 in England. Although baptismal records do not necessarily give the date of birth or burial records the date of death, these church records do provide helpful information. I know that I am happy to see that my ancestors' received the blessing of the church for these special events. I have not searched for baptismal records after 1859 for the Iles family.

My parents brought each of us for our baptismal service to Knox United, Owen Sound, when we were babies. The parents and babies lined the front of the sanctuary. I have my baptismal certificate. For many years, it was rolled up but I have placed in an archival sleeve so that I can show it and preserve it. In the past, the newspaper recorded the names of those baptized.

Some of my relatives are/were members of the Salvation Army. They do not have infant baptism but have a dedication service. According to family information, my great-aunt, Rose Dudley who was born in 1889, was the first child to be dedicated in the newly built Salvation Army Hall in Small Heath, Birmingham, England. Some family members have been or are Salvation Army officers both in Canada and England. They would have had an ordination service after completion of their studies.


Before I had my confirmation ceremony, I attended classes Sunday afternoons at the church for about a month. In those days, you didn't take your first communion until after confirmation. Now, in our church, little ones participate in the communion service.

 I am happy that my family has a long standing tradition of participating in religious rites in whichever church they attended.

© 2010 Janet Iles

Carnival of Genealogy - Scrapbooking my parents' wedding photos

This month's theme is Scrapbooking your Family History.

I haven't done much scrapbooking. My first was a project several years ago for my sister-in-law's birthday.

Above are two pages. I have chosen to show photos and newspaper clippings about my parents' marriage in 1946. They were married at the church manse on a Wednesday afternoon. It was a small wedding. The newspaper clipping tells about the details of my mom's wedding dress and that of her attendant.

The first page was begun in a workshop and I finished it for the COG and the second page is a new creation. I could see doing several more pages to tell the story of how they met, when they got engaged, etc.

© 2010 Janet Iles

Swimsuit Edition of the Carnival of Genealogy - Bathing Beauties?

 1985 turned out to be an interesting year, not all positive, but my parents and I began it off right with a two week holiday in Cuba early in January. We stayed at Villas Cuba near Varadero. Once part of the Dupont Estate, there was a small hotel section but it consisted mainly of Villas.

Back in 1985, many of the accommodations in Cuba often required sharing washroom facilities with others unless you paid extra to not share. We were in luck. My parents specified that they wanted private bath and so did I.  Our villa had three bedrooms but because of our request one bedroom remained unused. Our villa also had a maid's quarters. Our maid did not stay over but used it to change in to her uniform. She was great.

 Our villa across from the office area and restaurant.

We had beautiful areas in front and behind our building to sit and read when we were not on the beautiful sandy beach.

 My mother and I in front of the villa. Mom is writing in her travel journal.

 My dad and I on the beach. 

Notice the beautiful sandy beach. It was the closest to the feel of Sauble Beach sand that we ever saw during our travels. I note on the back of the photo that you can't see my Spanish text book. I was studying while I was there, as I was taking a university course in Spanish that year.

There are no photos in my album of us in the water. Were we bathing beauties?

© 2010 Janet Iles

Emily Pugh Iles (Carnival of Genealogy - A Tribute to Women)

 Emily (Pugh) Iles, my great-grandmother, has always fascinated me. I have shared my search to learn about her life in many of my lectures. Using her as my example, I illustrate the importance of searching as many sources as possible to round out the picture of a person and to help resolve conflicting information. I still have many unanswered questions about her life. I am sad that I have no photos of her.
Let me introduce  my great-grandmother to you.

Emily Pugh was born in July 1860 in the Maugersbury Workhouse, near Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.  Her mother, Hannah Pugh and 11 year old sister, Mary Ann were living in the Workhouse. [1] Hannah saw to it that her daughter was baptized but no birth registration has been found.

Emily PUGH, baptised August 17th 1860, daughter of Hannah PUGH, in the Workhouse, parish of Donnington, by J.A.HILL, Chaplin of the Workhouse. [2]

 No mention is given of her father's name. Was Hannah a single mother?

So let's go back before Emily's birth.

