Category Archives: Ancestors Corner

Read stories and articles about the ancestors of Annie and Harvey Barnes.

Through Fire, Desert and Earthquake: Grandad Ellen’s Escapades

Cyril Norman Ellen wasn’t just a distinguished Air Commodore – he was Harvey’s grandad, a man whose life read like an adventure story. From dodging enemy aircraft in a burning seaplane to carving air routes across desert wilderness, surviving earthquakes … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner | Tagged | (Leave a comment)


Sapper George Harvey: 9th Battalion, Canadian Engineers (C.E.)

As Remembrance Day approaches, we pause to honour the countless individuals whose lives were forever altered by the First World War. This year, I’m looking closely at one such life – that of 2007216 Sapper George Harvey of “B” Company, … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner | Tagged | (Leave a comment)


Death Of A Son, Birth Of A Granddaughter

ON THIS DAY… 8TH SEPTEMBER I’ve relayed the story of my great-grandfather, Henry James Weaver, many times whenever the anniversary of his death comes around. But recently, a newspaper clipping reminded me of something I hadn’t considered before – when … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner, On This Day... | Tagged , | (Leave a comment)


Balancing The Books – Joseph Dando: Philadelphia’s Bookkeeping Pioneer

Joseph Dando, the Younger (my 3 x great-grandfather), was a figure who navigated the competitive world of 19th century commerce and left a visible mark on history. Born in Bristol, Gloucestershire, and later active in Philadelphia, USA, during the 1830s … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner | Tagged | (Leave a comment)


A Tavistock Widow’s Tragic End – Florence Smale (1888-1921)

ON THIS DAY… 18TH AUGUST On the 18th August 1921, my great-grandmother, Florence Weaver (née Smale), passed away at her parents’ home, 22 Ford Street, Tavistock, at just 33 years of age. Her death, sudden and tragic, left behind a … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner, On This Day... | Tagged , , | (Leave a comment)


Born Together, Gone Too Soon: The Story of Lily and May Hellyer

ON THIS DAY…13TH AUGUST In the late summer of 1880, twin girls were born into a Royal Naval family in Plymouth. Their father’s work kept the household afloat but also took him away from home, while their mother managed daily … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner, On This Day... | Tagged , , | (Leave a comment)


Pain and Legacy – 156 Years Since Robert Weaver’s Passing

5TH AUGUST Today, 5th August, marks the 156th anniversary of the death of Robert Weaver, a boot and shoemaker of Curry Rivel, Somerset, just one day short of his 80th birthday. Robert was my 4 x great-grandfather and he is … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner, On This Day... | Tagged | (Leave a comment)


A Bride at Seventeen: Marking Ruby Dando’s 140th Birthday

3rd AUGUST My great-grandfather’s half-sister, Ruby Kate Irene Dando, was born in America on 3rd August 1885 – exactly 140 years ago today. In 1902, Leigh in Essex witnessed her marriage to the Reverend Robert Stuart King, beloved rector of … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner, On This Day... | Tagged , | (Leave a comment)


A Tangled Legacy: The Will Of Emma Dando

In 1869, a legal dispute unfolded over the will of Emma Dando, who had died the previous year on 14th June 1868. The case, heard in the probate court, revolved around multiple wills and competing family interests. Emma was the … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner | Tagged | (Leave a comment)


Which Dando Fathered Sydney Herbert Hall?

Don’t want to read? Click PLAY to hear an AI-generated audio discussion on this blog post’s key topics. (The audio was produced by NotebookLM Deep Dive Conversation.) For a while now, my dad has had a DNA match to another … Continue reading

Posted in Ancestors Corner, Audio Enhanced Posts, DNA | Tagged , | (Leave a comment)