Tracing Ghosts

Tracing Ghosts
Genealogical Research

Tracing Ghosts started out as a place to compile research on my own family tree, but now contains all sorts of research I have undertaken, from local history to other kinds of genealogical projects which spark my interest (see contents to the right or menu above).

I first discovered genealogy in 1987 when I undertook a school project to produce a family tree. I even tea-stained the paper and burn the edges to make the document look old and authentic! Then in 2005 I rediscovered genealogy via my partner who was tracing his own family tree, and after digging out my old family tree project was soon hooked. It was after helping a friend research her ancestors I realised that I enjoyed tracing other peoples trees just as much as my own.

I am available to HIRE if you need help trace your full or partial tree, or even just certain people. I can also check over DNA results to find common ancestors.

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Latest Posts

The Moore Family of 29 Tennyson Road, Bath, Somerset (1905-1970)
While researching my own family home in Bath, I came across a newspaper clipping about a young soldier from the house opposite. What began as curiosity became a much deeper investigation into the Moore family, who lived at 29 Tennyson Road for sixty-five years. At the centre of that story is Willie Moore — athlete, tank officer, oil engineer and twice a soldier — wounded at Loos and Cambrai, awarded the Military Cross and later working the oilfields of Venezuela and Iraq. But the family around him proved equally worth knowing. This is their story.
Pte. Alexander SMITH – Border Regiment (1898-1977)
A Victory Medal. A name deliberately scratched away. A service number just legible beneath a magnifying glass. It was the only thread available — and it led to the story of Alexander Smith of Pendleton (near Salford), a printer's assistant who twice lied about his age to serve his country, survived the mud of the Somme, and earned the Military Medal before returning quietly to the streets he had grown up on. His name was scrubbed from his medal, his service records destroyed, and his neighbourhood demolished. This is the story of putting him back together again.
Sjt. Walter NEWTON – 11th Manchester Regiment (1890-1973)
In the early 2000s, a British War Medal appeared for sale online, long separated from the man who had earned it by the passage of time. It is engraved 59226 SJT . W. NEWTON . MANCH . R .—a name, a number, a regiment. Walter Newton was born in Oldham in 1890, enlisted in 1915, and served on the Western Front through some of the most dangerous months of the war. He came home, worked in the cotton mills, and ran a post office with his wife Ethel. He died in 1973, aged 83. This is his story.
The History of 1 Cobham Road, Westcliff-On-Sea, Essex
The large late Victorian property at 1 Cobham Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, has seen numerous changes in ownership and occupancy since its construction as a private residence in 1899. Situated on the corner of The Leas and Cobham Road, the building offers expansive views across the estuary. Today, it is home to Shebson Lodge and the Southend Jewish Community Centre.
The Calverley Blayds Family of Oulton Hall, Yorkshire and South Stoke, Somerset
A request for help was published in the Bristol & Avon Family History Society magazine by the owner of a sampler sewn by Elizabeth Sophia BLAYDS of South Stoke Vicarage, Somerset on 8th Dec 1843. The owner was looking to reunite the sampler with its family.
The Lyall Family of Ireland & Lincolnshire
A request for help finding the birth of Kathleen Newman LYALL lead to an interesting story of military exploits, reoccurring venereal disease, transatlantic crash landings and rugby!
Moondial & The LOWE Family of Belton, Lincolnshire
During the book and TV series MOONDIAL the main character Minty wanders around the churchyard of St Peter & St Paul, Belton, Lincolnshire and comes across a "tiny thumbnail headstone" with "E. L. 1871" engraved upon it. This is later revealed to be the final resting place of the character "Tom", E.L. standing for his given name of Edward Larkin, but who was the real E.L.?
Searching for “Steve” WWII Soldier ~ Stephen Frederick FIELD [1920-1965]
A post in the "Somerset - Ancestors and Genealogy" Facebook group caught my eye at the weekend posted by Wendi Shaw of New Jersey, USA who was looking for help identifying a British WWII soldier named "Steve" who had sent postcards of himself to "Gray, Evelyn & Megan" during his time in the army.
Armstrong Garfield Robinson (1883-1954) ~ Trains, Brains and False Claims
From time to time I scan the newspaper archives for mention of interesting historical stories from my hometown of Hadleigh, Essex from the same month. February's search threw up what at first appeared to be an amusing story of a Hadleigh bridegroom's over-exuberance in London on the eve of his wedding causing him the need to beg for money to get back home. What I went on to uncover were three generations of well-respected railway engineers, and a clever man's life blighted by alcohol and the after-effects of a head injury sustained during WWI.
Henry ANDERSON (1893-1966) Gateshead, Durham
A message on the Ancestry UK Facebook group's page caught my eye at the weekend regarding Henry ANDERSON b.1893 in Gateshead, Durham. His great-granddaughter knew the name of his father but was having a hard time confirming who his parents were. Could I help? Yes!
Research Booklet ~ The History of Belfairs Farm & Golf Course, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex
The fields at Belfairs Farm in Leigh, Essex were created by clearing woodland owned by Lady Olivia Bernard SPARROW between 1804-1842 and there is evidence to suggest there had been a farm there to manage the woods since the 13th century. The land was originally part of the holdings of Leigh Manor, not changing until the death of Lady Sparrow in 1863 when her estates were sold and can be traced back through the family to Richard RICH, 1st Earl of Warwick, who acquired it from Henry CAREY, 1st Baron Hudson in the mid-16th century.
Research Booklet ~ The History of The Hoy and Helmet, South Benfleet, Essex
The Hoy & Helmet, formally Hoy Inn, is a Grade II listed building on the High Street as it curves down towards South Benfleet train station. It comprises of several buildings; the middle section is thought to date back to the 15th century (once a house), and the right section nearer the church was added in the 18th century. The Hoy & Helmet retains much of its old-world charm to this day, with its higgledy-piggledy layout of rooms the setting of many a tale over the last five hundred years, two hundred of which are detailed within these pages (including …