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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

#31daysofgraves - Day 9 - Lettering. When I visited our Carlin ancestor graves in Old Cumnock, I found one of the letters had fallen off. I stuck the 'B' back on for wee Bridget. This type of lettering doesn't always last but at least the indents are still in the stone.

The photo of the gravestone consists of three stacked rectangular tiers that narrow toward the top. The highest tier reads, "ALEX CARLIN / IN LOVING MEMORY OF / HIS TWIN DAUGHTERS / BRIDGET AND MARY / WHO DIED IN INFANCY / 9TH JUNE, 1892". The middle tier reads, "ALSO / HIS BELOVED WIFE / BRIDGET McINULTY / WHO DIED 1ST FEB. 1908 / AGED 51 YEARS". The widest, bottom tier is engraved with the initials "R.I.P."
At the base of the headstone, a red circle highlights a metal B amongst a small cluster of green weeds

The same as the previous picture but showing myself kneeling beside the headstone and the B for Bridget in place on the headstone.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Mum and I are on our way to London to learn about our Huguenot ancestors, the Dorees, who were silk weavers in Spitalfields. Very fortunate that Society of Genealogists is putting this event on while Mum is visiting from #nz #familyhistory #genealogy #archives

a selfie photograph of two women, mother and daughter, on the train

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Society of Genealogists @sogorg.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Hi #GenHour! #AATP26 has started!! Are you joining? Almost 200 recorded 10-minute talks from more than 150 speakers, covering genealogy, local history, research techniques, archives and more - what are you watching? www.community.sog.org.uk

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

#31daysofgraves - Day 8 - animals. A little visitor to this headstone in Kirkton of Menmuir, Brechin, Scotland

An old, weathered stone gravestone dated 1880 with a small red admiral butterfly resting near the top decorative scrollwork, framed by green oak leaves and a blue sky.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

#31daysofgraves - Day 7 - home. Dad and I visited Kincardine O'Neil, in Aboyn, Aberdeenshire Scotland. This was "home" for my 4x great-grandparents William Calder and Jane Forbes, whose sons emigrated to NZ. The kirkyard was full of Calder and Forbes headstones, so we knew we had the right place!

This photo captures a man and a woman standing close together and smiling in a grassy graveyard in front of the stone ruins of a church gable under an overcast, cloudy sky.
They are standing slightly to the left of the frame. The man is wearing a brown t-shirt, dark pants, a tweed cap, and sunglasses, while the woman wears a black long-sleeved shirt and dark pants. The ancient, weathered stone wall behind them features a prominent triangular gable with a large arched window opening and a smaller slit window to its right. Numerous gray stone tombstones of varying shapes and sizes are scattered across the uneven green grass in the foreground and to the right.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

My plans for the week! Is anyone else going along to these events, either in person, or online? Let me know! #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #nz #aatp

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

#AncestryHour so many #genealogy and #familyhistory events! #AATP starts online tomorrow. I won't make the NZSG Auckland Family History expo this weekend, but making up for it here! Huguenot family history at SOG in London, 2 days at The National Archives. Next week APGs PMC event online too 🙌

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

#31daysofgraves Day 6 - weather. On the cliff above the seaside village of Whitby, North Yorkshire, the headstones of St Mary's church have been eroded by years of salty storms. The only word left visible on this one is "also" which made me chuckle!

A weathered stone wall monument is mounted against a rustic, multi-toned stone block wall. The memorial features a triangular pediment at the top, ornately carved with a funerary urn, crossed palm fronds, and a small wreath motif near the apex. Below this decorative section is a large rectangular stone plaque with a heavily eroded and textured surface, making the original inscription illegible. The monument rests on a thick, tiered stone base sitting on a stone-paved floor, with a small patch of green weeds growing in the corner to the right.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

#31daysofgraves Day 5 - Vehicle. At Fauldhouse Cemetery in Bathgate, Scotland you can "drive-thru" in your car. Paying our respects to my 2x greatparents Thomas and Helen Shedden (nee Russell), their son John, and Helen's mother Janet Russell.

On the left, a row of weathered stone gravestones stands on a sloped green grass lawn. The largest headstone in the foreground is a prominent grey stone monument inscribed with the name "BROWN" at its base.

To the right, a paved asphalt path curves alongside the grass. A person wearing a blue denim jacket and long dark trousers stands on the grass looking toward the graves, while another person stands near the open door of a vibrant blue modern car parked on the path. The rear of a grey vehicle is partially visible in the immediate right foreground under a cloudy, white sky.

