September 2020, Glamorgan Family History Society: Scrofula, Scarlet Fever and Sudden Visitations: How Did Our Victorian Ancestors Die?
An overview of different causes of death in the nineteenth century. The Devon village of Sampford Peverell formed the basis of case studies for this talk, as causes of death were recorded alongside burials in the parish register there consistently for a period of around 30 years in the late nineteenth century.
“An excellent presentation … a fascinating review of death registration and how it changed during Victorian times … a whole range of suggestions of where you can find interesting snippets of information”
“The case studies from the village were fascinating, the man who had two wives die falling down the same set of stairs was definitely suspicious!”
January 2021, Roath Local History Society: Roath Rules
A talk about the Rule brothers – Henry, Charles and Davy – who were master mariners living with their families in Roath, Cardiff in the late nineteenth century. Exploring their seafaring activity, ancestry and what became of their descendants, many of whom went on to have their own adventures at sea. Their brother, Samuel, also warranted a mentioned as a survivor of Titanic.
“A most interesting, entertaining and professional presentation … we look forward to hearing more from you in the future!”
“That was excellent! I’m sure there’s a book in the story of the Rule family”
This talk was repeated in March 2024 for Glamorgan Family History Society.
June 2021, Glamorgan Family History Society: To Edward, One Shilling: using probate records for family history research
A ‘brickwall’ session for Glamorgan Family History Society which began by looking at probate records post-1858, before considering the structure of the ecclesiastical courts before 1858 and different probate jurisdictions. Particular emphasis was given to wills proved in Welsh dioceses, with additional guidance on transcription and the challenges of palaeography.
“Excellent talk! I really enjoyed it – your talks always inspire me to do some more research”
June 2021, THE Genealogy Show: An Introduction to Welsh Genealogy – Wales: Immigration and Emigration – Life on the Border: researching a Monmouthshire family in the 17th and 18th centuries
As part of THE Genealogy Show 2021, I delivered three talks on different aspects of genealogy in Wales. An introduction to Welsh genealogy was provided for researchers who may be less familiar with the specific challenges and features of researching family history in Wales. A second talk, exploring immigration and emigration to Wales, focused on key migration events which have shaped the country’s population over the years and records which might help to locate ancestors who moved to and from Wales. The third talk concerned the MASON family in Monmouthshire and the range of records used to trace their pedigree in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including university records, the Court of Chancery, manorial records, estate records, probate records, newspaper and more.
July 2021, Glamorgan Archives: What can we expect from the 1921 census?
In anticipation of the release of the 1921 census next year, this talk began by focusing on events of the preceding decade and socio-economic circumstances in Glamorgan at the time of the census, with a particular focus on the ongoing coal miners’ strike. Data from the census reports for the county was examined alongside questions from the household schedule, in order to consider what answers we might expect and additional avenues for research that might be revealed.
“That was excellent, Jenni. Thank you!” – @emmajolly (author of ‘A Guide to Tracing Your Family History using the Census‘)
“Great talk. I hadn’t thought about how social upheaval might be reflected in the census”
This talk was repeated on Tuesday 7 September 2021 for Glamorgan Family History Society and at THE Genealogy Show: Winter Event in December 2021.
March 2022, RootsTech Connect: Online Resources for Welsh Genealogy
This class explores some of the resources available online for researching your family history in Wales. We start by considering search criteria, before discussing major websites and the National Library of Wales’ online collections. Archives, family & local history societies, occupations, places of worship and place-name resources are also covered, as well as some other unique websites. Links to resources mentioned can be found in the handout accompanying this class.
https://www.familysearch.org/rootstech/session/online-resources-for-welsh-genealogy
“Thanks for this great presentation. The resource list is very helpful, with some resources that are new to me and good reminder for some I’d forgotten!“
“Your session is a wonderful help. Great list of resources! Thank you, Jenni!”
December 2022, THE Genealogy Show: Twins, Triplets and More … Multiple Births in your Family Tree
May 2023, Glamorgan Family History Society: Coffee and Chat: The 1921 Census
March 2024, Welsh Postgraduate History Conference: Who were the litigants and witnesses in defamation causes at Llandaff consistory court, 1800-1830?
April 2024, Guild of One-Name Studies Conference: Becoming Welsh: shifting boundaries and immigration to Wales
September 2024, Roath Local History Society: Defamation causes at Llandaff consistory court 1800-1830
September 2024, SIGS Genealogy Research Network: Papal Dispensations for Marriage Project
September 2024, Glamorgan Archives (Open Doors): Using Newspapers for Family and Local History Research
Jenni Phillips - Genealogy 