Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 24/09/2026It’s also got a very mid 20th century England/Wales border in respect of Monmouthshire. Although I don’t suppose that matters so much when ‘Touring England’ takes in the entirety of Wales anyway … 110
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 20/09/2026As part of a fundraising initiative for 2wish.org.uk, I’ve selected a genealogy-related challenge. 74 short biographies of direct ancestors, with exactly 74 words each. This is the first instalment (including a link to donate if so inclined): jenniphillips.home.blog/2026/09/20/7... #Genealogyjenniphillips.home.blog74 ancestors – part 1: female ancestors on my paternal sideI’m taking part in the #Select74CharityChallenge to raise money for 2wish, an amazing charity that provides support for those affected by sudden death in young people. It probably comes as no surpr… 032
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Great to be @glamarchives.bsky.social for Open Doors today. A brilliant turnout for my talk on ‘Researching Your Irish Family History’, with questions on a wide range of topics. Pleased to see so much curiosity about different resources from amateur family historians. #Genealogy #Ireland #Glamorgan 083
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Parish register entry from Donyatt, Somerset, 1st April 1764, recording the burial of my putative 8 x great-grandfather on the day of a solar eclipse … “John Grabham Buri[e]d out of [th]e Alms House April 1st which was [th]e day that the Sun was 3 parts Eclips[e]d" #Genealogy #Somerset #Eclipse 194
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsGlamorgan Archives Archifau Morgannwg @glamarchives.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Today will see the most significant solar eclipse since 1999, with over 90% of the sun covered across Wales. This document, found within our Fonmon Castle Collection, details the total solar eclipse of 1715, as predicted by astronomer Edmond Halley. 092
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 01/08/2026I’ll be presenting a free short talk on Researching Your Irish Family History as part of Open Doors at Glamorgan Archives on 12 September. I’d recommend early booking for tours, as numbers are limited. No need to book for talks though, just turn up on the day! #Genealogy #Glamorgan #Cardiff #Irish 065
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 14/07/2026In a similar vein, my younger cousins used to call my grandmother “Grandma With The Sticks”, as she used two walking sticks due to severe arthritis. This led to one of my aunty’s friends asking if her maiden name was ‘Withersticks’ 150
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 14/07/2026I’m looking forward to presenting a paper at the Women’s Archive Wales Conference in October. I’ll be speaking about early 19th century sexual slander in South-East Wales, derived from my academic research. #Genealogy #History #Glamorgan #AncestryHour #GenHour #Swansea 0103
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 07/07/2026Pleased to be selected as a speaker for #AATP26 on Changing Places day, focusing on a historic migration story. Looking forward to discovering the full line-up for the event and learning about different perspectives on local history. #History #Genealogy 081
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 29/06/2026Her mum is the visitor in the household, so I wonder if she might’ve come to care for her ailing daughter. Lack of children from 13 year marriage perhaps adds an extra layer of sadness/health issues to Elizabeth’s story. John had three with his (much younger) second wife, who he married in Dec 1861. 150
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Thanks Dave. Agree the early completion sounds plausible. The note from the enumerator really should’ve made it obvious to the registrar that something was amiss. Makes me wonder how many unannotated corpses may be lurking elsewhere in census records … 110
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Very true! And I suppose she also tenuously fits the brief of “sleeping” there on the night of the census, although I’m not sure that was meant to include eternal sleep … 130
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 28/06/2026I spotted her initially because my direct ancestors are on the same census page, and subsequently worked out that her husband was a first cousin of my 4 x great-grandfather. It’s one of those villages where almost everyone is related somehow if you look closely enough! 010
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 28/06/2026Death registered on 9th April, with the same registrar who signed off the census for accuracy on 25th April, which makes me wonder about his attention to detail in other matters … 130
