S03EP02 - 'The Trapped' with Chris Paton

The Family Histories Podcast

In this second episode of Series Three, host Andrew Martin meets professional genealogist, author, and genealogy tutor - Chris Paton, and finds out how he got hooked on family history, and what it's like to research family history in Scotland, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. He asks Chris about his tutoring work with genealogy course provider Pharos, and his former television producer career with the BBC.
Life Story - Jessie MacFarlane
Chris has chosen his Great Grandmother Jessie Paton (born Jessie MacFarlane) from Inverness, Scotland. After marrying David Paton in 1889, the newly-weds moved to Brussels in Belgium where David managed two shoe shops for Glasgow shoe manufacturer R & J Dick Ltd. When the First World War broke out, German soldiers occupied Belgium, and following David's sudden death, Jessie is left alone with their children - trapped in war.
This is a story of his Great Grandmother's bravery and determination to survive and get home, told through a collection of letters Chris found in The National Archives.
The Brick Wall - Thomas Graham
Chris has chosen his 3x Great Grandfather Thomas Graham of County Armagh, who was born in 1820/1821 in what is now Northern Ireland. Having discovered his origins, Chris just can't find the date and place for his death.
Thomas is living as a 60yr old Clerk in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England with his wife Eliza at the time of the 1881 census, but after attending a wedding in 1881, that's it! Eliza appears listed as a widow in Belfast in 1901, but what happened to Thomas?

• When did Thomas Graham die?
• Where did Thomas Graham die?
• Will the Poor Law records of Barrow-in-Furness hold a clue?

If you think you can help Chris with solving his research brick wall, then drop him a message at his website Scotland's Greatest Story, or simply head to familyhistoriespodcast.com and use our contact form - we'll pass the message on to him.
In the meantime, Chris is keen for Andrew's help, but he's curious of what awaits in the garage...

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Episode Credits:
Series Three, Episode Two

• Andrew Martin - Host and Producer
• Chris Paton - Guest
• John Spike - Sándor Petőfi

Show notes and more: familyhistoriespodcast.com

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Capitole

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Interview - Chris Paton (00:00:52)

3. Life Story - Jessie MacFarlane (00:26:18)

4. The Brick Wall - Thomas Graham (00:42:25)

5. The Departure (00:50:49)