On 13 May 1850, Hannah Cowley, daughter of Thomas Cowley married Charles Pugh, son of Alexander Pugh in King Sutton's Parish Church, Brackley Northhamptonshire. [Hampshire] [3] On the 4 September 1850, Hannah gave birth to a little baby girl, Mary Ann at Donnington. [4]

At the time of the 1851 census, Hannah Pugh and one year old Mary Ann are found with Hannah's father, a widower, Thomas Cowley, in the hamlet of Donnington, Gloucestershire. Hannah had also been born there.[5]

Sometime, between 1851 and 1860 Hannah and daughter, Mary Ann moved to the Maugersbury Workhouse. [6] Did Thomas Cowley die? What happened to Charles Pugh?

Emily was born in July 1860 and we find the three Pughs in 1861 at the time of the census still living in the Workhouse. [7]

 When Emily was five years old, her mother, on 7 October 1865,  married William Clifford

1865 marriage solemnized in the Baptist Chapel in Stow on the Wold in the District of Stow on the Wold in the County of Gloucester & Worcester

no. 192 Seventh day of October 1865 William Clifford age 40 years, widower, labourer residence Lower Swell, father Daniel Clifford, Mason to Hannah Pugh, age 39 years widow residence Lower Swell, father Thomas Cowley, labourer [8]

How did Hannah Pugh meet William Clifford? This is not known. However, the 1851 census, shows William Clifford at household #4 and Hannah and Mary Ann Pugh and Thomas Cowley at household #14 in the hamlet of Donnington. [9]

William Clifford's first wife, Mary Bowyer likely had died in the late 1850s leaving him with three children.  [10]

In 1871, the census taker lists Emily as a Clifford. Living in the household are William, Hannah, Austin, 14, Emily, 11, and Sarah, 4. [11]

Ten years later, Emily is shown on the 1881 census, still with her mother and stepfather but now in Broadwell. She is working as a servant. Her relationship to the head of household is given as grand-daughter.  She is not listed as Clifford but Pew (indexed as Rew). This piece of information was found in my early research and threw me off track for a while. What most interesting about this find was that George Illes [sic], a young agricultural labourer was a visitor in the household. [This is  how I found her.] [12]

Several months later, Emily and George are married  15 October 1881. At the time of her marriage, 22-year old Emily is listed as a spinster and that  she was unemployed. Her father, on her marriage registration is given as Charles Pugh deceased.

Their marriage took place in Stow-on-the-Wold, County of Gloucester & Worchester, England,  at the Baptist Church in the District of Stow-on-the-Wold.   Both living at Stow-on-the-Wold. Chas. M. Rawlings, Minister Witnesses: "X" the mark of Austin Clifford and Sarah Clifford [13]

Throughout her husband George's life, he held different jobs. This resulted in the family moving for him to get work. The children's birth registrations lead me to that conclusion.

Emily gave birth to their first daughter, Edith Emily Iles on 21 February 1883 on Bourton-on-the Hill, Gloucestershire. George was working as a farm labourer. [14]

Two years later, she gave birth to my grand-father, William George Iles on 1 February 1885 at Littleworth, Naunton, Gloucestershire. George was working as a bag and bone collector and hawker. [15]

Emily had her second daughter, Alice Iles in Bidford, Alcester, Warwickshire on 6 January1888. George had found work as an agricultural labourer. [16]

Next, Emily gave birth to Ethel Iles in Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire 17 April 1890. George was employed as a farm labourer.  [17] It appears that they stayed in the Aylesbury area as they are living there at the time of the 1891 census and George was working as a grocer's porter. [18] While living there, Emily gave birth to Albert Valentine Iles on 14 February 1892. [19]

When Emily gave birth to Emmanuel James Iles on 8 June 1895, they were back living in Gloucestershire, but now in Cheltenham. George was working as a general labourer. [20] Emily gave birth to another son, Harold Edward Iles 28 October 1897 in the same place. [21]

Emily had her last child, a baby girl, Lillian Ruth Iles on 5 March 1900 in Aston, Birmingham, Warwickshire. [22] Over a period of 17 years, Emily had eight children. George was now working a builder's labourer.