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 28/06/2026I’ve got an example of someone recently deceased on the 1861 census. Elizabeth Vickery of Ashbrittle, Somerset, was recorded as “lying corpse”. I ordered her death certificate out of curiosity. She’d died from consumption on 5th April, so shouldn’t have been included (but intriguing that she was). 3172
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Disgraceful proposal from Cardiff University. ASSL’s physical collection of humanities books was invaluable for completing my MSc research. Lots of texts that aren’t digitised, and aren’t easy to access via other libraries or on the second-hand market. #History #Genealogy #Humanities 041
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 03/05/2026I used the same tool to map ancestral counties of birth instead (red = maternal only, blue = paternal only, yellow = both), although it irked me that the Welsh counties are the 74-96 ones - and I had to do an edit afterwards to add a ‘blob’ for Co Louth! 150
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 02/05/2026I wrote this a few years ago about one of my supposed ‘centenarian’ ancestors (spoiler: he wasn’t): jenniphillips.home.blog/2019/12/29/a... - I also have a verifiable centenarian ancestor, whose story I ought to write up as a comparative piece (he has so far only made cameo appearances in talks!)jenniphillips.home.blogA Somerset centenarian?William MEAD (or MEADE) was a boatman on the river Parrett and on the canal near Bridgwater in Somerset. He certainly lived a long life and raised a large family, but did he really live to the age … 120
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 14/04/2026Some reflections on my work as a researcher on the Papal Dispensations for Marriage project at the University of Strathclyde (featuring a cameo appearance from the Princes in the Tower, and the Pope enjoying some French cheese): jenniphillips.home.blog/2026/04/10/t... #Genealogy #Medieval #Historyjenniphillips.home.blogThe Papal Dispensations for Marriage project: my role, and reflections on the projectIn July 2022, while I was a student on the University of Strathclyde’s postgraduate Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies programme, I was asked if I would like to work with Graham Holto… 041
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 01/02/2026Excellent news for genealogists & historians in South Wales (and visitors from further afield) - there are some very useful records on FamilySearch that can only be viewed at affiliate libraries … #Genealogy #Glamorgan #FamilyHistory #History 040
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 08/01/2026I suspect the father may have been a National Land Company shareholder (on my to-do list to check next time I’m at Kew). He was a sailcloth weaver, emigrated to Australia, acquired land, and lobbied for Parliamentary representation for farmers, which strikes me as aligning rather well with Chartism. 110
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 08/01/2026The sole entry in the dataset from Yeovil registration district is my great-great grandma’s cousin, Feargus O’Connor Randle. He sadly died young in 1848 (Ancestry have unhelpfully indexed his burial record with his forename as Hergusolomor 🙄). His sister Grace also had O’Connor as a middle name. 120
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 07/01/2026I screenshot it last week to read the Latin at the bottom: “Inter amicas intimas latent hastes occultisimi cave ni fiducia tua fiat causa tuas ruinas atque exitii” - essentially, a warning against misplaced trust in ‘close friends’ that may lead to your downfall … make of that what you will! 130
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 01/01/2026I’m also a fan of Histpop. I’ve found that using www4.histpop.org provides access to the website without the frustration of frequent timeouts.www4.histpop.orgRedirecting to: https://www4.histpop.org/ohpr/servlet/ 110
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 09/12/2025I think GRO may be missing a chunk of entries for Auckland RD in that quarter - I can’t find other people with same vol & page number in that quarter on GRO website either (but they’re on FreeBMD/FMP), nor those on some adjacent pages. I’d suggest sending message or calling them to flag the problem. 110
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 09/12/2025How did an unqualified Irishman become a Government Medical Officer in Papua New Guinea? The story of John Taaffe, my great-great grandfather’s cousin, who forged a successful medical career thousands of miles from home, despite never qualifying as a doctor … jenniphillips.home.blog/2025/12/05/j...jenniphillips.home.blogJohn Taaffe: medicine man“Perhaps he was only one of the many who has drifted to these coral specks on the outer rim of civilization with the intention of severing their connection with the outside world and the memories i… 010
