Skip to main content

Questions tagged [historical-context]

Used for questions about the historical context within which person of interests lived. Context may be helpful in locating sources and examining their reliability , in understanding what may have caused events in our ancestors' lives, as well as for enhancing our understanding of our ancestors' life stories.

2 votes
0 answers
44 views

Bishops Prior to Reformation?

In perusing a relative's notes on ancestors prior to the reformation, the direct line becomes broken, where there are the following notes: Henery Sterne (of Stow Cum Quy): Born 1471. Sold Sterne's ...
Laurie Stearn's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
105 views

Why was a Prussian soldier in Nova Scotia in 1817?

After participating in the Battle of Waterloo, Private Gottlieb Schmidt was discharged from the 3rd battalion in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1817. Private Schmidt was in the 3rd Battalion 60th Regiment. ...
BettyAnne McDorman's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
116 views

Seeking online resources to do collateral research on Internet?

I'm sure that genealogists know what collateral research, the study of family members, along with members of the ancestor's community, is. However, I do not know of any online resources that use ...
Christopher Thompson's user avatar
10 votes
3 answers
811 views

What was the weather like?

I would like to build context for certain genealogical events I am researching, and one component - as dull as it may seem - is weather. For example, it would be interesting to know what the weather ...
Harry V.'s user avatar
  • 18.9k
4 votes
2 answers
4k views

At what ages did British students enroll in school in the late 1800s and early 1900s?

The Archives and Records Association (ARA) in the UK and Ireland is leading a National Digitisation Project and one of the products of this effort has been published by Find My Past: England and ...
Jan Murphy's user avatar
  • 25.6k
5 votes
2 answers
177 views

How to find Historical Sources for prominent person in 15th Century England?

Can anyone suggest historical sources I may use to find out about Elizabeth Bedelgate/Bedlisgate who was the mother of Richard Woodville/Wydeville, 1st Earl Rivers? I can find some basic facts on ...
Denise Sanford's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
104 views

How did Doris Sparrell (1892-1985) spend her time as a young lady?

What did young women like Doris Sparrell (1892-1985) who lived in Massachusetts, USA do for entertainment as "teenagers"?
Duncan's user avatar
  • 3,745
14 votes
2 answers
994 views

Finding resources about circus ancestors?

I am trying to find the family name of the trapeze act (and ideally the individuals) who toured Ireland back in the 1950's with the Chipperfield Circus. I'm struggling to find any resources that ...
ACProctor's user avatar
  • 5,897
14 votes
2 answers
96 views

Who established the Wagga Country Fire Brigade?

I am seeking information on the Country Fire Brigade in New South Wales and in particular the establishment of the Wagga Wagga unit. This relates to my search for information on Thomas (Tot) Linsell (...
Henry's user avatar
  • 451
11 votes
1 answer
761 views

How did the lives of Worcestershire nail-makers change 1840-1880?

The 1851 Census of England and Wales shows my ancestors living in Forge Lane, Halesowen, Worcestershire. Not only are all the adult males on the page working as gun barrel forgers, but also every ...
Fortiter's user avatar
  • 13.3k
8 votes
2 answers
253 views

What did it mean to come of age in 1684 at Saco (now Maine, USA)?

John Presbury died 1679 of Saco, now Maine, USA, but then Massachusetts Bay Colony. John left minor sons including William Presbury. John's estate was administered by others until his son, William, "...
GeneJ's user avatar
  • 8,527