Peter Calver of Lost Cousins

[Zaphod99]

Please don't think I was implying anything.

Zaph

I've communicated with Peter many times over the years. He did recently announce that he was passing his responsibilities over to another family member, but didn't give any indication that he was ill.

Zaph

Perhaps his earlier email implied to me the medical issues I mentioned in my post.  I certainly had the impression that it was his health which was a concern.  Didn't mean to be misleading.

[Rattus]

Very sad news, he has been one of genealogy's most distinctive voices. I've barely exchanged a couple of admin-related messages with him over the years but - as others have said - I felt like I knew him through the LC newsletters.

The final newsletter of 2025 announced that he was stepping back from the site due to unexpected health issues, with a typically forthright sign-off:

"Please don’t send emails of sympathy – it’s your entries on your My Ancestors that will provide me with sustenance during my final days."

(I hope he would forgive a brief 'pull quote' - the link is below.)

https://www.lostcousins.com/newsletters2/latedec25news.htm

RIP.

[LizzieW]

Rattus - thank you for that.  I don't remember getting that newsletter, but then it was Boxing Day and I was away at our daughter's house, so maybe I just deleted it by accident.

[purplekat]

Sad news, I haven't had the email with the news of Peter passing away but I did read the December newsletter.

I found his newsletters really helpful and interesting, his love of genealogy came across so
well and although I had only spoken to him a couple of times online over the years it's still a shock.

RIP Peter.

[ValJJJ]

Always helpful with a reply even though he must have explained the same thing frequently.  His masterclasses really were just that, and I often refer to them. 

I always looked forward to his next newsletter and will miss those with his roundup of family history bits and pieces in the news or in the pipeline.

[Zaphod99]

His master classes were so good. Well, they still are. When you compare them with some of the presentations from people on YouTube, people who I think would rather be game show hosts than genealogy historians, they are in a league of their own.

Please set out to educate rather than entertain. Some of the genealogy entertainers on YouTube really make me cringe.

Zaph

[Caw1]

It was devastating news to read of Peters passing and I had to read the email a couple of times for it to sink in.
Like others have said he will be greatly missed for the campaigning he did on behalf of the genealogy community and his wonderful newsletters full of useful information.
I had several occasions when I communicated with him and his advice was invaluable.
We can but hope that someone else will be able to continue the website ..
I will in his honour try and add some more details on my ancestors in memory of him.

RIP to a rare person.


Caroline