"Who Do You Think You Are" Series 13, Episode #4: Cheryl

[Andrew Tarr]

... e.g. I didn't know a Master Mariner was a Captain and they had a ticket, which was a bit of paper, they studied for!  I've no mariners... but if I ever find one I'll know that much now.

My wife and I both had grandfather master mariners - and we both have their certificates (tickets) 

[bibliotaphist]

Was not so keen on this one and when she asked what a charwoman was  ...
Rosie

Until I came across the word 'charwoman' in a census record and looked it up, within the last five years, I did not know what it meant. I'd heard the word before, but I'd assumed it was something to do with tea. The world is full of things I don't know yet.

[Guy Etchells]

I did wince slightly when an original document (was it the ticket / permit?) was carefully removed from a plastic wallet - only to be seemingly folded.

But all in all a rather satisfying way to spend an hour and Cheryl seemed attentive and appreciative.   

I won't repeat in polite company what my reaction to that was.

I thought this was one of the better programmes of recent series, the reactions certainly seemed more sincere to me.
Cheers
Guy

[jillruss]

I did wince slightly when an original document (was it the ticket / permit?) was carefully removed from a plastic wallet - only to be seemingly folded.

But all in all a rather satisfying way to spend an hour and Cheryl seemed attentive and appreciative.   

I won't repeat in polite company what my reaction to that was.

I thought this was one of the better programmes of recent series, the reactions certainly seemed more sincere to me.
Cheers
Guy

Probably the same as my reaction! If I'm not mistaken, she was even smoothing along the creases!!

I do agree that this series - so far - has been an improvement on recent ones. However, I thought Cheryl's distinctly low key delivery was offputting. I wanted her to get just a little bit excited about what she was discovering but she just drawled on and on, albeit in that lovely Geordie accent.

Oh, and I was very, very miffed when her great grandfather's war record was produced. Neither of my grandfathers' records are anywhere to be found (i.e. destroyed). T'aint fair! 

[sarahsean]

I enjoyed this one as I have enjoyed the series so far although I am not sure if Danny Dyer hams up his accent or not! Anyway having mariners in the family it was interesting to see what that involved if only my mariner had not died before 1851 it might be easier to find out about him! I was also interested by her great grandfather and his war service.

I did wonder if he had kept some contact with his other family or not? My ancestor did the same thing married the housekeeper after his wife had died and she was a much younger woman. It cannot have been a bad thing as he was in his 90`s when he died!

I would have like to have known where the photograph and ticket came from surely they could have just said that was donated by a relative and that would have been enough.

All in all so far it has been an interesting seriess.

Sarah

[Ayashi]

Ancestry   has   Caroline  marrying  again in 1864 to  a  Robert Dixon    in Tynemouth  Christ  Church

My 4xgt grandfather (mariner from North Shields) ended up in the Old Bailey for smashing the skull of his shipmate, Robert Dixon. I wonder if it was a relation? I never did find out what happened to mine.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who nearly had a fit when she folded that document!

[Lydart]

.... and no gloves for handling the photo and the document ?     

(I've often noticed that there seems to be no 'rules' in record offices or on WDYTYA about gloves - why ?)


I have enjoyed all the programmes so far in this series, but oh !   the swaggering chap in the first programme .... wasn't he full of himself ?!    Much less crying too in this series, thank goodness .... salt tears can't be good for old documents !

[Spidermonkey]

The issue with Cheryl's family was probably more about an age difference maybe, and/or other personal issues they had regarding personality clashes and perceptions of intent.  e.g. did they think the young girl was "too young", or "a gold digger".  We don't know how well off the old fella was.  Being a housekeeper and sh4ggin' the widowed boss was pretty much the norm (else I'd not be here from my paternal side rumours would suggest)......

Something was bugging me last night, so I had a quick look and I suspect that part of the issue was also that the housekeeper was already married and had several children already.  If you find the birth records for Cheryl's grandmother and her twin sister there is a postem that says they were registered under the housekeeper's married surname even though they were the children of Mr Ridley.

I really enjoyed last night's episode and was pleasantly surprised how easy going and interested Cheryl came across as being.

[Ayashi]

Something was bugging me last night, so I had a quick look and I suspect that part of the issue was also that the housekeeper was already married and had several children already.  If you find the birth records for Cheryl's grandmother and her twin sister there is a postem that says they were registered under the housekeeper's married surname even though they were the children of Mr Ridley.

I suppose that would explain why they went with the marriage certs and not birth certs.