In this first episode of Series Nine of The Family Histories Podcast, host Andrew Martin meets Canadian genealogist and author Ron Williams and finds out about how he got hooked on researching his family history, and how he revealed a secret waiting to be uncovered.

Listen to the episode

Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and others…

The Life Story – Alfred Victor Williams

Ron has chosen to tell the fascinating story of his paternal Grandfather – Alfred Victor Williams – one that involves mystery and intrigue, and 57 missing years.

The story sees Ron find just a few clues that hint towards some very different elements of his Grandfather’s missing first 57 years – an affidavit, a school photograph of a son, and a letter. Why did Alfred spend years living under the alias Roy Hammond?

Ron has turned Alfred’s story into a book titled ‘The Lost Fifty-Seven – A genealogical journey of discovery, deception, secrets and scandal’ (2024).

The Brick Wall – Mary Williams

Ron’s brick wall is his 2x Great Grandmother known as Mary Williams (the paternal grandmother of the above Alfred).

Ron has found her in later life living in Shropshire, England (or ‘Salop’ as it was known then). Using census returns for places like Ludlow and Cayham, Shropshire, he’s estimated her birth as 1831. She appears here with her husband George Williams, and Ron estimates that they married in about 1853 – given that his ancestor was born in 1854 and there’s several children to follow.

What Ron wants to know is;

• What was Mary Williams’ original birth surname?

If you think that you can help Ron with a clue or research idea, you can contact him via his website, or via his Twitter or Bluesky account. Alternatively, you can send us a message and we’ll pass it along to him.

Meanwhile, Ron is fascinated by Andrew and Sándor’s offer of help…. but clearly someone was hungry….

---

Episode Credits

• Andrew Martin – Host and Producer
• Ron Williams – Guest
• John Spike – Sándor Petőfi