Category: Great stories

Genealogy, Great stories

Messy Margaret Ann Green

DNA Mel
Margaret Ann Green Profile Ancestry

I have been working on improving my CC7 this year at Wikitree and slowly learning how to use it. 

Today I am opened Margaret Green as she was missing parents on Wikitree. When I went to my Ancestry tree I see that she has plenty! As you can see above she has three fathers and three mothers – What a Mess!!

Margaret was once the wife of My Great Grandfather James Dunstan – I didn’t know much about her when I started researching my family tree but today I plan to fix that. 

Margaret Ann Green was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England in 1874 and her birth was registered in the Quarter of Apr-Jun. (England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index 1837-1915 Volc 8c Page 326).

In the 1881 Census she is living at 83 Grey Mare Lane in Bradford, Lancashire, England, Age 6, Scholar, Born in Barrow in Furness and she is living with 

John Green – Head / Father Age 32 – Insurance Agent born Manchester

Emma Cath Green, Wife / Mother Age 28 – Derby

Francis Henry Green, Son / Brother Age 8 – Scholar, Barrow in Furness

Charles Green, Son/ Brother Age 4 – Scholar, Barrow in Furness

John W Green, Son / Brother Age 1 Born Manchester

1881 Census

1881 Census Bradford Manchester

1891 Census

In 1891 the family are living at 20 Sarah Ann St in Gorton, Lancashire, England. 

Frank Green, 43 Head, Hair Dresser, Manchester

Emma Green, 38 Wife, Derby

Frances H Green, 18 Son, Hair Dresser, Manchester

Margaret A Green 16 Dau, Mantle Maker, Barrow in Furness

Charles Fk 14 Son, Hair Dresser, Barrow in Furness

John Wm, 12 Son, Scholar, Manchester

Henry E Green 3 Son, Scholar, Manchester

1891 Census

Marriage

Marriage – 26th Dec 1894 she Marries James Dunstan My Great Grandfather at Parish church, after banns,  at St Barnabas in Openshaw, Manchester England. 

Witnesses to the wedding are Charles Frederick Green and Elizabeth Norman

James was a Hair Dresser so maybe she met him through the profession. 

James was 19yrs and a bachelor, Margaret Ann was 20 yrs and a Spinster. Both were residing at 19 Marple St.

Margarets Father was listed as John Francis Green – Hairdresser

Birth of Mary Emma Dunstan

Mary Emma Dunstan was born on 3rd August 1895 in Openshaw, Lancashire, England. 

James was Aged 19yrs and Margaret Ann Green was 21yrs when she was born. 

Divorce

Divorce was granted by the High Court of Justice on 15th Jan 1900 in Manchester, Lancashire. 

Petition was filed on 13th Sept 1898 by James Dunstan against Margaret Ann Dunstan and John Lloyd. 

  1. “The petition of James Dunstan of Number 7 Ashton New Road Beswick Manchester in the new County of Lancaster Hairdresser showith ; that your petitioner was on the twenty sixth day of December was lawfully married to Margaret Ann Dunstan then Margaret Ann Green Spinster at the Parish Church of Saint Barnabas Openshaw in the county of Lancaster.
  2. That after his said marriage your petitioner lived and cohabited with his said wife at number 5 edge lane Openshaw Manchester and that your Petitioner and his said wife have had issue of their said marriage one childe only to wit Mary Emma Dunstan who was born on the third day of August one thousand eight hundred and ninty five
  3. That on the fifteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and ninty seven at the canal bank near hyde road Gorton Manchester aforesaid the said Margaret Ann Dunstan committed adultery with John Lloyd.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that your Lordship with be pleased to decree:

  1. that the said marriage may be dissolved

2. that he may have the custody of the said Mary Emma Dunstan

3. and that your petitioner may have such further and other relief in the premises as your your lordship may seem meet. 

Signed James Dunstan

1901 Census

In the 1901 Census Margaret Ann is living with her Mother , age working as a Dressmaker, but interestingly Mary Emma , her daughter is there too, despite James fighting her for Custody.

Living at 6 Orrell St South Manchester was:

Emma Green Head, 47, Widow, Derby

Charles F Green, Son, 24, ? Iron Works, Barrow in Furness

Harry Green , Son, 13, Openshaw, Lancashire

Emma Green, Dau, 9, Gorton, Lancashire

Margaret Green, Dau 26, Dressmaker, Barrow in Furness

Mary Emma Dunstan, 5, Openshaw, Lancashire

1901 Census

What happens next???

I then lose track of Margaret Ann Green…… Does she get married again? Where is she on the 1911 and 1939 census and when did she die? and I still need to sort that multiple parent mess – Ancestry has 7 hints for me to explore- lets hope I can sort the mess…… 

Great stories

Bliss 16/30

DNA Mel

Bliss for me is getting a facial or a massage.

