The third TLA “Ask the Experts” session was held on 23 June.  We faced queries as diverse as in the first two sessions, such as:

• The disappearance of a Shadwell surgeon and his family after a bankruptcy
• The lives of ancestors in the 1700s and 1800s who lived in the East End
• The use of DNA to identify an illegitimate ancestor born 1851
• Thames lightermen
• Poor law and workhouse admissions

As well as the more usual:

• How to navigate changes names, differently spelled across several certificates and censuses
• How to trace backwards using the best archives and resources, and the best websites
• And military, of course

There was also a lot of enthusiasm from TLA staff.  Now we have a feel for these sessions we are thinking about offering more timeslots and will review with TLA plans for going forward.  So, thanks go to Nick Dexter for the lead on organising, and our volunteer experts this time: Debbie Baker, Elaine MacGregor, Geoff Swinfield, Gill Thomas, Judy Lester, Karen de Bruyne, Rowana Mulholland, and Sharon Grant. 

The next session will be on Saturday 12 September, 10.00 to 4.00. Contact nickdexter@icloud.com for further details.