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsRegQualGenes @regqualgenes.bsky.social · 30/10/2025Discover new insights and future trends in #genealogy and talk to qualified genealogists at the RQG 2026 Conference in Birmingham, UK — open to everyone eager to explore #familyhistory and connect with leading experts. More information: www.qualifiedgenealogists.org/2026-confere... 0124
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsDysgu Gydol Oes / Lifelong Learning @learncardiff.bsky.social · 27/10/2025Our next Exploring the Past public lecture is taking place soon. This fascinating and free talk will be online. Title: Caribbean and West African Lives in British Ports Date: 12.11.25 Time: 19:00 bit.ly/4hubwQH @webstermedieval.bsky.social @cuhistarchrel.bsky.socialbit.lyExploring the Past/Historical Association free lecture, 12 Nov 2025, 7pmOur next online free lecture takes place on Weds 12 Nov 2025 at 7pm. Please sign up to book a place. 033
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 12/10/2025Always pleasing to find someone with an occupational surname employed in the appropriate line of work (C 5/619/99, Mason v Mason, TNA, 16 Dec 1699) #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #EarlyModern #Chancery 0112
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsGlamorgan Family History Society @glamorganfhs.bsky.social · 12/10/2025This week’s events: Aberkenfig Resource Centre open Tuesday 14 Oct 10am-2pm - visit to explore our extensive library & research collection, with help from friendly volunteers: www.glamfhs.org.uk/home/aberken... Merthyr branch AGM: Tuesday 14 Oct, 2pm, Soar Centre, Pontmorlais (members only)glamfhs.org.ukAberkenfig Resource Centre 031
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsCambrian Archaeological Association @cambriansarch.bsky.social · 07/10/2025🥁The Winner of the 2025 Gwobr Archaeoleg Cambrian Archaeological Award is Fiona Gray-Davies for her dissertation 'A genealogical study of Welsh immigrants to the United States of America' (MSc) University of Strathclyde. Well done, Fiona! 👏🎉 More here > bit.ly/3KKRtwL @unistrathclyde.bsky.social 061
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 07/10/2025I associated it with being a magazine my mum & aunties used to read, but had a brief period of readership post-Bunty … once I had autonomy over magazine choices I was more inclined towards Just 17, Smash Hits, Mizz, More, etc. - I think poor Jackie was too wholesome for the 90s! 120
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 07/10/202503 April 1971 - another Jackie genealogy reference: “Take a tube to the Strand and walk down the Strand until you come to Somerset House. A must for all egotists. Look up the record of your own birth, check that Grandpa really married Grandma in 1921. Browse to your heart's content completely free.” 130
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 07/10/2025Teenage nostalgia spoilt by the issue of Jackie dated 16 April 1988, page 27, which has genealogy listed in an A-Z of boring hobbies in an article titled ‘Do you bore for Britain?’ 250
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 01/10/2025Huge congratulations to fellow Strathclyde alumnus Fiona Gray-Davies. More details about her excellent dissertation research here: cambrians.org.uk/grants-and-p... - great to see research from a genealogical perspective being recognised in the wider academic history sphere. #Genealogy #FamilyHistorycambrians.org.ukDissertation Prize – Cambrian Archaeological AssociationThe Gwobr Archaeoleg Cambrian Archaeological Award Each year the Cambrian Archaeological Association gives a prize for the most original contribution to the archaeology and/or history of Wales and the... 011
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsGlamorgan Family History Society @glamorganfhs.bsky.social · 30/09/2025We’ll be at Kempton Park this Saturday (4th October) for The Family History Show. Visit our stand to find out more about the society, ask our volunteers for help with your research, or just stop by to say hello! thefamilyhistoryshow.com/london/ #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Glamorganthefamilyhistoryshow.comAbout The Family History Show, London 023
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 30/09/2025A busy and enjoyable day on Saturday fielding research queries for @glamorganfhs.bsky.social - from absolute beginners to some unusual & complicated scenarios. Pleased to see lots of interest in the archive tours, and great to have an engaged audience for my talk, with lots of questions afterwards. 020
