Page 1 - Issue 09
January 2010
Past Search Newsletter A year gone and a year to come One of the more difficult we’ve had drama and Festival and all my customers w years of the recent past, excitement e on the who sent their regards upon 2009 has been weathered home front. hearing of Ian’s predicament. well in this corner of In August my Better family news came W.D.Y.T.Y.A. Norfolk. partner Ian had a when my daughter Cáitlin Firstly thank you to rrather dramatic and decided to marry Jos, her long all my customers for theirr worrying wo o reaction term partner. support over the past year. to swine flu, or possibly The wedding is in April, The fact so many are still Tamiflu. which will add a new Blanchard commissioning me for research This rather put the dampers marriage certificate to be and attending classes in such on our summer holiday. In the unearthed in the future. austere times is very touching. finest tradition of the NHS, I’ll sign off this article by Looking at a brighter future, the staff at the Royal Devon & wishing everyone a happy new I’ve been invited to speak at Exeter hospital were fantastic. year and the best of luck in their Who Do You Think You Are Our thanks also goes to the family history endeavours and Live, on 26 February. I will helpful staff at Sidmouth Folk life in general. be presenting ‘Your Norfolk Ancestors: An Insiders Guide’ Rosary Cemetery becomes Grade II* listed from 12.45 to 1.30 pm. The event is at Olympia in London, over the weekend of 26-28 February. I’ll have a stand there on every day of the event. The stand is number 86, next door to the nice people from Pharos Tutors. Life hasn’t been all business,
It’s tradition... ● First Footing: After midnight householders would wait for a dark haired person to arrive at their door and cross the threshold. The person carried a piece of coal, some bread, some money and some greenery. The items symbolised prosperity and luck for the coming year. ● Frost Fairs: In the ‘Mini Ice Age‘ of 1550-1750 the Thames frequently froze over in January, sometimes for up to three months. New Year’s Day saw skating, sledding and even stalls being set up on the ice.
Norwich’s Rosary Cemetary has been declared to be of “more than special interest” by English Heritage. Only five percent of buildings and places in England are Grade II* listed. This graveyard was Britain’s first nondenominational cemetery, it was founded in 1819 by Thomas Drummond. Using his life savings, the nonconformist minister bought a former market garden to convert into the 13 acre resting place of over 18,500 people.