WELCOME TO MY BLOG
I have the family history bug for researching both my own family
history and that of friends. If your interest is in families of the Fylde in
Lancashire (Danson/Rawcliffe/Bryning), this site is for you, with many photographs to enhance interest.
I'll also be looking at my father's Weston/Matthews family from Staffordshire
and Shropshire in the English Midlands, my
Scottish Donaldson connections, taking a look at local history and featuring stories that appeal.
So read on, or even better, sign up as a
follower. Do get in touch - I would love to hear from others who share my
enthusiasm for family history fun.
My
interest in family history began at a young age when it was a treat to look at
the shoebox of old photographs and psotcards in my grandfather's house. Many of these now feature in this blog.
I
come from Poulton-le-Fylde, near the famous seaside resort of Blackpool, in
Lancashire in north west England. We moved with my father's work to
Edinburgh where I finished my education. I studied history followed by
the Diploma in Librarianship and Information Work.
My
first proper job was a great experience on a USA exchange scheme,
working in the Radcliffe College Library, Cambridge,
Massachusetts. I loved Boston and New England, but also took
advantage, with another British girl I met, of taking the Greyhound bus
offer of "99 dollars for 99 days of travel" around the States - a
wonderful time.
On marriage I moved to the Scottish Borders, south of Edinburgh. It is a beautiful rural region with a very distinctive history reflected
in ruined castles and abbeys, and tales
of Border Reivers and Border ballads.
My career has spanned working in a College of
Education, citizen's advice bureau, tourist information centres, the
local studies department of my local library service and finally the
Heritage Hub - home of the Scottish Borders Archive,
Local History & Family History Service - where I specialized in family history
enquirers - how many people can say they are in a job connected with their
hobby? I am now enjoying retirement.
I love following the ancestral trail: the detective
story element in hunting for information and
corroborating it with evidence, (I do not like to be defeated), the satisfaction of finding key facts, and writing up the information in an
interesting way that appeals to others.
I
started my blog in August 2010. Joining Geneabloggers a few months later
brought a huge boost to my family history activities and I hope I can convey in
my posts what pleasure can be achieved from a wonderful, life-long and all consuming
hobby.
ENJOY READING IT!
The triple Eildon Hills - the iconic view of the Scottish Borders where I now live.
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Copyright © 2014 · Susan Donaldson. All Rights Reserved
Contact me at: susanpdonaldson@btinternet.com
Contact me at: susanpdonaldson@btinternet.com
