Family

Family traits – chattering sons and grandsons

On Friday night I had the pleasure of my eldest grandson’s company. It was the first time he had stayed overnight with me on his own, without at least one of his parents. It was a big thing for a nearly three-year-old. We had big plans for the next day

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Genetic Genealogy – should you be scared of the data gathered?

If, like me, you have ordered one or more DNA tests through organisations such as 23andme, Ancestry or My Heritage, have you thought about who can access your data? Should you be frightened of who can use the data to identify you? Did you even realise that organisations such as the police are,

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Me and My Boys

Nowadays it isn’t often I get to spend time with all my three sons, together at the same place. Especially as my middle son lives in Western Australia and my eldest son is over an hour’s drive away in Gippsland. However, this weekend saw middle son fly to Melbourne to

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Cleopatra, Vladimir, Natalie and Helen

These were the siblings of my grandmother. In this picture her eldest sister Clair and her brother Dima are shown performing a Russian dance. Cleopatra was called Clair as she detested her given name. She was, according to my grandmother, sensitive, kind, straightforward and truthful. She acted older than her

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Seize every Opportunity

Last year, around Anzac Day, I discovered this article written by Minna Muhlen. As I read it I felt such relief, relief at finding someone else in Australia who is potentially struggling with the same emotions as I am. I debated with myself for quite a while, should I contact

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Dark Secrets

When researching your family history, there is always a chance you will find a dark secret, or a skeleton in the closet, or the random tyrant or warlord. There is more of a chance you will discover your ancestors were honest hard-working people who got up in the morning, slogged

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