Host Andrew is joined by family history tutor Jackie Depelle, who tells him about her love of family history, and how it led to her teaching it via the Workers’ Educational Association too. She talks about her love of family history societies and local history, and how family historians and academic historians are working closer.

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The Life Story – John Hayhurst Dawson

Jackie has chosen to tell the life story of John Hayhurst Dawson, born in 1841, and usually appearing with his middle name that he inherited from his mother due to his father and grandfather also being named John Dawson.

John had several occupations, including time serving as a JP (Justice of the Peace), and multiple roles as a layperson, and he was also a churchwarden.

These roles inevitably resulted in him becoming well known, and as far as Jackie has found, he was well respected within his community – taking part in community events.

The Brick Wall Stumbling Block – William Dawson

In a first for The Family Histories Podcast, guest Jackie takes a sledgehammer to the Brick Wall format of the show, and reminds us of something she was once told; there’s no such things as ‘brick walls’ in family history – just ‘stumbling blocks’.

Jackie’s ‘stumbling block’ is back within her Dawson family, and sees her trying to find out more about the members of it. In particular, she’s keen to discover further back than 12th December 1820, which is when the family home deeds were signed for near Leeds in the West Riding of Yorkshire (as it was then).

She knows that her John Dawson had a brother named William Dawson, but these common names have made it hard for her to be confident she’s got the correct ones.

• Can you help find baptisms for brothers John and William Dawson?
• Where did John Dawson get the money to build his house?

If you think you can help with a clue or research idea that helps Jackie navigate her ‘stumbling block’, then you can contact her at www.yourfairladies.co.uk or alternatively, you can send us a message and we’ll pass it straight on to her.

In the meantime, Andrew’s offer of help results in some unexpected practical advice from Jackie…. will he take it all on board?

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Resources

A list of resources and websites mentioned in this episode

• www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/county-record-office – North Yorkshire Record Office
• www.wea.org.uk – The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA)
• www.yourfairladies.co.uk – Jackie’s Family History Tutor site

Episode Credits

• Andrew Martin – Host and Producer
• Jackie Depelle – Guest