Bliss is finding a birth parent

Bliss is waking up to a new DNA Match

Bliss is walking along the beach

Bliss is laughing with friends

Bliss is being down the river fishing with my family

Bliss is singing at the top of my lungs

Bliss is coffee in the morning

Bliss is having flowers in my house

Bliss is sewing, creating or making things 

Bliss is helping someone out

Bliss is, and can be so many things, What does Bliss look like for you?

Great stories

Guide Them 15/30

DNA Mel

What is it like to work with me? 

This is a tough question for me to answer as each of my clients has had different reasons for reaching out to work with me.

So let me explain it broadly.

I start with a session one on one getting your story and working together to work out what you are searching for, what your research goals are and ideally what you want to know.

I then, work backwards and look at what research you have already started, what DNA tests have you already taken and what do you already know about your family.

From there we work out a plan to move forward and what the steps will be and move on from there.

Sometimes I will take time to review DNA Results, research family trees and suggest getting further information.

I am super adaptable and happy to guide and advise where I can and I will be honest if I don’t know something and will refer out to other providers if I feel that this is needed.

Being a health professional, I am aware of the issues of confidentiality and at times this is of upmost importance especially in adoption and unknown parentage cases. I am guided by you.

Emotional support along the journey is provided. Feelings and emotions pop up; both positive and negative along the journey. Please share this with me and I will provide support to you.

I look forward to working with a variety of clients, With each case, I learn more and each case has been challenging at times emotionally for me too. But this is how we all grow. 

I hope this has given you a rough idea of what is it like to work with me. Please reach out to me if you want to know more. 

Great stories

Quick Hack 14/30

DNA Mel

I love to be able to share with others when they are learning where they come from. I have some quick hacks that will get your started

Are you interested in learning more about your past? Are you interested in knowing where you come from? Would you like to be connected to your ancestors? 

Sometimes knowing where to start can be a challenge.

Below are some of my Quick Hacks that may get you started on your journey. 

1. Order a DNA Ancestry Test – Results will take 6-8 weeks to come back to you so you want to get this done first so you can be working on other things while waiting for your results to come back. Order your kit from here – Ancestry 

2. Start a family tree on Ancestry. You can create a family tree online for free without having a membership. Start with yourself and work backwards. Add in Birth Dates, Death Dates and Locations if you know them. Work on both sides of the tree

3. Speak to family members and ask them to share what they know. Is there someone in the family whom has already started a family tree. Is there a family member who holds records or photos. Could you put a post on social media and ask your family to share?

4. Interview your oldest family member – how nice is it to have a voice recording of your loved ones to pass down the generations. Consider DNA testing them too.

5. Research online and in local family history libraries to see what information about your family.

6. Consider joining a Family History Group – Sharing of knowledge and learning from others can be very helpful. I have made some great friends at my local history group. 

7. Ask lots of questions – be curious and write down the answers.

8. Have FUN!! There are some great stories and information out there waiting for you to discover

I look forward to hearing what you find and would love you to share with me what you find!

Great stories

My Favorite Human 13/30

DNA Mel

Meet my favourite human – My Fiancee Jay

We met online and have been hanging out together ever since. He must think I’m ok too as he asked me to marry him in August last year. 

While Covid has thrown Wedding plans – Im sure we will get planning again once things settle down.

Jay is calm and reassuring, but knows how to press my buttons and get me stirred up and motivated.

We share some common values of travel and adventures but he is a great photographer in his own right.

He was definately worth the wait and is my favorite human.  

 

Great stories

Action 12/30

DNA Mel

Time to take some action – Time is slipping away…

You may not be ready to take the leap and do a DNA test just yet but what about starting to record your family tree?

It is free to put a tree on Ancestry, you dont need a membership. Start with yourself and work backwards. Add your parents and grandparents and so on.

You could start by talking to your oldest living relative, ask them to identify people in photographs, ask them what they remember about their grandparents. Record their stories. 

There may be a family member who has started a family tree already. 

I’m happy to help with a chat to get you going or you may be interested in my research packages.

I am happy to do general genealogical research without DNA if that is what you are interested in. 

Drop me an email mel@thednaconnection.com.au I would love to hear from you. 

Great stories

Inspire 11/30

DNA Mel

What inspires me?

I love finding the stories behind the names and the photos. I love being inspired to connect the past to the future. 

Take this photo that Mum sent to me the other day, we know that this is our family and that there are photos of my ancestors in it but we dont know which ones they are. 

There are no inscriptions or names on the back, we have a rough idea who the groom is but thats it. It would be great if someone else in the family has the same photo and could solve the puzzle. 

I get just as much excitement finding stories for others as I do myself. I get just as excited with the stories and bringing people alive.

There has been times when I have been uninspired with my research, I may have hit a brick wall or got stuck on a family line. I have been frustrated with not knowing where to search or whom could help me. 

How can we move past being uninspired?

Some tips which may help:

  • Share the problem with a friend – Speak to a fellow researcher, join a local family history group
  • Reach out to libraries or local history groups, send an email and share your research problem maybe they have the missing part you need.
  • Message boards while are becoming a little less in vogue, searching through past messages or adding a new message may help
  • Facebook groups – search and join and ask your questions.
  • Learn more – This might be reading a book or searching online. It may be a course or webinar. 