They were enumerated in the 1901 census in Birmingham with George working as a foreman carter. This would be the last time they would appear on a census in England. Emily still had most of the family at home from the little ones at home to William who was now working. [23]

Emily's eldest son, William George Iles married Emily Lily Dudley on 27 January 1903. [24] Emily's mother, Hannah died 7 March 1903 in Stow-on-the-Wold of bronchitis and cardiac failure at the age of 75 years.  [25] Emily became a grandmother the following year, when William and Lily had a daughter Edith May Iles on 28 May 1904. [26]

Emily, her children, daughter-in-law, Emily Lily, and her grand-daughter set sail on board The Quebec at Liverpool, England on 27 April 1905. They arrived in Montreal Quebec on the 7 May 1905. George is not listed in either the outbound or inbound passenger listings. If the 1911 census of Ontario is correct, George may have come out to Canada in 1903. They were bound for Owen Sound. [27]

Emily and family lived both in Derby Township [28] and Owen Sound, Grey County. Sadly, Emily died 20 January 1913. Her father is given as William Clifford and her mother's name unknown.  [29] She had been ill for several years. The newspaper gives her cause of death as dropsy but her death registration says she died from mitral stenosis. [30] Mitral stenosis can cause dropsy.

Three of the boys were still living at home when their mother died. It is interesting to note that the youngest, Lillian (Lily) who hadn't yet had her thirteenth birthday wasn't living at home when her mom died. Had she gone to live with an older sister when her mother became very ill?

The Salvation Army Ensign conducted the funeral services at their home on 9th Avenue East, at the Salvation Army Barracks on 3rd Avenue East and at Greenwood Cemetery where she was buried. (lot 104 Range 6, North East Section) On her grave is the word "mother" on a flat marker.  

Emily (Pugh) Iles died too young. My dad was born three years later. He never knew his grandmother.

