Some women described themselves as ‘widows’ on censuses in order that they did not have to explain that their husbands had been imprisoned or transported. James Tissot, A Widow (1868), Via Wikipedia Commons.
Why did my ancestor lie? (Quick tip: 5)
Weddings That Went Wrong
Delighted to announce the publication of my article on Marriage Mishaps in November 2025’s Discover Your Ancestors online periodical (by subscription). http://www.discoveryourancestors.com No-shows at the altar, mixups with the marriage vows and umpteen weddings that were stalled at the eleventh hour !
The Queen’s Halloween
by Ruth A. Symes [This article was first published in Scots Heritage Magazine in 2016] Balmoral in earlier days, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Balmoral in 1848 after spending a happy holiday in the Highlands. In 1853, the original house (believed to date from the 13th century) was knocked down and a new, larger... Continue Reading →
searchmyancestry - Ruth A. Symes 