In this series I am thinking of the things that I value and I’m grateful for in my own life, then I’m trying to find examples within my family history. Are they direct inheritances, examples of ancestors or pure chance? DETERMINATION The difference between men is in energy, in the strong will, in the settled … More Determination and DNA
Part of our sense of contentment and gratitude is our context in the community and our network of family, friends and neighbours. The American genealogist, Elizabeth Shown Mills has called this the FAN principle or the Friends, Associates and Neighbours network. In earlier times, research was also done into these extended connections but the acronym … More Community and Customs
It’s an intriguing question: what is bravery and what is courage? I’ve seen bravery as fortitude in the face of a challenge, perhaps even a private challenge, whereas courage is more of a one-off Victoria Cross kind of event. On discussions with Mr Cassmob he felt it was the opposite. Dictionaries didn’t enlighten us much … More Bravery in Family History
It seems to me that attitude is inextricably linked to gratitude. How we see things and our experiences is pivotal to being grateful – or is it vice versa? At least from time to time, our attitudes aren’t always aligned with what might lead us to strength and gratitude. How did our ancestors experience their … More Attitudes and Gratitude
A couple of months ago I mapped out my 2020 plan for the A to Z blogging challenge. Little did anyone know the curve ball that was coming towards us at speed. The theme seems now to be even more pertinent. How do we value gratitude in these difficult times and how did our ancestors … More A2Z 2020 Theme
GeniAus has once again challenged us to think positively about what we achieved in our family history during 2019. Here are my responses to her questions (unnumbered since it was being temperamental) * An elusive ancestor I found was: a link to my David Callaghan’s parents, thanks to a DNA match and correspondence with the … More Accentuate the Positive 2019
This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea? The ground crew rush to the aircraft “Take this box to Hagen” “What’s in it?” “Mosquitoes from the coast” … More Zany, Quirky or Weird?
This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea. The start of our life together in Papua New Guinea brought many adventures and experiences, and challenges. Mitupela: At our … More Yumi bung wantaim
This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea. Every year the Christmas food Includes my grandmother’s pudding And her Scottish shortbread My mother’s Christmas cake A traditional hot … More X is for PNG Xmases
This series of blog posts is part of the A to Z 2019 Blogging Challenge in which I will write snapshot memories of my early married life in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea. His father had two postings in Wewak On the first, the headmaster Brandi High School For him, a new sibling … More Wewak Wandering
Family history across the seas 