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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Spidermonkey on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:21 BST (UK)

Title: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Spidermonkey on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:21 BST (UK)
So, what did you all think about this episode - were you captivated by coach driving in Colchester or confused by court procedings in Cornwall  ;)?

I liked it (no surprise really - I can count on one hand the episodes that I don't like!) and I thought that Nigel came across really well - enthusiastic and keen to hear and understand what life was like at the time of his ancestors.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: IgorStrav on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:23 BST (UK)
There seemed to be an expert for everything!  :D

They're never around when I'm doing my research, have to develop my own expertise  ::)
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Spidermonkey on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:25 BST (UK)
 :D Maybe there is a cupboard full of experts at the production company's base.  When they know what is in the family tree, the director sends a runner down to a filing cabinet in the basement to unleash them and wheel them into the shot  ;)
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: chirp on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:30 BST (UK)
I enjoyed the programme but let's be honest I'd watch Nigel Havers knitting socks! It seemed to me that the Havers name disappeared somewhere from the family tree which Uncle Tony had - or did I just miss it? I wondered if this was going to be investigated but it wasn't.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: toffeebear on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:34 BST (UK)
I enjoyed it, but as pp said, I always do! Especially interesting as my great-grandfather was a cab driver in London.

I thought the gravestones looked a little 'clean'! I can never read any of my ancestors' graves, if I manage to find them!

Toffee
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Spidermonkey on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:35 BST (UK)
I think it was a female Havers who married a Buckingham, son of George  and Elizabeth Hamblion
I enjoyed the programme but let's be honest I'd watch Nigel Havers knitting socks! It seemed to me that the Havers name disappeared somewhere from the family tree which Uncle Tony had - or did I just miss it? I wondered if this was going to be investigated but it wasn't.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: LizzieW on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:38 BST (UK)
I thought it interesting that when he found John Couch's grave, he just said "Oh David's will be near by" and promptly found it.  He didn't seem to be thrilled that John Couch was his 3 x g.grandfather, as if all he was interested in was David, his 2 x g.grandfather - could just have been the way the film was edited. 

Yes - I liked all those researchers and also the fact that they managed to find so much evidence in newspapers.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:41 BST (UK)
Another good episode I thought!

Enhanced by spotting my 3rd Great Grandfather's name in the Colchester Thieves! ;D ;D
(I rewound it to double-check!)
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: heywood on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:45 BST (UK)
I think it was a female Havers who married a Buckingham, son of George  and Elizabeth Hamblion
I enjoyed the programme but let's be honest I'd watch Nigel Havers knitting socks! It seemed to me that the Havers name disappeared somewhere from the family tree which Uncle Tony had - or did I just miss it? I wondered if this was going to be investigated but it wasn't.


It was Agnes Sophia Buckingham who married Daniel Havers.

Yes, it was enjoyable and I liked the various methods of gathering information to flesh out the names.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Spidermonkey on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:45 BST (UK)
Another good episode I thought!

Enhanced by spotting my 3rd Great Grandfather's name in the Colchester Thieves! ;D ;D
(I rewound it to double-check!)
What a fantastic bonus - did you know he would be there?
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Spidermonkey on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:47 BST (UK)
I think it was a female Havers who married a Buckingham, son of George  and Elizabeth Hamblion
I enjoyed the programme but let's be honest I'd watch Nigel Havers knitting socks! It seemed to me that the Havers name disappeared somewhere from the family tree which Uncle Tony had - or did I just miss it? I wondered if this was going to be investigated but it wasn't.

It was Agnes Sophia Buckingham who married Daniel Havers.

Yes, it was enjoyable and I liked the various methods of gathering information to flesh out the names.

Yes, my brain wasn't really in gear was it.   It would have to have been a male for the name to have carried forward.  Perhaps time for bed for me  :)
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 31 July 13 22:49 BST (UK)
Another good episode I thought!

Enhanced by spotting my 3rd Great Grandfather's name in the Colchester Thieves! ;D ;D
(I rewound it to double-check!)
What a fantastic bonus - did you know he would be there?

I had never heard of The Thieves before!
However I did know he was an upstanding and well-respected citizen of Colchester!
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: annaS on Wednesday 31 July 13 23:06 BST (UK)
I liked it and laughed out loud.  He had such a sense of fun.   Anna
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Skoosh on Wednesday 31 July 13 23:12 BST (UK)
"Havers!"......quite enjoyed it though.