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Society of Genealogists @sogorg.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

All About That Place returns 7 to 16 October: 190 talks, 150 speakers, 10 themes, 10 days of 10-minute talks. Plan your days here: sog.org.uk/welcome-to-a... #AATP #Genealogy #AATP26

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

#31daysofgraves Day 4 - "Entrance" - this is the lychgate entrance to St Peter's church and graveyard. Lychgates were designed as a sheltered waiting point for mourners carrying the body from home to the church for last rites and burial. This one's around 140 years old.

Photo is of the lychgate entrance to St Peter's Church, Liverpool.
Date built: c. 1886–1887
Architects: Grayson and Ould (George Enoch Grayson and Edward A. Ould)
Design: Timbered canopy on stone side walls featuring a half-hipped shingle roof, an arch-braced frame, and finely carved bressumers and bargeboards. Painted in contrasting black and white.
Listing Status: Grade II listed structure

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Jane Hough 🌳🧬🏡 @allthosebefore.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Another brilliant (and free) resource is the Wilson Collection. I only discovered this one this year, and I’ve made extensive use of it for researching ancestors who emigrated to NZ. wilsoncollection.co.nz

wilsoncollection.co.nz

The Wilson Collection

This free genealogy collection coordinated by Diane Wilson over the past 40 years includes records from many and varied sources to assist with your research.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

I'm visiting The National Archives in London next week. Let me know if you're needing a record retrieved and photographed! Details and pricing are on my website. I'm sure I'll go again too. #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #nz

The image is an announcement from The Family Archives offering record retrieval services from The National Archives in London.
Details
• Service: Archival record retrieval and genealogy research
• Contact Email: info@thefamilyarchives.co.nz
• Deadline: 8:00 PM on 4th October NZST

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

#31daysofgraves Day 3 - 'glass' was tricky I thought but happened to pay a visit to St Peter's in Liverpool today. Many of the graves are topped with this crumbled glass! This is the grave of late Liverpool manager Bob Paisley and his wife Jessie.

A dark gray marble graveside filled with green crushed gkass chips. A little flowering pink plant in a terracotra pot is placed on it.

The headstone text is in gold, and reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ROBERT (BOB) PAISLEY O.B.E.
1919 – 1996
DEAR HUSBAND OF JESSIE
A DEVOTED DAD & CARING GRANDAD
"He remained an ordinary man
amid extraordinary achievements"
JESSIE PAISLEY
1915 – 2012
A VERY SPECIAL LADY
Both forever missed by all the family

There is also a picture of a football.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#31daysofgraves Day Two - Urn. This 19th century monument for the Tweedie family was spotted at St Brides Church, in Douglas, Lanarkshire. #Scotland

An eye-level shot of the historic stone St Bride's Church under an overcast sky in Douglas, Scotland. In the foreground, an ornate, weathered stone monument topped with a decorative urn stands prominently on a green grassy lawn. The surrounding churchyard features several aged gray headstones and monuments. In the background, the gothic-style stone church building is visible with arched stained-glass windows, and two people can be seen walking among the graves on the left.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

#31daysofgraves is here again yahoo! Day 1 is 'flowers'. This beauty from 1714 is in Kirkton of Menmuir cemetery, Scotland. Flowers. Feature in the borders on both sides.

The image shows an old, weathered stone marker, likely an 18th-century Scottish gravestone or table-stone fragment, featuring a central carved coat of arms with the date "1714" and the Latin phrase "MEMENTO MORI" at the bottom.
Visible Features
• Central Shield: Displays initials (appear to be "M / M" or similar) above the year 1714.
• Insciption: The phrase MEMENTO MORI ("remember that you must die") is carved along the lower horizontal band.
• Flanked Carvings: Flanked by elaborate scrollwork, drapery or feathers, and initials/symbols on the outer pillars (such as "C / M" on the left and "G / G" or decorative floral patterns on the right).
• Material & Condition: Mossy and worn

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I love helping people sort through their family history materials - photographs, documents and more - and organising them into real stories for the next generation. Rest assured, your family taonga are in safe-hands - I treat them the same as I would my own. #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #nz

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Hi #ancestryhour folks, heads been deep in WWII this week, finishing up a family history narrative for Polish refugees who came out to #nz in the '40s. So much of the story was too difficult for the previous generation to talk about. Lost to time! We pulled together as much as we could. #genealogy

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#TilesOnTuesday the remaining section of tiled floor amongst the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey

