Recently I was contacted by Rebecca Meekings, who works on behalf of Explore The Past (the Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service).

Several members of my maternal grandmother’s family are from Worcestershire. My 3x great grandmother, Elizabeth Hannah Mould (1825-1904) was born in Smethwick, Staffordshire. She lived in the area of Smethwick all her life, but moved into the neighbouring area of Oldbury – which is in Staffordshire. Afte the early death of her first husband (my 3x great grandfather, Henry Harrison (1834-64), Elizabeth married George Hall Dearn (1845-1913), a man 20 years her junior, and settled in Warley, Worcestershire. Unlike nearby Oldbury, Warley remained an area of rural farmland until after the First World War. Elizabeth came from a line of dairy farmers and Warley seems to have been the perfect place in this part of Worcestershire for her to continue her family’s rural practices.

The West Midlands generally can be a difficult area for family historians to research as boundaries often changed over the years. Researching family who lived within a ten mile radius can require visits to four or five different record offices. Anything that makes family history research clearer for those of us with ancestors in this part of the world, therefore, is something to be celebrated.

Thus I was delighted to learn that Explore The Past has created a comprehensive 70-page guide designed to provide advice for people getting started with exploring their family history in the Worcestershire area. The team say, “It doesn’t matter where in the world they are researching, this guide covers general support for everyone, as the team at Explore The Past understand that it can be difficult knowing where to start.”

As I often find West Midlands geography confusing, my favourite section of the guide is that of maps and plans. This gives tips on exploring places relating to my ancestor’s homes and their surroundings.

The guide also helps researchers learn more about the types of resources most commonly used to research family history, as well as providing guidance on how to gain access to original documents, maps, photographs. Overall, it is intended to help family historians understand more about what kind of records & services will help them on their journey of discovery.

Full details on the guide are online at the Explore the Past website: www.explorethepast.co.uk/discover-your-past/

Grandad’s 100th Birthday Cake – made by my aunt and decorated by my cousin with images of Grandad over the years.

On 6 February 2018, my paternal grandfather, Owen David Jolly celebrated his 100th birthday. He had a wonderful day, culminating in a birthday party for 106 family members and friends at The Balmoral in Edinburgh, the city where he now lives. Grandad grew up in Enfield, Middlesex and lived in London for most of his life. He grew up with two older brothers, Alec and Gordon, a half-Scottish father (also Alec) and a London Welsh mother (Annie). He was brought up to appreciate and embrace all parts of his Anglo-Scottish-Welsh heritage. Grandad married my late grandmother, Doris, in 1940 and they had three children. Grandad continues to lead a full life with his second wife, many friends, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In honour of this significant milestone, I asked Grandad to share some of the secrets of his long and happy life.

1. What is the secret to your good health and longevity?

Successful open-heart surgery in 2000. Enjoying life to the full but taking into account my physical capabilities. When needing medical attention, following instructions meticulously. Thinking young.

2. What would you say are the major values or principles that you live by?

Being straightforward with others.  Making light of life’s difficulties, e.g. failing sight.

3. Have you ever smoked?

No

4. Do you drink alcohol?

Yes in moderation – occasionally let my hair down.

5. What do you consider the most important invention of your lifetime?

Electronic communication.

6. What is your typical day?

Rise early, take orange juice and tea to my wife in bed. Walk for newspapers and read at leisure. Go for a walk.

7. What is the most amazing thing you have seen in your lifetime?  

Film of the launch of a V2 Rocket. It was quite awe-inspiring. Nowadays, of course, rocket science is pretty commonplace.

8. What do you eat for breakfast?

Porridge, toast, and coffee.

9. Do you have (or have you had) a pet?

Yes – a cat 40 years ago. I also looked after my son Barry’s golden retriever when he was at university.

10. You share your birthday with Ronald Reagan, Bob Marley, Francois Truffaut, Fred Trueman, Babe Ruth, Queen Anne, and Zsa Zsa Gabor. Do you think you share characteristics with any of them?

No, but you left one off the list and I might have said yes had he been included. His name is Edward Jolly.

11. Are you religious?

Yes, but I don’t let it take over my life.

12. Do you sleep well?

Yes

13. Do you play a musical instrument?

In past tense yes – piano, piano accordion, and cornet.

14. What’s your favourite piece of music?

‘Lara’s Theme’ (‘Somewhere My Love’) from the film, Dr Zhivago. The question also takes me back a long way to an earlier favourite – Barcarolle from the opera, Tales of Hoffmann (Jacques Offenbach’s ‘‘Belle nuit, o nuit d’amour’)

15. Is there anything you wanted to do that you never got around to?

In retrospect, going to university when I had the opportunity.

16. What is your earliest memory?

Sitting around the table with my Mum, Dad and two brothers (pictured with baby Owen above), Alec and Gordon. I was certainly aged 4, and might have been younger.

17. You were born in Enfield, went to school there, and worked in central London. What are your earliest memories of London?

Seeing the lights at Piccadilly Circus when on the bus to relations at Pimlico. Riding on the new invention – i.e. an escalator – at Liverpool Street Station. Pageantry – e.g. Changing of the Guard.

18. Any regrets?

Yes – not seeing my far-flung family as often as I would like.

19. What was the best decade for you?

Difficult to answer – too many candidates.

20. What do you want for your 100th birthday?

The love and affection of all of my family – not forgetting that of my friends.