The Hampshire Family Historian | Vol.49 No.1 | June 2022

Local Group Programmes

advertisements for local people. Then the pages of national and international news, often copied from papers like The London Gazette . Were there any factors that affected the publication of newspapers? Yes - A Stamp duty was levied on newspapers from 1712, making them more expensive. This duty was reduced in 1836 and only finally abolished in 1855. It is after this date that we begin to see the real boom in local newspapers – albeit many being short-lived. (March) Members Evening This was a sociable, evening where we told each other about the research we had completed during the Covid Pandemic Lockdowns. It proved to be very interesting and entertaining with some ideas shared. Jan – After a personal message, on Ancestry, about her husband’s family, exchanged information and shared photos of previously unknown ancestors. Isabella (Ella) Howey. B. 1894, her 3 brothers, father, a mariner. Alfred(brother) was a Cyclist Corps Messenger. A Sister-in-law found medals, and a sea chest. Ella’s life was researched and led to the discovery that, she left £246 when she died. So, what happened to the 2 properties she inherited on her father’s death? Alan – With eight grandchildren, decided to make a Family History Book for each of them. The research followed their ancestors from both sides and back through the wars and beyond. Rob – Sorted out a plethora of repeated names and nicknames that were causing confusion. Interesting, sources of WW1 research, provided help. Rob reminded us to look out for records from Clubs and Learned Societies. Fee – From a personal message (Ancestry) found links from her mother to Fishmongers, Horse mongers and rustlers. The messenger, from America, visited with Fee and visited houses and places linked to their tree. Kate – Compiled a photo book of herself and siblings for family members. She also had a poetry book that intrigued her because of the inscription to David Raymond Prince from Isabella, Lady Ailsa. Kate researched those names. Don’t forget that inscriptions can instigate successful leads. Elayne – Through more regular contact with family members via phone and zoom was able to write down some of her father’s childhood memories of the war. Mark – Through Ancestry DNA research further his mother’s side in Australia and New Zealand. He found a Convict pardoned for murder (but who then murdered someone else). DNA matches were found in Canada that caused confusion. Mark discovered one match was on both his maternal and paternal trees, and that GGG Grandparents were shared. Bob – Shared with us his technology and printer problems that are now sorted. Problems with software and tech can really hinder your research. Penny – Managed to get in touch with a distant cousin in Australia. This led to discoveries of relations from Prussia, Shoreditch and The British Library.

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