The Matrix

I love this photo of my parents at the Matrix nightclub, Christmas 1956 in Coventry, England. I don't know exactly when, or how they met. It was around the end of 1955 as my father's diary entries for 1954 are sparse and there is no diary for 1955.

A Story of Wills and Inventories

The existence of a will is a fabulous find for the amateur genealogist. Wills, are hit and miss in that, firstly, did your ancestor leave one, and secondly, did it survive? In this section I will look at a series of wills of various families telling the story of connection, emigration and intrigue as they … Continue reading A Story of Wills and Inventories →

Dearham, Cumbria

This section focusses on the village of Dearham through the centuries. Beginning in 1564 with Helen Eaglesfield's inventory. As I said in the preamble, this will look more at who were the residents, how were they connected? What areas outside of Dearham are mentioned? What did they own and leave in their wills and inventories? … Continue reading Dearham, Cumbria →

Captain Joseph Winder

The early life of Joseph is almost entirely unrecorded. He was born 1661/62 to Peter Winder, possibly in Ireland. We know this because his naval record as referenced below states his D.o.B as 1661, and by 1668, he is back in Dearham, Cumbria with his father as he is mentioned in Peter's will, along with … Continue reading Captain Joseph Winder →

The Winders of Coventry

My grandfather, William Perrin Winder married Mary Connolly in Coventry in 1932. He had moved over from Dublin, Ireland presumably to find work. In 1930, he is listed as a lodger with Mrs Dora Phillips at 84 Whoberley Avenue, Coventry. Born, the 11th of May 1909 at Maisonette, Cowper Gardens in Dublin, he and his … Continue reading The Winders of Coventry →

The Winders of Ireland

This blog follows my 7 x great-grandfather, Peter Winder and specifically his son, John, my 6 x great-grandfather who lived in Ireland. Peter's two sons; John and Joseph would have returned with their father in 1668/69 and were educated in England. John was about 10 years old and Joseph about 6 years old when their … Continue reading The Winders of Ireland →

The Winders of Dearham

Dearham village is 2.5 miles from Maryport, Cumbria and where the earliest record of my paternal line is found. The parish registers dated back to the 1400's once, but sadly, 1663/64 is the earliest surviving record. This, in itself, is incredible. The fact that I can directly trace eight generations back. My interest, though, … Continue reading The Winders of Dearham →