New series next week on the Beeb of Who Do You Think You Are?

[IgorStrav]

there is a William Ponsonby Elton born 1833 / 1835 Frome / Lullingtonn Somerset who was a Colour Sergeant Royal Marines Woolwich in 1861.

He ends up in Bristol, could be him but wants more research.

Good find, Jaywit.

I hope he wasn't too badly injured in the stabbing, but given the description in the programme of the depth of the wound, it seems a miracle he survived. 

He should be in the 1871, shouldn't he, is that in Bristol as you mention?  Will have a look.


Added:  this reminds me that there was no mention in the programme of the success of ex-chimney sweep gx2 grandfather's rise through the ranks from private to sergeant of the marines.  That was very significant progression, surely.

[Mowsehowse]

WATERMEN: You can learn something of them in Kate Grenville's "Secret River".
Starting in London in 1806, but involving transportation to Australia, this is a cracking good read.

Oh. Thank you for the recommendation, mowsehowse....that sounds like a book I would enjoy !
Looby 

   good.
Hopefully the library can get it for you.
Do let me know how you get on with it.

[Keith Sherwood]

I've done quite a bit of family research in the past for people who have ancestors in the Isle of Ely area, including Littleport, which gets mentioned in the programme.  The term Waterman was ubiquitous as an occupation given in the Censuses in this region in the 19thC.  The done to death comment about the locals having "webbed feet", alas, too...
Keith
Graham Swift's 1983 novel "Waterland" is a classic of it's kind, too.  Steeped in the history of Fenland.  Also made into a film with Jeremy Irons starring...who also appeared on WDYTYA many series ago, if I recollect, btw...

[Millmoor]

Totally agree with all the comments regarding how good this series has been.

I can also echo Mousehowses's recommendation of "The Secret River" but would also add that Kate Grenville's book "Searching for the Secret River" is also well worth reading. This is her account of the research she had to undertake and the writing process involved in producing this novel, which is based on her ancestor Solomon Wiseman. Showing how things have changed some 15 years on much of what she found in visits to Kew, Sog etc is now available online!

William

[heywood]

There is this for William Elton in 1891 1962 /15


William P Elton 56 yrs Pensioner (Naval) Drill Instructor b Frome, Somerset
Edwina E Elton 50 yrs
William G P Elton 19 yrs
Frank F Elton 16 hrs

In 1871 912/92/7
they are in Barracks

[ms_canuck]

Hello All.  Am thoroughly enjoying this series too. 

All the people, with the exception of Dame Judy Dench, are completely unknown to me over here in the great white North...   Kind of makes it more enjoyable for me, as I don't have any preconceptions about how they might behave.  Looking forward to the rest. 

I also enjoy coming over here after the shows to read all of your comments.

Cheers,

Ms_C

[Keith Sherwood]

Even though Pixie Lott's ancestry wasn't maybe quite as remarkable as some earlier ones in this series of WDYTYA, I thought she was a breath of fresh air this evening.  Her infectious enthusiasm meant I had a smile on my face throughout.  And I simply loved it when she sang along with her ancestor's distinguished military band on that enormous parade ground...
Keith

[Caw1]

I would have liked it if they had given us some background as to how her ancestor had become a member of the household cavalry….I was pleased for her though that there was some music within her family…

I’m not sure she quite grasped the extent of what her other ancestor had gone through in WWI….certainly a different twist on other WWI tales..
Not quite as inspiring as some of the previous ones…

Caroline

[Mowsehowse]

Possibly Pixie may not be as well versed in history as some of us, but what a delightful and natural lass she is.  I felt it was a pleasure to "meet" her.