FAMILY HISTORY - EUREKA MOMENT

Capturing the moment when I first realised that I had proven the identity of at least one of my family members, who had recorded a list of names and dates into our family bible.

Prior to finding the book hidden away at the bottom of a wardrobe in my mother's house, I had previously very little information about my connections to the Lait family, save for an unconnected list of names compiled from the internet. On the inside pages of the book a list of names and dates had been written - both of birth and of death - and it is thought that at least three different members of my family compiled these lists. The identity of these people was not known and could only be guessed at, that is until the other day when the photo above was taken.

The left hand image shows a section of the 1911 census return from Liverpool, while the right-hand image shows a section of the page from the bible.

Comparison of both images clearly shows that the section highlighted was written by the same hand which had completed the census form... the signature on the form being Charles Graham Lait... my great-grandfather.

The discovery of this information was a revelation for me personally, and proves to underline the often repeated advice for the family researcher to 'keep on digging.' It is true that the varied tales from our family history are many, and this seems to prove that there are always new discoveries to be made, laying just beyond sight around the corner!

#familyhistory #genealogy #familybible

JOSEPH FREDERICK SEAMAN - 56 WENDELL STREET - 1901 CENSUS

This is a copy of the 1901 census record for 56 Wendell Street in Toxteth. Wendell Street is situated near Toxteth Park cemetary,  just off Smithdown Road. At that time it was the home of my great grandfather, Joseph Frederick Seaman and his wife Sarah Ann. At the time of the census the couple were both 23 years of age and were living with their daughter, Mary Cecily, who was said to be 1 month old.

Joseph's profession at the time of the census was listed as being a carter.

The following photograph shows Joseph and Sarah in their later years during a day out to the seaside.

CHARLES SEAMAN - 111 / 113 MILL STREET - 1901 CENSUS

This is the census record for Mill Street in 1901, showing my great-great uncle, Charles Seaman, living with his wife Mary Alice in her mother's property. Her mother was a widow and was named Jane Edwards. At the time they were living here in Mill Street Charles was said to be 33 years of age and his wife was 32. They do not appear to have any children listed at this time at the address.

JOSEPH SEAMAN - 46 WEBB STREET - 1901 CENSUS

The census record from 1901 showing the family of Joseph Seaman, living at 46 Webb Street, Liverpool. At the time Joseph was a widower and was 63 years of age. He was living with his two daughters - Mary (aged 30) and Annie (aged 26). Also resident was his grand-daughter, Ada Lloyd who was aged 7 years old.

Joseph was my great-great grandfather.