A photograph of weathered floor tiles. Small square and triangular ceramic tiles arranged in geometric motifs. Some have impressed or stamped circular rosette and floral patterns. Colours are variations of reddish-brown, grey, and dark blue-black. All of the tiles are showing age and wear.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I’m speaking at All About That Place 2026! Ten days of free online talks from an amazing range of speakers. Join me for “Making a start on New Zealand Research: Births, Deaths and Marriages” on Monday 12th October at 8am BST (8pm NZDT). #AATP26 #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #nz Link in comments ⬇️

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Did any of your great-grandparent's live long enough for you to meet them? I was lucky enough to meet my great-grandmother Marjorie. Do we look alike? She lived to age 90. My own Poppa lived to 94 and met both of my daughters, who called him "Old Pop." #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #nz

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#AncestryHour highlight of my week was seeing a photo of my 4x great-grandma pop up on a Māori Ancestry FB group. Kia ora cuzzy! She's my ancestor too, & that baby she's holding was my great-grandmother! Poster descended from one of the women I'd found on the #nz suffrage petition of 1893 this week

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A little weekend research challenge for those of you with #nz ancestors - can you find their signature in the suffrage petition? Let me know! #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #womenssuffrage

A close-up photograph of several large, tightly wound paper rolls from the historic 1893 Women’s Suffrage Petition sheets in New Zealand, displayed against a solid purple background. Overlaying the image is white text that reads "Spot the Suffragist" and "Help me mark the 133rd anniversary of Women’s Suffrage in Aotearoa New Zealand by searching for your female ancestors in the petition! By Zoe Pullman." A Substack web address is visible at the bottom

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Society of Genealogists @sogorg.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

📅 7–16 October 2026: All About That Place is almost here! 🍂🕰️ Join the Society of Genealogists for 10 days of expert talks, resources and inspiration, all about the places our ancestors called home. 💻 Online and free: open to all. Join from anywhere in the world sog.org.uk/welcome-to-a... #GenHour

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#GenHour I'm doing a little family research happy dance today - booked in to SOG Huguenots event in London, TNA records retrieval AND research day there in Oct. Hugely exciting times for a small town lass from New Zealand 🇳🇿

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Would you rather find your ancestors' photograph, or their signature? Here are some of the ones in my family archives, from a great-grandmother to a 4x great-grandfather! There is something special about seeing their handwriting. #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #nz

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Rather than starting with the people I started with the migration of the magnificent creatures that drew them to Tasmania. I hope you can take some time to reflect on their part in our story 🐋 #familyhistory #genealogy #ancestry #nz #whales

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

In Aotearoa it is Māori language week. Sharing this whakataukī that informs my work as a family historian. I try to honour my tūpuna. These wāhine navigated the challenges of colonisation in te reo Māori (their mothers' language) and in English (their fathers). #familyhistory #whakapapa #ngaitahu

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

I've joined a genealogy writing project called Projectkin, looking at the theme of migration stories. I'm contributing to the "whaling ships to New Zealand" pathway. First piece is an intro to my main source, more to come this week! #genealogy #familyhistory #nz #whaling #ancestors

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

To age is a beautiful privilege, and one denied to many. Having photographs across the lifespan of some of my Māori ancestors is a real taonga. This wāhine had lost five of her 11 children by the time she died in her 70s. #familyhistory #genealogy #aotearoa #whakapapa #archives

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#TilesOnTuesday took this one in Leeds Museum on the weekend. I know it's meant to be all impressive and ancient but honestly it just gives me the giggles. Hope it makes you smile too! 😁

The wolf and twins mosaic, Roman, from Aldborpugh North Yorkshire, 300 - 400 AD. Depicts a black wolf smiling somewhat maniacally (hence giving me the giggles), with small figures of Romulus and Remus underneath, a tree, and diamond patterns around the border. Tan, brown, white and black tiles are used.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

#ancestryhour been digging deep this week into all the cemetery photographs I took in Scotland, trying to join dots. I conclude thst there are too many William Calders in Scotland 😅

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#familyhistory puzzle? I would love to help! One of the best things about #genealogy is the brain workout you get. It tests your research skills, mathematics, lateral thinking, problem solving and more. Sometimes we just need a fresh pair of eyes! Get in touch if you'd like me to take a look. #nz

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

#ancestryhour the 'cousin bait' is really working overtime this month! Since I started writing about my great-grandmother's family I've been contacted by six different descendants of her 10 siblings! Aiming for a full set 😁

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

What's the oldest original document in your family archives? This isn't the oldest I have, but it certainly has some cool features - foxing, sellotape, missing bits, dates crossed out and replaced! #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #nz

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

#AncestryHour Reflecting on unexpected moments of ancestral connection on a road-trip through Scotland. I’d love to hear about your experiences of this too! #genealogy #familyhistory #ancestors #nz #scotland zoepullman4thefamilyarchives.substack.com/p/the-fields...