What other tips have you found that have got you going when your feeling uninspired?

 

Great stories

Fave Food 9/30

DNA Mel

Cadbury Pineapple Chocolate is my fave food. I cant resist the squishy sloppy mess. Living in Queensland it has to be eaten directly from the fridge so that there is a hard crunch as you bite into the sticky pineapple awesomeness. Its not assisting with my weight loss journey but it is certainly adding to the happiness and greatfulness journey.

I get super sad when I cant find it on the shelf at the supermarket. But I get super happy when its on special.

I have tried alternatives, like the pineapple lumps bit the pineapple remains superior.

Am I solo in this love? 

#contentology #day9 #favefood #cadbury #squishystickyyum

Great stories

Overwhelmed 8/30

DNA Mel

Missing family members or unknown parents can be overwhelming. Not knowing where to start to find out can be crippling.

Who can help? Is it worth searching? What if it all happened for a reason? 

All these feelings can be overwhelming and the feeling of doing it all on your own and at times in secret, can be a challenge.

There can be family secrets where discretion and confidentiality are paramount.

DNA Testing can be overwhelming too – What do I do with my results? I didnt get the matches that I expected? What do I do now?

This is where hiring an genetic genealogist may help. We can work with you to find your way or do the research for you.

Dont feel overwhelmed, we can help. 

Great stories

Money 7/30

DNA Mel

Money – An interesting topic in which to write about

Money is the exchange of value. It can be payment for assistance, transfer of knowledge, use of skills or doing tasks for others.

Its delivery of service, helping each other out. Rewarding knowledge and skills. Paying for items or services. 

Is what we are willing to pay different when it relates to our values? I think when I value something more, I will work harder to get it or pay more if I can see it as more valuable.

Is what you spend your money on a reflection of your values?

I hate to think how much money I have spent on learning, creativity and travel……and birth, death and marriage certificates and DNA kits 🙂

If you want to trade some of your money for value – check out my research packages

#contentology #day7 #money

Great stories

Self Care 6/30

DNA Mel

Self care can look so many ways. Today I will share with you just two of the ways I care for me. 

I love Kikki K and all that that shop has inspires me to be organised and creative. I loved the Cairns Store and spent weekends going to all of the workshops and have sad since the store closed. 

After reading Kristina’s Book “Your Dream Life Starts Here” I found that many things in my life were different. This book encourages you to dream and to consider what life would be like if there were no limits. This is where the dream of The DNA Connection began. 

Each morning I now spend what I call “The Power Hour” dreaming, learning or reading. Its my hour over my coffee just for me. It was the time that I worked though the book and journal. 

My second self love is getting my nails done. I love just sitting and being pampered. My chewed nails get to look girly and pretty. 

What do you do for Self Love? Drop me a message 

#contentology #day6 #selflove 

Great stories

Love 5/30

DNA Mel

There is so much to love about life right now. During these covid times I have been able to enjoy more time to get researching and working on cases.

I have loved being home just a little bit more and hanging with the four legged creatures that share our home.

Molly and Ezra - Love doesnt go both ways

My craft room has been rearranged many times and the quilt that I am working on has been sewn and unpicked too many times to count – (Im on the hunt to borrow a long arm quilting machine if anyone knows anyone with one) 

I have loved that FINALLY Cairns restaurants have opened more options for home delivery or take away – Thanks Iyara by Sakare for my fav thai 

I love that my local coffee hangout – Barista Sista has stayed open so I can get my fav coffee 

I love that I have had more zoom calls and phone calls with friends and family.

I love that we are able to get out and explore further afield again. #shouldbeflyingtobalitoday #watcchthisspace

Well I’m off to do more that I love this weekend with DNA Drop in Clinic at Cairns Family History 

#contentology #day5 #love

Great stories

Focus 4/30

DNA Mel

Sometimes my brain runs a million miles an hour and I need to step away from the family trees and the DNA, or my day job and just focus on something else.

When I’m creating with fabric, thread or paper is when my creative thinking kicks in and I can solve the problems of the world. 

What do you spend your down time focusing on? Drop me a comment or pic below

#contentology #day4 #focus

Great stories

Alignment 3/30

DNA Mel

In one of the cases that I was worked on, where we were working on finding a missing birth father, i quickly learnt through ethnicity reports that my client was going to have links to an indigenous past.

This photo was found along the way and I would love to know the stories behind this picture. 

Ancestry has updated their ethnicity reports to now include links to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander regions. When this update occured my clients ethnicity reflected this group. It was a moment to be celebrated.

During this journey we reached out to an Indigenous organisation to assist with information on her family and her DNA links, this wasn’t helpful – I hope in time these organisations will have the skills to understand DNA and use DNA to confirm links back to the past. 

I look forward to sharing my knowledge and the power of DNA to confirm identity and links back to culture.

#NRW2020   #InThisTogether2020

#contentology #blacklivesmatter