Ruth A. Symes

Ruth A. Symes

Published: Practical Family History, April 2006

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When I first found out that three of my ancestors drowned in separate incidents - in the same piece of water, the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in Wigan, Lancashire, I was rather shocked at the macabre coincidence and determined to find out more. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: ancestor, ancestors, babies, britain, canal, canals, death, drowning, family, family history, geneaology, history, inns, lancashire, leeds-liverpool canal, pubs, water, wigan

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Ruth A. Symes

Published: Your Family Tree Magazine, August 2006

Excerpt begins

I have known this old Lancashire washing song ever since I was a child.

It was passed down to me by my mother who told me that my great-grandmother, Mary Wilkinson (nee Knowles), had taught it to her when she was very young. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: america, cleaning, domestic service, family, family history, family tree, father, geneaology, grandfather, household, lancashire, miners, mining, mother

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Ruth A. Symes

Published: PastForward, March and April 2000

Excerpt begins

A couple of years ago, I came across a black and white photograph¹ in a cupboard at home.

It was taken in 1928 but shows a lady already very old by that time. My great-great grandmother Lydia Fletcher, aged approximately 83, sits astride her grandson’s motorbike² in an unexceptional back yard, dressed in traditional Lancashire clogs³ and apron. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: family, family history, family tree, grandmother, lancashire, motorbike, motorcycle, wigan

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~~Dictionary~~
1 photograph
Definitions

1. a picture or likeness obtained by photography

Pronounciation: ˈfō-tə-ˌgraf
Function: noun
Date: 1839
2 motorbike
Definitions

1. a small usually lightweight motorcycle

Pronounciation: ˈmō-tər-ˌbīk
Function: noun
Date: 1903
3 clogs
Definitions

1. a weight attached especially to an animal to hinder motion
2. something that shackles or impedes : encumbrance 1
3. a shoe, sandal, or overshoe having a thick typically wooden sole

Pronounciation: ˈkläg, ˈklȯg
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
Etymology: Middle English clogge short thick piece of wood