In this sixth episode of Series Eight, host Andrew meets genealogist Jennifer Jones. He hears about how she eventually got hooked on researching family history, how she researches her ancestors in and beyond Australia, and her love of blogging.
Listen to the episode
S08EP06 – 'The Homesick' with Jennifer Jones – The Family Histories Podcast
Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and others…
The Life Story – Thomas Waters
Jennifer has chosen to tell the life story of her 2x Great Grandfather Thomas Waters. He was born in 1829 in the small village of Dunton in Bedfordshire, England.
After working on a farm, and then a year in London (where he also marries) in 1852 he suddenly leaves the UK and heads to Australia…. without his wife.
A stroke of luck has allowed Jennifer to find letters from Thomas to his family back home in which it appears that his letters go unanswered, and he seems very homesick. His reason for heading out to Australia, and without his wife, and with an air of unwillingness, remains a tantalising mystery.
The Brick Wall – Captain James McEwan
It’s a 3x Great Grandfather James McEwan that’s causing Jennifer to hit a research Brick Wall in her research. Unfortunately, his name also comes with variants, including McQueen.
James born in about 1796 with rumour being that this took place in Scotland, but with a lack of evidence, Jennifer has traced James back to his military career with the 33rd Regiment Foot in Jamaica, where he is a landowner and also unfortunately the owner of an enslaved person.
Whilst Jennifer knows that he leaves Jamaica, and ends up in Australia in 1832 via a return to the UK, she doesn’t know his origins. It’s thought that there is a connection to Scotland, and perhaps his surname reflects this, but she is yet to find any evidence.
- Where was James McEwan / James McQueen born?
If you think that you can help Jennifer with a research idea or clue, then you can contact her via the email she gives in the episode, or via her Twitter or Bluesky accounts, alternatively, you can send us a message via our contact form and we’ll pass it along to her.
In the meantime, Jennifer is excited about Andrew and Sándor’s offer of help, but will it help her reach back further?
Episode Credits
- Andrew Martin – Host and Producer
- Jennifer Jones – Guest
- John Spike – Sándor Petőfi