Today, I pay tribute to her.
To read more about the research process, Who were her parents?
[1] Maugersbury Workhouse, entry for Hannah Pugh, Mary Ann and Emily Pugh, 1861 Census of England, Maugersbury, Stow-on-the-Wold
[2] Email re baptism from a person on the Rootsweb mailing list who went to the Gloucester Record office and looked up the records for Stow-in-the-Wold for the baptism of Emily Pugh.
[3] Hannah Cowley - Charles Pugh marriage registration #110 (13 May 1850, Parish church in the Parish of King's Sutton in the County of Northampton, certified copy of an entry of marriage, in the Registration District of Brackley, General Register Office
[4] Mary Ann Pugh birth registration #226, (1 October 1850) Stow on the Wold, Counties of Gloucester and Worcester, General Register Office certified copy
[5] Thomas Cowley household, 1851 census of England, Donnington, Stow-on-the-Wold, County of Gloucester, extraction (http://www.allthecotswolds.com)
[6] Maugersbury Workhouse, entry for Hannah Pugh, Mary Ann and Emily Pugh, 1861 Census of England, Maugersbury, Stow-on-the-Wold
[7]Maugersbury Workhouse, entry for Hannah Pugh, Mary Ann and Emily Pugh, 1861 Census of England, Maugersbury, Stow-on-the-Wold
[8] Hannah Pugh - William Clifford marriage registration #172 (7 October 1865), Baptist Chapel Stow on the Wold, Counties of Gloucester & Worcester, certified copy of an entry of marriage, General Register Office
[9] William Clifford and Thomas Cowley household, 1851 census of England, Donnington, Stow-on-the-Wold, County of Gloucester, extraction (http://www.allthecotswolds.com)
[10] William Clifford household, 1861Census of England, Gloucestershire,  Donnington, Stow on the Wold ED 5, folio 92, p. 20, household, 20; microfilm 542868, Family History Library, Salt Lake City
[11] William Clifford household, 1871 Census of England, Gloucestershire, Donnington, RG10/2655 Stow on the Wold. ED 5. folio 97. p. 21. household 22; digital image Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.co.uk)
[12]William Clifford household, 1881 census of England, Gloucestershire, Broadwell, RG 11/2563, ED 5, folio 84, p. 18; microfilm 1341618, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
[13] Emily Pugh - George Iles marriage registration. #86 (15 October 1881), Baptist Chapel, Stow-on-the-Wold, County of Gloucester and Worcester, a certified copy of an entry of marriage from the General Register Office.
[14] Edith Emily Iles birth registration, #40 (5 February 1883), Moreton in Marsh, Shipston on Stour, Counties of Worcester, Warwick & Gloucester, certified copy of an entry of birth, General Register Office
[15] William George Iles birth registration, #20 (28 February 1885), Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, County of Gloucester, certified copy of an entry of birth, General Register Office
[16] Alice Iles birth registration #168 (6 February 1888), Bidford, Alcester, County of Warwick, certified copy of an entry of birth, General Register Office
[17] Ethel Iles birth registration #341 (18 April 1890), Aylesbury, County of Buckingham, certified copy of an entry of birth, General Register Office
[18] George Iles household, 1891 census of England,  Aylesbury, St. Mary, Buckinghamshire, RG 12/1145, Aylesbury, ED4, Folio 78, p. 28; microfilm 6096255, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah
[19] Albert Valentine Iles birth registration, #66 (22 March 1892), Aylesbury, County of Buckingham, certified copy of an entry of birth, General Register Office
[20] Emmanuel James Iles birth registration #207 (11 July 1895), Cheltenham, County of Gloucester, certified copy of an entry of birth, General Register Office
[21] Harold Edward Iles birth registration #488 (6 December 1897), Cheltenham, County of Gloucester, certified copy of an entry of birth, General Register Office
[22]Lillian Ruth Iles birth registration, #350 (14 April 1900) Deritend, Aston, County of Birmingham, certified copy of an entry of birth, General Register Office
[23] George Iles household, 1901 Census of England, Aston, St. Andrew, Birmingham,Warwickshire, RG 13/2865 Aston Deritend, Folio 30, Page 13, household 79; digital image, Ancestry.com
[24] William George Iles - Emily Lily Dudley marriage registration #146 (26 January 1903), Register Office, District of Aston, County of Birmingham, certified copy of an entry of marriage in the Registration District of Aston, General Register Office
[25] Hannah Clifford death registration #82 (7 March 1903), Stow on the Wold, Counties of Gloucester and Worcester, certified copy of an entry of death, General Register Office
[26] Edith May Iles birth - family information
[27] Ancestry.com. Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008. Original data: Library and Archives Canada. Passenger Lists, 1865-1935. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada, n.d. RG 76-C. Department of Employment and Immigration fonds
[28] George Iles household, 1911 census of Canada, Ontario Grey North (district 73), Derby Township (district 6), Enumeration District 4, dwelling 83, family 87, line 4, p. 9; digital image, Library and Archives Canada, Canadian Genealogy Centre (http://collectionscanada.ca/genealogy : accessed 11 April 2008), citing LAC microfilm T-20373
[29] Emily Iles Ontario death registration #15157 (1913), microfilm, MS 935 Reel 186, Archives of Ontario, Toronto
[30] Emily Iles obituary, 24 January 1913, Owen Sound Sun, p. 7




© 2010 Janet Iles

2009 iGene Awards Nominations (Carnival of Genealogy #90)

It is time to present the 2009 awards in the following categories for the iGene Awards. Jasia of Creative Gene fame is hosting the gala event.

Best Picture - Best old family photo that appeared on your blog in 2009. Tell us which you liked best and why. 
Best Screen Play - Which family story that you shared in 2009 would make the best movie? Who would you cast as your family members? 
Best Documentary - Which was the best informational article you wrote about a place, thing, or event involving your family's history in 2009? 
Best Biography - Which was the best biographical article you wrote in 2009? 
Best Comedy - Which was the best funny story, poem, joke, photo, or video that you shared on your blog in 2009? 

 Without further ado, here are the researchergal nominations. 

 Best Picture goes to Love Family ca 1902. This photo is precious because it shows three generations on my maternal side. In the background is the house where my mother spent much of her time when she was growing up visiting her grandmother Love and great aunt Margaret. It was just across the lane. My grandfather Love is holding his youngest sister. My great grandparents Love and my great great grandparents Robinson are also in the photo.

Best Screen Play  goes to Black Sheep Canadian Ancestors  Key players in this drama would be my fourth great-grandfather and all his fellow travellers, William Berczy and Charles Williamson. The dramatic scene would be the riot. Who would play the characters? I do not know. I do not watch enough movies to name actors and actresses to play the roles. Who would you suggest?