Promotional Substack cover: title "The fields that they ploughed" — an essay by Zoe Pullman about unexpected ancestral connection — overlaid on a photo of golden harvested fields, hedgerows and scattered trees beneath a wide, cloud-filled sky.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

#stainedglasssunday this beauty was created by the Lochaber Centre, Fort William to mark completed renovation of the West Highlands Museum in 1998.

A stained glass window with a red sun, lightblue sky, a Grey bird, green hills, a tree, and a deep blue river with a Grey fish.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I was thinking about how great it is that my Pouhere Taonga Heritage New Zealand membership gets me into a bunch of National Trust for Scotland sites including this castle with this giant deck chair. What was less great, was getting stuck in said chair 🤣 #history #castles #scotland #nz

Zoe sitting in the same chair laughing her head off because she's stuck

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

#GenHour when you can't find your ancestor in the kirkyard so you figure "it's probably this one" 😅

A moss covered headstone that's fallen over making the inscription unreadable

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Do you have a favourite multi-generation photograph in your family archives? This is one of mine, taken in 1905, Southland New Zealand. #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #nz

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The tiny village of Douglas, Lanarkshire was the birthplace of my 3rd great-grandmother Janet Clarkson. Popped into the kirkyard of St Brides Parish Church & found 3x Clarkson headstones! Recommend the Black Douglas pies from Douglas Deli! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥧😋 #familyhistory #genealogy #ancestors #roadtrip #Scotland

A photo of St Brides Parish Church in Douglas, Lanarkshire. Green grass dotted with headstones, stone church with clock tower, and trees in the background. Grey skies.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

#AncestryHour I've had such a fab day roadtripping through Scotland! Visiting very obscure tiny places where both Mum and Dad's ancestors lived. My camera reel looks like this 😁

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I love finding old photographs that bring family stories to life. So far I have 7/8 on my maternal (below) and 5/8 on my paternal side. Most of these are originals that I am currently looking after, others have been found online. And one in the police museum! #family history #genealogy #archives #nz

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Congrats to the accountant, administrator, advertiser, archivist, business manager, CEO, designer, editor, genealogist, historian, researcher, photographer, publisher, scanner, web designer, and writer (aka Zoe)! Thanks to all my clients, colleagues, followers, friends and family for supporting me.

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Folks you won't believe the update I've got on the story of Maria Coveny, my 2x great grandmother - read all about it on my Substack! #familyhistory #genealogy #archives #nz zoepullman4thefamilyarchives.substack.com/p/oh-sugar-c...

a black and white photograph of two little girls in vintage clothing circa 1908, holding hands with their mother in a long black dress. they're standing in the garden in front of a large wooden boarding house, on Hawkestone Street, Wellington, New Zealand

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Happy #familyhistory month to #Australia and #Aotearoa #NZ! This is my favourite native pōhutukawa tree back home. Full of ancient wisdom and stories to tell, gnarly and complicated, full of twists and turns - and so very beautiful. Just like our family trees. #genealogy #archives

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Part II of Chasing Charles is finished! Join me as I build a picture of the lives of my 2x great-grandparents Charles and Alice Single from records and newspaper archives. #genealogy #familyhistory #archives #nz

open.substack.com

Chasing Charles – Part II

The story of an alcoholic man and a resilient woman, by Zoe Pullman

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Made a flying visit to London over the weekend - all the ancestral pins on my map were calling me! But it was a touristy/fun trip with the kids - "none of your boring dead people work Mum!" 😅 will have to go back soon on my own #genealogy #familyhistory #archives #nz #ancestryhour #genhour

A photo of me in front of Big Ben clock tower in London. On a "hop on hop off" bus tour

The Tower of London, great Yeomans tour. whistle stop look at the crown jewels.

The Natural History Museum - view of the exterior and dinosaur skeleton

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thefamilyarchives.bsky.social @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

#genhour I'm late to the party, because I've been having a really great records day! Does that ever happen to you? It felt like my ancestors were smiling down on me - I found 3 records from 3 different branches, 2 of which were in the same place, but a total coincidence to find both. Happy!

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