Skoosh.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: candleflame on Thursday 01 August 13 00:10 BST (UK)
I thought it was a good episode as well. Loved the mental picture of that Elizabeth who came down in her lift looking like queen Victoria to inspect the gathered family and the Geoffrey who hadn't come getting into bother. Lovely family anecdotes.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: cms on Thursday 01 August 13 10:33 BST (UK)
It was great and so was Nigel. I think he could still be called posh though!
As always, more questions come up than are answered, eg what happened to the maid whose child was born and then died? And did the builder John Hum make a go of it?
Questions, questions. They can't all be answered in a programme an hour long and they are the sort of questions that come up in any family tree research. Perhaps someone might have the facilities to research...
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Spidermonkey on Thursday 01 August 13 11:09 BST (UK)
Not sure about John Hum - there is a death in Colchester in 1856  :-\

That would be John Hum senior.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: cms on Thursday 01 August 13 11:17 BST (UK)
That could be him then. They didn't live long lives generally did they :(
We didn't get to hear what David Couch died of either.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 01 August 13 11:18 BST (UK)
I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Usual frustrations when I am saying "look at the census!!" , and when the grave is 'just there' etc .... But have leaent to ive with them. 

Seemed to roll out a specialist historian for everything didnt they!

Loved the shots of castle park around Colchester castle, and of Colchester generally, as I know the town a bit.

Do you know, KGarrad, I spotted the Garrod on the 'thieves' list too!! I was looking for any names than rang a bell, as I have Essex ancestors (somewhere way back I think one of my Kemps married a Garrard)

And I also found the bit about running over the oyster-seller interesting - as I have ancestors who were oyster fishermen in Essex.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: jan57 on Thursday 01 August 13 11:21 BST (UK)
Ann Bryant( b 1834/5 in Pelynt)  is  a  servant   in 1861  in  St Veep  Cornwall   and then goes  on to   marry   in 1865  a Thomas Salt  , 1871  sees  her  in Lerrin ?  with   Thomas and  2 children  1881  sees  her   still  married   with    a further   3  children ,  Ann dies in 1902  and Thomas  in 1929  They   lived in  various  places  ,  but  always  in the Liskeard  RD
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: cms on Thursday 01 August 13 11:22 BST (UK)
I think my favourite bit, not having ancestors from anywhere in common, was finding the mill, looking just like the old photograph and with all the mill workings still in it.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: cms on Thursday 01 August 13 11:24 BST (UK)
Jan, that is interesting. Not a bad life then we hope!
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 01 August 13 11:36 BST (UK)

Do you know, KGarrad, I spotted the Garrod on the 'thieves' list too!! I was looking for any names than rang a bell, as I have Essex ancestors (somewhere way back I think one of my Kemps married a Garrard)

Abraham Garrad was a Veterinary Surgeon in Colchester; his sons were also Vet's.
The family was originally from the Suffolk/Essex borders.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: jan57 on Thursday 01 August 13 11:50 BST (UK)
Jan, that is interesting. Not a bad life then we hope!

 I  don't think so  ,   her  husband Thomas,  in  1901   was  a  Grain  and Corn Merchant ,(employer) Previous  2   census    he  was a  Storekeeper   under a  Corn Merchant   and 1871     down  as an Ag Lab ,    Probate   in 1933( though  he died  in 1929)  shows  him  leaving  £450   to  Joshua Salt  (  his son )   
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: tidybooks on Thursday 01 August 13 11:56 BST (UK)
Hi All,

I was disappointed that they never expanded on the Havers line very much. I thought maybe they done that because it was boring or something like that.

Cecil Robert Havers (Nigel’s Grandfather) in 1911 census, was still a student of law presumably, aged 21. His father was Daniel a solicitor, b 1860 approx. and wife Agnes Sophia b 1863. They had 5 live births and no infant deaths.

In 1861 census, a 7month old Daniel is staying with parents, Charles, a 37 yo Ironmonger with his wife, Eliza 35yo and 4 children under 7 with 2 servants.

In the 1851 Census, Charles 28, is Head of the household with 3 sisters and 1 brother, but no parents. I think this may have been worth a mention. I have not come across this often, 5 siblings without parents. That would have been interesting to clear that up.

Tom
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: IgorStrav on Thursday 01 August 13 12:29 BST (UK)
Ann Bryant( b 1834/5 in Pelynt)  is  a  servant   in 1861  in  St Veep  Cornwall   and then goes  on to   marry   in 1865  a Thomas Salt  , 1871  sees  her  in Lerrin ?  with   Thomas and  2 children  1881  sees  her   still  married   with    a further   3  children ,  Ann dies in 1902  and Thomas  in 1929  They   lived in  various  places  ,  but  always  in the Liskeard  RD

Thanks for that, Jan, I also wondered what had happened to her. 

