Family History - ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT- ‘How the Other Half Lived’

Have you been putting off a family history research project? I have. Years ago, I received a copy of a large handwritten family tree, newspaper clippings and letters that I believe my great aunt collected on a trip to Wales. These documents relate to the “Jesson” family. (My great grandmother was Ruth Jesson.) On and off since then I have examined these documents trying to figure out how they fit into our family line. I really haven’t got anywhere with this so I have decided to make this my 2026 project. And to keep me on track, I want to be accountable to you!

Here is the family tree that I first received- 8 Sheets on A3 paper.

To begin with I:

1.       had to figure out how the pieces matched

2.       then I had copies made of each sheet (so as to preserve the original copy)

3.       then I taped the photocopied sheets together in the right order giving me a working copy of the tree that I could write on whilst trying to figure out who all these people were

Unable to figure out how this tree connects to my known ancestor tree, I have flipped my thinking and have decided to research what I have been given, and in doing so, find the connection. In examining the tree and documents I have very quickly seen that the Jessons in these documents are Barons, Captains, Reverends and Actors. My known ancestors are brick makers and labourers! But we are still related in some way.

So, I have called my project ‘How the Other Half Lived’. My hope this year is to learn their stories, work out the connection to my family tree, and in turn share these findings with my family. I will check in each month to let you know how I am going.

Do you want to join me on the journey? What family history research project would you like to achieve this year? Let me know about it. Accountability will help you achieve your goal.