Category Archives: Birth

My Italian ancestry online

A year or two ago, I got an e-mail from someone in America who was carrying out a research into his brother-in-law’s Italian ancestry. By pure coincidence, the man’s family came from the small Piedmontese village of San Marzano Oliveto, … Continue reading

Posted in Birth, Death, Genealogy, Italy, Marriage | 2 Comments

How to order a Spanish birth certificate?

One of the most common questions I usually get when discussing genealogy is “how can I get my ancestor’s birth certificate from Spain?”. The procedure is actually pretty straight-forward and it usually only takes a few days – if you’re … Continue reading

Posted in Birth, Civil Registration, Genealogy, Spain | 28 Comments

Beware of names!

If, like me, you have ever had trouble locating an ancestor’s name knowing you are looking in the right place, you will know how frustrating it is to hit a brick wall. Hopefully this article may offer some further guidance. … Continue reading

Posted in Birth, Civil Registration, Galicia, Genealogy, Illegitimacy, Ireland, Marriage, Spain, Who Do You Think You Are? | 1 Comment

My AncestryDNA Adventure

The following entry has been written over a period of several weeks. 25 March 2016 It was one of those lazy mornings when, instead of rushing to get ready for work, as I should, I got glued to the minuscule screen … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestry.com, Andalucía, Birth, DNA, England, France, Galicia, Genealogy, Germany, Herefordshire, Huguenots, Ireland, Italy, Jewish Ancestry, La Coruña, New York City, Spain, United States, Worcestershire | 3 Comments

Understanding Spanish Birth Certificates

One of biggest challenges we face when researching our ancestry or anybody else’s is the language barrier. There are many online tools that help overcome these barriers – from online translation tools to common phrases which are used in such … Continue reading

Posted in Andalucía, Birth, Civil Registration, Death, Genealogy, Jaén, Marriage, Spain, Women | 13 Comments

Remembering Ash Villa

There are not many buildings left standing where an ancestor of mine once lived. One of the few exceptions that I know of is a quaint yet ordinary-looking, four-bedroom house called Ash Villa, in Upper Colwall, Herefordshire. Nestled behind the … Continue reading

Posted in 1851 Census, 1861 Census, 1871 Census, 1881 Census, 1891 Census, 1901 Census, 1911 Census, Adoption, Birmingham, Birth, Colwall, Death, England, Genealogy, Herefordshire, Property, War, Worcestershire, World War I | 7 Comments

Who Do You Think You Are Live! 2016

My head is still buzzing with information, my feet occasionally still hurt, and my bank account is a sad sight. Yes, the effects of the annual Who Do You Think You Are! Live trade fair are still fresh in my mind … Continue reading

Posted in 1939 UK Register, Bigamy, Birmingham, Birth, Colwall, Divorce, Emigration, Famous Genealogy, Genealogy, Herefordshire, Jewish Ancestry, Marriage, The National Archives, United States, Wales, War, Who Do You Think You Are?, Worcestershire, World War I | Leave a comment

Milboroughs and Montilions

John, Ann, William, Mary, Thomas and Elizabeth. These are probably names which appear dozens, if not hundreds of times in your family history, particularly as you delve into the earlier decades of the 18th century. However, while researching you family … Continue reading

Posted in Birth, Emigration, England, France, Genealogy, Herefordshire, Hope-under-Dinmore, Huguenots, Kington, Marriage, Shropshire, World War I | 1 Comment

Naughty Nancy

For a few days I have been pining for a family tree mystery. It has been ages since I last found a real question mark in my ancestry, but this morning I fortunately seem to have stumbled across one. Trying … Continue reading

Posted in Birth, Coddington, Colwall, Death, Dymock, Emigration, Engagement, England, Genealogy, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Lancashire, Manchester, Marriage, Women | Leave a comment

Our elusive ancestors

Elusive ancestors. We all have them. We all chase them. And very often, they remain a mystery. Who among you has not come across a distant forebear who will just not turn up in the usual sources? In England and … Continue reading

Posted in 1891 Census, 1901 Census, 1911 Census, Adoption, Birth, Death, England, Genealogy, Herefordshire | Leave a comment