In the sixth episode of Series Two, Andrew meets Steve Jackson, a genealogist who runs a One-Name Study and a One-Place Study! He’ll be finding out how Steve got into researching his family history after a peep into Genes Reunited, and how that evolved into researching the Atcherley surname, at the expense of some tougher, more common, surnames.

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Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and others…

The Life Story:
Captain James Atcherley

Steve chose his 2nd Cousin, 7x removed – James Atcherley – a Captain who fought in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Steve gives us some insights into James’ rebel Reverend schoolmaster father, and wonders whether some of that was handed down to his son.

As James Atcherley joins the Royal Marines in 1794, it wouldn’t be long before he has reached the level of Captain and is at sea within Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson’s fleet, fighting their Franco-Spanish opponents at the Battle of Trafalgar. He ends up capturing Admiral Villeneuve of the French fleet.

Whilst his naval career may have been with bravery and honour, Steve’s research reveals that his family life was a slightly different tale.

The Brick Wall:
Henry Atcherley

Steve’s brick wall is another of his Atcherley relatives – his Great Great Grandfather, Henry Atcherley, and is in fact his very first, and long-standing, brick wall.

Who was the father, or even possibly the real identity of Henry Atcherley’s mother, when he was brought to Hinstock, Shropshire on 12th August 1822?

Was Henry’s mother really the Mary Atcherley of High Ercall who presented her illegitimate son for baptism at Hinstock? Why is she noted as a ‘widow’? Was Mary a clerical error? Was it really Mary’s widowed sister-in-law, Elizabeth? Steve has theories about some of these.

If you have any ideas on how to break down this research brick wall, then you can contact Steve via his Atcherley One-Name Study website, or by sending him a message on Twitter at @AtcherleyONS. Alternatively, you can send him a message via our contact form, and we’ll pass it on.

In the meantime, Steve jumps at the chance of Andrew’s offer of help, but he has a few questions first…

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Episode Credits:
Series Two, Episode Six

• Andrew Martin: Host and Producer
• Steve Jackson: Guest