Best Documentary goes to  a pair of carnival submissions about Summer Vacations - Sauble Beach and Manitoulin Island. I have fond memories of both places and I am pleased that I have photographs to illustrate that part of my life.
 

Best Biography goes to  My great Aunt Margaret. I chose this one because I am thankful for the family history information and the photographs she took that have enriched my understanding of the maternal side of the family.

 Best Comedy  goes to  the photo of two of my paternal uncles. They both have the mischevious twinkle in their eyes. "Okay, what mischief can we get into today?"

© 2010 Janet Iles

Creative Gene: Carnival of Genealogy, 87th Edition

Creative Gene: Carnival of Genealogy, 87th Edition:  Jasia has  posted the round up of the most recent Carnival of Genealogy. Wow what a list! Everyone has been busy writing about their resolutions and reviewing the past year.

My resolutions can be found here. I hope I am successful in achieving them.

Thanks Jasia for all your hard work in orchestrating these carnivals.


© 2010 Janet Iles

Resolutions for 2010 - Should I set any? (Carnival of Genealogy)

 Should I set any resolutions or goals for 2010? Before, I answer that question, I want to look at 2009.

For 2009 my resolutions were as follows:
I resolve to
1. finish the soldiers' project
2. spend one hour a week on cleaning up citations in my genealogy program
3. continue research on Emily Iles nee Pugh (write a blog article on Emily)
4. post at least two blog articles a week on this blog
5. post at least two blog articles a month on Graveyard Rabbit of Grey County Ontario.

So how did I do in 2009?
1. The soldiers project is not finished. I had put it aside and when I went back to it, I realized I still needed to do the writing up of my research on the majority of the soldiers. We did have a celebration of the soldiers and the organ that was dedicated to their memory with a musical evening at the end of September.
2. I didn't spend much on cleaning up citations and I definitely didn't spend an hour a week on it.
3. I didn't write about Emily Iles nee Pugh but I did write a posting that concerned her mother Hannah
4. Two blog articles a week - except for a couple of months, I averaged more than two postings a week.
5. On Graveyard Rabbit of Grey County on Ontario - in two months, I only did one posting, but in all the others, I exceeded my goal.

So what did I accomplish in  2009 as it relates to genealogy and history?
1. I taught a four-week night school course in genealogy.
2. In January, I spoke to the Bruce Grey Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society about blogging for genealogists (available on slideshare.net)
3. In March, I spoke to the  Grey County Historical Society about place names in Grey County
4. The Grey County Historical Society elected me to be their Vice-President in April.
5. In October, I became the co-President of the Markham Berczy Settlers Association
6. I have been in contact with various cousins via email concerning family history.
7. I completed another course in English Genealogical Studies concerning taxes, lists, business and electoral and insurance records.
8. I created the Grey County Historical Society blog and write regular articles for it.
9. In February, the Grey County Historical Society website was launched and it is my responsibility to maintain it.
10. I worked on some very interesting and challenging projects for clients.

So, should I make some resolutions for 2010 as most of the things I accomplished were not on my list.

Instead of resolutions, I am going to set some goals.
1. As I told Genea-Santa in my letter, I need to get organized and this applies not only to genealogy. So this is really my most important goal for the  year and then once accomplished, I hope I can maintain it through the year. I am really good at getting started but I get so far and then other projects have my attention and organization doesn't happen.
2. After all the sorting of the family information, before I file the material, I want to make sure that everything is entered in my family database with proper citations.
3. Get more people involved in the Historical Society project of mapping all the churches in Grey County.
4. Write some articles for the Grey County Historian.
5. The soldiers' project is still on the list but what I get done will depend on other projects that will be given a higher profile.
6. Keep up with the blogging. I enjoy writing so I will have no problem in this area.

That's it.

© 2009 Janet Iles

Dear Genea Santa (Carnival of Genealogy)

poster by footnoteMaven

Dear Genea-Santa

I hope you are doing well. This is such a busy time of  year for you as all the genealogists are making their lists of wishes.