And whilst the baby had Couch as a middle name, I thought it was stretching it a bit to have Nigel say that proved David Couch had acknowledged her and taken part in her care over and above the affiliation order.  Because of course lots of illegitimate children had their father's name within their own names, but that didn't mean anything except that the mother wanted to document the father.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: groom on Thursday 01 August 13 12:33 BST (UK)
The Hamblion name rang a bell - when I checked it is the name of my late friend's granddaughter. I traced it back last night and discovered she is descended from one of Elizabeth Hamblion's brothers, so a very distant relative of Nigel Havers.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: halhawk on Thursday 01 August 13 13:12 BST (UK)
An enjoyable episode and I thought Nigel Havers came over as genuinely interested in his ancestors' stories.  Loved that he was looking for 'not posh' ancestors, but ended up finding a 'cad'!

I agree that he was a bit romantic about David caring about little Eleanor - I don't know too much about affiliation orders etc, but if Ann had to go to the Petty Sessions, he presumably wasn't too caring!

The one thing that slightly irritated me was when he kept asking 'what's happened to Elizabeth junior'.  Uncle Tony's family tree had already established her marriage in (I think) 1862.  A fascinating story about the rise and fall of the Hamblions though!
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Spidermonkey on Thursday 01 August 13 14:44 BST (UK)
Not sure about John Hum - there is a death in Colchester in 1856  :-\
The above death must be John Hum's father.  John and Rosina can be followed throught he census upto 1901, albeit with a slight change of name - to Hume

By 1911, John HUme is a widower, giving his occupation as a retired architect, and living with his married daughter (Frances Buchanan) and her family in Chiswick

Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: cms on Thursday 01 August 13 15:37 BST (UK)
That is an unexpected outcome.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: davidft on Thursday 01 August 13 18:57 BST (UK)
David and Maria Couch's daughter Georgina Mary remember her deceased sister Georgina May by giving that name to her own daughter


Births Sep 1896 
Jefferies  Georgina May    Croydon  2a 209
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: kooky on Thursday 01 August 13 21:19 BST (UK)
I enjoyed this one. Nigel Havers is always easy to watch! He was very interested and grasped things quickly.
This is a good thread for my first visit back to Rootschat for some time.
Kooky
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: John915 on Thursday 01 August 13 21:32 BST (UK)
Good evening,

OH and I enjoyed it also, we do however get a little fed up with the following up of 1 or 2 people and ignoring the "tree". The early series spent more time on researching the family tree as far back as possible. Less time on individuals as they do now, I remember one that went back (theoretically) to GOD as the tree went back to the ancient line of royalty.

I'm also wondering if the present day haulage firm of HAMBLION has a family connection somewhere.

John915       
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Old Blue on Friday 02 August 13 11:17 BST (UK)
OH and I enjoyed it also, we do however get a little fed up with the following up of 1 or 2 people and ignoring the "tree". The early series spent more time on researching the family tree as far back as possible. Less time on individuals as they do now, I remember one that went back (theoretically) to GOD as the tree went back to the ancient line of royalty.
     

That was Matthew Pinsent  :)
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: stonechat on Friday 02 August 13 13:06 BST (UK)
It was a good and interesting programme

I fell asleep so caught up with the missing sections through iPlayer
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: heywood on Friday 02 August 13 13:16 BST (UK)
It just shows how difficult it must be to plan these programmes.
I have enjoyed the concentration on a couple of people rather than a whistle stop tour through a tree.
Presumably the individuals are chosen because there is other documentation about them rather than just census information and this gives a more rounded view. I wish I could find out more about some of mine rather than just name,occupation and family.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Greensleeves on Friday 02 August 13 14:10 BST (UK)
I found it really interesting, particularly as I know Colchester fairly well.  I enjoyed looking up the censuses whilst the programme was on, keeping on step ahead, so to speak.
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Friday 02 August 13 15:19 BST (UK)
I thought that was a very interesting episode. Nigel Havers came over as a lovely person and the program seemed well compiled.

How I wish I could have answers and information on some of my ancestors in the same way though. It all seems so effortless. However, the effort is what makes it worthwhile really.

Look forward to the future episodes as there seems to be an excellent line up.  :)
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: John915 on Saturday 03 August 13 20:06 BST (UK)
Good evening,

The only thing that annoyed me was all that hair. I was born the year before him and all I've got is a fringe running from one ear to the other around the back ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

John915
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: stonechat on Saturday 03 August 13 21:01 BST (UK)
Sorry to hear that John, I am a child of 1951 and got nearly all my hair and the original colour too.
My beard alas is no longer ginger
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: LizzieW on Sunday 04 August 13 12:32 BST (UK)
Sorry John and Stonechat, I'm a child of 1941 and still have all my hair and almost as thick as it always was.  I'm always being told that a women of my age shouldn't have such good hair.  ::)
Title: Re: BBC TV "WDYTYA?" Series 10 Episode #2: Nigel Havers
Post by: Grothenwell on Wednesday 28 August 13 21:38 BST (UK)
sorry for the delay, just catching up on this one on sky+. Very good so far, Nigel seems a very nice chap, but his 94 year old uncle was brilliant - sharp as a tack, with all his marbles and a few more besides.