There are three feature articles in the December issue.
In Get More From Your DNA Test, genetic genealogist Debbie Kennett shares 10 tips on how to use the
latest DNA tools to work with your matches and grow your family tree.
I was a bit surprised by the first of these, “Build a Tree.” Build your tree back on all your ancestral lines for about five or six generations. It’s important to include collateral branches in your tree and to try wherever possible to trace those lines down to the present day.”
So, how many people can build their tree back five or six generations? They’re probably less motivated to take a DNA test if they can. Nevertheless, Debbie’s article offers sound advice, notably pointing out the value of X and Y DNA.
Second up among the feature articles is Researching British Home Children, the story of Patrick Boyes who was happily settled with farmer JP Brunet in Chichester, about 90 miles north-east of Ottawa. A series of his letters were located in Liverpool that give his positive view of his situation. The article mentions “Home Children Canada (HCC) cautions against taking the content of letters written by Home Children at face value, because they were often vetted. But the organization’s president, Lori Oschefski, says the consistency of Patrick’s comments suggests he might have been one of the lucky ones.” Given the generally negative view of young immigrant settlement given by HCC, not one that has any firm statistical basis, and without consideration of their likely fate had he or she remained in the UK, it is refreshing to see acknowledgement of a favourable settlement.
Recording Revolution, by regular contributor Jonathan Scott, “reveals how the arrival of recorded sound changed the music
industry and made many of our ancestors avid listeners.” The focus is the early history.
The month’s installment in Jonathan Scott’s continuing Around Britain series features Northamptonshire. It lists of some free smaller local online resources, such as a “Calendar of wills relating to the counties of Northampton and Rutland : proved in the court of the Archdeacon of Northampton, 1510 to 1652” available from the Internet Archive.
I read the issue through Libby and the Ottawa Public Library.
I too read using Libby, but have found lately I must be connected to the Internet, whereas before, once I’d downloaded to my tablet, it was available whether I had an Internet connection or not. A little frustrating when wanting to read while travelling.