Michael Parkinson is my New Hero
At last the truth is out. A team of researchers take six weeks to get nowhere so I can be more open about how irritating I find the phrase "Who do You Think You Are?".
I was delighted with the recent news story about the supposed boring family history of Michael Parkinson. The simple truth is that most of us we have a line of Agricultural Labourers, Domestic Servants and those carrying out simple Industrial Jobs. That does not mean there is no story of course as our ancestors lived through times of great social upheaval and searches of newspapers can give us a clear indication of the conditions in which they lived.
Within my own Family History I was struck by my Great-Grandfather having lost his leg in a steelworks railway accident was later given a 'light duty' which involved cleaning railway engine boilers. A job at which he died in a further accident a few years later. The reports of the Inquest in the local paper amounted to nothing more than an absolute exoneration for the owners of the steelworks. At least I have something of the unusual in that I have a first cousin once removed that was hung in 1948!
We all need to accept that we really might not be able to find something earth shattering. That said a member of our group recently proved a link to Chad Varah; another found her family in a single village going back many generations and others made great strides in their research. Come along and join - the one thing I am really sure of is that the co-operative effort leads to better results for all.
By the way watch the Diary. I will run regular clinics during the Autumn to help people out with problems. These will generally be at Greeson Hall but once a month or so at Scunthorpe Central Library to make use of the resources there. I will also, as promised, run three IT based classes. JP
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