Research Diary
This research diary is the main tool I use to keep track of my genealogy progress. I jot down names, records and sources that I think are interesting but don’t currently fit in the tree or are speculative. My goal is to make it low effort to capture information quickly rather than in a formal way.
Since May 2023 I have written diary entries straight on this website but prior to that the diaries consist of a series of yearly word documents (now PDFs). I’m slowly migrating the old research diaries from PDF format to this site.
- 2 Mar 2026
Tews in the genealogy of the descendants of Nicholas Harris.
- 5 Feb 2026
Sometimes you discover evidence that makes you re-evaluate your interpretation of the past.
- 3 Feb 2026
Solving the long-time mystery of the whereabouts of Rebecca Brooks.
- 28 Jan 2026
Another re-evaluation of all the Josephs in the Chambers line in Suffolk.
- 9 Jan 2026
A mild crisis of confidence in the Chambers family tree (resolved).
- 6 Jan 2026
William Snowling received parish assistance for emigration from Suffolk in 1836.
- 3 Jan 2026
Looking at Chambers entries in the 1674 Suffolk Hearth Tax returns.
- 20 Jun 2025
A visit to Risca and the Gwent Archives.
- 3 Jun 2025
Ships travelling to Newport from Portuguese territories and the Americas.
- 28 May 2025
Asking about the Risca mine disaster identification book.
- 27 May 2025
Research trip plan to South Wales: Gwent Archives pre-ordered for Ximenes, Dineen, and Hemmings families.
- 23 May 2025
Suffolk Family History society corrections.
- 21 May 2025
Analysing the Joseph and Mary Dunmore brick wall.
- 25 Mar 2025
Estimating Joseph Ximenes’ Ethnic Origins.
- 5 Mar 2025
Joseph Chamberlain (b. c.1771) sought in Colchester records; possible baptism found at St. Nicholas 1769.
- 5 Feb 2025
Spelling variations Ambry/Amory/Emery in Felton and Ulgham attributed to curate Angus Hutton.
- 29 Jan 2025
Assessment of Houghton-le-Spring vs. Hexham baptism for George Carr; DNA evidence found weak.
- 28 Jan 2025
Three competing baptism records for George Carr (b. c.1790); DNA links Bainbridge family but census says Hexham.
- 27 Jan 2025
George Carr traced through poll books from Dotland Park, Hexham; shift from husbandman to coal miner.
- 6 Jan 2025
Tyne Mercury (1806) reports pitman from Monkseaton drowned in Billy Mill Quarry, corroborating Richardson burial.