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsGlamorgan Family History Society @glamorganfhs.bsky.social · 24/09/2025REMINDER: we’ll be at Glamorgan Archives for Open Doors this Saturday (27th September). Get help with your research from our genealogy experts, and join us for two FREE talks on using the census (11am) and breaking down research brickwalls (1.30pm). #Glamorgan #Cardiff #FamilyHistory #Genealogy 054
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsSociety of Genealogists @sogorg.bsky.social · 03/09/2025📸 A snapshot of the people and activities shaping our programme at the Society of Genealogists! Talks, visits, book club & more — always something to inspire family historians. 🍂 👉 Explore what’s coming up: portal.sog.org.uk/ev... 1119
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 27/08/2025Come along to Open Doors at Glamorgan Archives on 27 September. I’ll be presenting a free talk at 11am, on behalf of @glamorganfhs.bsky.social, about using the census for family history research. Find out more about what the Society has to offer, and get help with your #Genealogy queries. 034
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 25/08/2025New blogpost, exploring the connection between my eighteenth century ancestors in Wiltshire, and General Sir William Howe ... #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Wiltshire #RevolutionaryWar #EighteenthCentury jenniphillips.home.blog/2025/08/25/m...jenniphillips.home.blogMy Cholderton ancestors and General Sir William HoweCholderton is a village in Wiltshire, about nine miles from Salisbury, and close to the county border with Hampshire. It is often referred to as West Cholderton, to distinguish it from the hamlet o… 032
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 19/07/2025I will be giving a talk about mortality and how our Victorian ancestors died as part of this event. A great learning opportunity for anyone researching the lives (and deaths) of people who lived in Victorian London. #Genealogy #HistMed #FamilyHistory #Victorian #London 052
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsGlamorgan Family History Society @glamorganfhs.bsky.social · 12/07/2025Our special commemorative publication for the Society’s 50th anniversary has been distributed to members, and can also be viewed in the members’ area of our website. It includes fascinating articles on the Society’s history. Thanks to all contributors. #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #Glamorgan #History 074
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsGlamorgan Family History Society @glamorganfhs.bsky.social · 13/06/2025Next week’s branch meetings: Mon 16th June - Bridgend, 7.30pm, Len Evans Hall, Aberkenfig Tue 17th June - Pontypridd & Rhondda, 7.00pm, Pontypridd Museum - No Pasaran: Welsh Volunteers and the International Brigade - talk by Darren Macey #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Glamorgan #Bridgend #Pontypridd 053
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 07/06/2025Working ok for me, although I’ve had issues with it in the past. Have you tried the beta version to see if that works better for you? beta.thegazette.co.uk - I’ve not looked at it on a laptop yet, but I like the UX for mobile …beta.thegazette.co.ukHomepage | The Gazette 010
Jenni Phillips @jenniph.bsky.social · 01/06/2025Following on from this post, I have written about Jane in more detail here: jenniphillips.home.blog/2025/06/01/j... #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #HistMed #Swansea 032
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsGlamorgan Family History Society @glamorganfhs.bsky.social · 29/05/2025The June 2025 edition of the society’s journal has been uploaded to our website for members to access via the Journal Archive: www.glamfhs.org.uk/journal-arch... - it includes a variety of articles, letters, news from our branches, and more. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Glamorganglamfhs.org.ukJournal Archive 023
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsLucie Matthews-Jones @luciejones83.bsky.social · 28/05/2025Are you a neurodivergent researcher who uses archives? We want to hear from you! We will be running our 1st Divergent Minds in the Archive workshop at Imperial War Museum on 4th July, 10-4.15. More info👇🏻. Sign up here lnkd.in/eUFBQg3p. Closing date for applications June 4th #skyhistorians 25073
Reposted by Jenni PhillipsRegQualGenes @regqualgenes.bsky.social · 22/05/2025#savethedate The RQG Conference 2026 will be held on Saturday 25 April 2026 at the Birmingham & Midland Institute, Birmingham. Updates via the newsletter @RegQualGenes #Genealogy #FamilyHistory www.qualifiedgenealogists.org/2026-confere...qualifiedgenealogists.org2026 Conference - Register of Qualified GenealogistsRQG Conference 2026 Birmingham Ticket details, call for presentations and updates to be posted shortly - sign up to the newsletter hear about our plans and updates about the conference. 0149