Sheridan Parsons Writes (Page 4)

Sheridan Parsons Writes

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Private Stafford Hope Venton, Crofton Pumping Station

Private Stafford Hope Venton, Crofton Pumping Station

Stafford Hope Venton worked on the Kennet and Avon Canal. He was killed in action in WW1 on 23rd November 1917.

Alma Webb - can you help?

Alma Webb - can you help?

Alma Webb served as a nurse during WW2, and my mother, Margaret Whitehead, served with her as a VAD in Abbottabad, India between 1945 and 1946.

Where's Ted Today?

Where's Ted Today?

In 2014 I was keen to involve my 9 year old son in the commemorations for the 100th anniversary of WW1, and I decided that a travelling bear could help.

Acting Leading Seaman Wilfred Dyke and William Moore

Acting Leading Seaman Wilfred Dyke and William Moore

The stories of William Moore and Wilfred Dyke are linked by the moment when William nearly drowned in the Coventry Canal.

The Coal Man and the Goat

The Coal Man and the Goat

A few years ago, I posted a picture of a house up for auction. It turned out that Kev (formerly of Bickerstaffe Boats) knew the property well...

My mother's German penpals - can you help?

My mother's German penpals - can you help?

Before the war, my mother Margaret Whitehead corresponded with a German girl, Christa Leidhold, and two young men from Germany.

#12 James Whitehead, 1856-1941

#12 James Whitehead, 1856-1941

My great grandfather James Whitehead was born on 7th April 1856 in North Aston, Oxfordshire.

#16 John Joseph Green, 1846-1899

#16 John Joseph Green, 1846-1899

John Joseph Green, a boiler maker and iron rivetter, was my 2 x Great Grandfather. He was born on 9th October 1846 in New Street, Deptford, London.

Private Walter Thomas Ewart Harris, in from the cold

Private Walter Thomas Ewart Harris, in from the cold

I uncovered Walter's story as part of my research into Wootton Bassett's WW1 history, and I am immensely proud that he now has the recognition he deserves.

The History of Lock 57 Cottage and Belvedere House, Hassall Green

The History of Lock 57 Cottage and Belvedere House, Hassall Green

Belvedere House made a particularly interesting research project, which I hope the new owner will enjoy. Spoiler alert, it isn't a warehouse!

How old is that narrowboat?

How old is that narrowboat?

If you spot an old boat on the waterways and you want to find out its age, and something about it, here's how.

Edward Leighfield of Wootton Bassett

Edward Leighfield of Wootton Bassett

A collaborative research mini-project for the Family and Community Historical Research Society, 2019, themed around gardeners.

#14 Joseph Sear, 1863-1941

#14 Joseph Sear, 1863-1941

My great grandfather Joseph Sear was born on 13th October 1863, at 36 Clarendon Square, St Pancras.

Twiggli Family Tree Generator

In 2017 one of my genealogy customers was looking through the report I’d prepared for him. Although he was pleased, there was clearly something wrong....

A Twist in the Tale on the Grand Union Canal

A Twist in the Tale on the Grand Union Canal

Was it suicide or was it murder? Early on the morning in July 1880, a pair of horse boats loaded with chalk left Stoke Hammond lock...

The History of The Elms, Benwick

The History of The Elms, Benwick

I wrote this history of The Elms, in Benwick, when I was selling it as a canalside homes estate agent in 2022. The property sold and is now in new hands.

Edwin Brown, Foxhangers Lock Cottage and Semington Lock House

Edwin Brown, Foxhangers Lock Cottage and Semington Lock House

Edwin Brown was the lock keeper at the bottom of the Caen Hill flight and at Semington Lock House.

George Brain, Carpenter's Crew (1889-1914)

George Brain, Carpenter's Crew (1889-1914)

The story of Carpenter's Crew George Brain, from Glascote, who was drowned on Hospital Ship Rohilla on 30th October 1914.

Sarah Gerrish, cake seller, (c.1805-1862)

Sarah Gerrish, cake seller, (c.1805-1862)

Mysteries are both the joy and the challenge of genealogy. Sarah Gerrish's story is one of these.

Reliant and Metrocab, Basin Lane, Glascote

Reliant and Metrocab, Basin Lane, Glascote

Where I live between Glascote Locks was once the location for the moulding factories producing Scimitars and Robin Reliants.

15 Family History Writing Challenges

15 Family History Writing Challenges

Do you want to write or blog about family history, but you don't know where to begin? This post lists 13 challenges to help you get started... and keep going!

A baby at Sydney Wharf (1878-1878)

A baby at Sydney Wharf (1878-1878)

A sad little story of a baby drowned in the Kennet and Avon Canal at Sydney Wharf near Bath.

Coy-Sgt-Major Alfred Allbrighton (1891-1917)

Coy-Sgt-Major Alfred Allbrighton (1891-1917)

The story of Alfred Allbrighton, who lived in Main Road, Glascote, and was killed in action in WW1 on 20th September 1917.

Glascote Locks and the surrounding area 1900-1918

Glascote Locks and the surrounding area 1900-1918

The history of Glascote Locks and the surrounding area between 1900 and 1918, including the men of Glascote who served and fell in WW1.

#17 Mary Ann Jane Dutton, 1848-1914

#17 Mary Ann Jane Dutton, 1848-1914

Mary Ann Jane Dutton was my 2nd great-grandmother. She was born in 1848 in Deptford, Kent, the second of eleven children.