In 2009, I have tried to be a very good genealogist, citing my sources, keeping things organized and blogging regularly.

Genea-Santa - Do you have a helper like Peek-a-boo who helps you to see if we are being good genealogists and family historians? If you do, you know organization is one of my biggest problems.

So for this Christmas and 2010, I ask for

1. the gift of organization and the time to do it. (Yes, I know, I have to do my part to do it. If someone came in to organize and file, they wouldn't know that all those charts, photos and documents are so important to genealogists and family historians.)

2. the stick-to-it gene to finish my soldiers project and get it in a form that the information can be shared and preserved.

3. a photo of my great grandmother Emily (Pugh) Iles - I wonder what she looked like.

4. a scanner for slides so I can convert the best photos to a digital format.

Whatever you can give me from this list would be greatly appreciated and I will try my best to do my part.

Janet the Researcher

© 2009 Janet Iles

Creative Gene: Carnival of Genealogy, 84th Edition

Creative Gene: Carnival of Genealogy, 84th Edition

The most recent edition of the Carnival of Genealogy has been posted by Jasia. Thanks for organizing it by the number of postings people have made to the COG and the personal comments you made for each one. Your encouragement is always appreciated.

If you have never read any of the postings of any of the other writers, this carnival of genealogy will give you an idea of what is involved and the types of articles that are written. If you are a genealogy blogger, be sure to give it a try, it is lots of fun.

© 2009 Janet Iles

What the Carnival of Genealogy Means to Me

What the Carnival of Genealogy has meant to you is the challenge of this Carnival of Genealogy.

The COG has been published twice a month for over three years now, 83 editions thus far! It's covered a wide variety of topics and introduced many, many new bloggers and even a new carnival. Here's an opportunity to look back and reflect on when you first discovered the COG and when you first participated in it.

1. What was your favorite topic to write about?

2. Have you guest hosted the COG?

3. Is there an article you've read in the COG that stands out in your mind?

4. What have you learned from reading or writing for the COG?

5. Have you ever recommended the COG to anyone?

6. If you haven't participated in the COG thus far, why not?

7. How has the COG helped your family history research?

8. Has it impacted your life in any way? 

 Jasia has really challenged us with these questions.
1. Favourite Topic - Do I have to pick one? I can't pick just one but favourites so far are:
Who would you invite to dinner  - Guess whose coming to dinner
Tribute to Women - My Great Aunt Margaret
A Place Called Home

There are more that I love. The ones I enjoy the most are those where I can include some photos along with the stories and the research.

 2. Yes I have hosted one - the last COG on musical instruments. It was fun and I certainly appreciate the work of other hosts.

3. I can't select one article that jumps out but I  have learned much from the writing of others: the different experiences and traditions of their family and different ways to present the informaton. I have laughed and cried when I have read the stories. I always hope that no one telephones when I am reading one of the articles that have touched me deeply. They might not understand why I am crying about someone I don't even know.

4. I have learned that I like to write. It helps to have a challenge and a topic presented that I might not thought would be a topic to include in the family history. It is good to have deadlines, otherwise I might not get it done.

5. Not to write but to read.

6.doesn't apply

7. The one way I think that the COG has helped my family history is that it has taken me beyond the researching of names but has added a greater focus on the stories. It has also got me looking through the photograph albums to see what photos that I have that relate to the topic of the day. The articles will give me material to add to the family history. The recent topic of Disasters had me thinking of historical events in relationship to my family and ancestors/relatives. I wrote about the Spanish flu. The research for that will give me material for an article for the local historical society.

8. Community would be the one word to sum it up. I had read a few COG articles before I started to participate. I had started the blogging in July 2007 at work. During Advent 2007, I participated in the Advent Calendar of Memories hosted by Thomas MacIntee but it had been first announced by Jasia. Having enjoyed the participation in that event, I was ready to jump on board to the COG. The COG has introduced me to new to me blogs and to the wonderful people who write them.

I have participated in 31. My first was back in January 2008 when the topic was Making Connections with Living Relatives

poster by fmMaven

Thanks Jasia for this topic. It has made us think about what the COG means to each one of us. I look forward to reading the postings of other participants.

© 2009 Janet Iles