Blackmore’s heritage comes to life this February with ‘Through Changing Scenes: a history of the church and village in words and music’. The event will be held on Saturday 23rd February at the Priory Church of St Laurence, starting at 7.30pm. The music is provided by Tuneful Accord directed by Christine Gwynn, and the words, researched and written by me, told by members of the congregation. It is a repeat of the successful event held in 2005. Profits will go to church funds. Tickets are available from Blackmore Post Office.
There is no doubt that the popularity of the BBC TV series, ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ has encouraged many to research their family history. It is, apparently, the second most popular hobby – gardening being the top. I read an article in the ‘Essex Journal’ recently which, stated the obvious in my view, said that local history and family history are closely linked. Although I would say I am interested in local history (defining the geographical area), it goes without saying that the lives of those who have contributed (or otherwise!) to the area are vitally important. Inevitably research crosses the invisible boundary into social history too.
On the blog now is a feature about the Caton family in Blackmore (Essex) in the nineteenth century. I was able to help Wendy Snowdon with her family history research by directing her to various resources which many genealogists may not have come across. You might not be a member of this family, one of whom was a churchwarden, but this is a ‘Case Study’ which hopefully encourages you to delve deeper and understand more about your ancestors. I would be glad to hear your comments.
My forbears come from Mountnessing, the parish to the immediate east of Blackmore. My great-grandfather was schoolmaster at the beginning of the twentieth century. His son, Walter Reed (my great-uncle), also became a school teacher, and in 1950 gave a speech, probably to students at his school in Norwich, entitled ‘Retrospect’ recalling the village of Mountnessing in his childhood. Such, almost unique, material is too good not to publish on the Internet. It doesn’t fit into the Blackmore Village website (http://www.blackmorevillage.co.uk/) and is the reason for calling this blog ‘Blackmore Area Local History’.
In terms of the area covered, I consider it to be roughly Epping to the west, Chelmsford to the north, Billericay to the east, and Brentwood to the south. All sides of my family seem to have hailed from this part of Essex since at least 1900.
The possibilities for inclusion of material seem endless. Over the years I, and other members of my family, have received or taken photographs of the area so it would be good to scan and upload those. Pictures of Blackmore appear down the left hand side of the text.
Coming soon to this blog
- Jericho Priory
- a feature on Stondon Massey
- my grandfather’s postcard collection of Brentwood from the beginning of the twentieth century
Coming soon to Blackmore Village Website
- an index of Blackmore ancestors
- a transcript of the 1910 Electoral Register.
There is no doubt that the popularity of the BBC TV series, ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ has encouraged many to research their family history. It is, apparently, the second most popular hobby – gardening being the top. I read an article in the ‘Essex Journal’ recently which, stated the obvious in my view, said that local history and family history are closely linked. Although I would say I am interested in local history (defining the geographical area), it goes without saying that the lives of those who have contributed (or otherwise!) to the area are vitally important. Inevitably research crosses the invisible boundary into social history too.
On the blog now is a feature about the Caton family in Blackmore (Essex) in the nineteenth century. I was able to help Wendy Snowdon with her family history research by directing her to various resources which many genealogists may not have come across. You might not be a member of this family, one of whom was a churchwarden, but this is a ‘Case Study’ which hopefully encourages you to delve deeper and understand more about your ancestors. I would be glad to hear your comments.
My forbears come from Mountnessing, the parish to the immediate east of Blackmore. My great-grandfather was schoolmaster at the beginning of the twentieth century. His son, Walter Reed (my great-uncle), also became a school teacher, and in 1950 gave a speech, probably to students at his school in Norwich, entitled ‘Retrospect’ recalling the village of Mountnessing in his childhood. Such, almost unique, material is too good not to publish on the Internet. It doesn’t fit into the Blackmore Village website (http://www.blackmorevillage.co.uk/) and is the reason for calling this blog ‘Blackmore Area Local History’.
In terms of the area covered, I consider it to be roughly Epping to the west, Chelmsford to the north, Billericay to the east, and Brentwood to the south. All sides of my family seem to have hailed from this part of Essex since at least 1900.
The possibilities for inclusion of material seem endless. Over the years I, and other members of my family, have received or taken photographs of the area so it would be good to scan and upload those. Pictures of Blackmore appear down the left hand side of the text.
Coming soon to this blog
- Jericho Priory
- a feature on Stondon Massey
- my grandfather’s postcard collection of Brentwood from the beginning of the twentieth century
Coming soon to Blackmore Village Website
- an index of Blackmore ancestors
- a transcript of the 1910 Electoral Register.
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