The Chiddicks Observer Edition 38
As I write this week’s edition, we’re in that strange bit between Christmas and New Year where nobody knows the day, the date, or whether the bins need to go out or not, so you just put them out anyway and hope the neighbours did the same. I have the usual mix of posts, some serious, some not so serious but each beautifully written and stories that were just crying out to be told.
We start off with Ollie - ifOnlyi... with a gentle reminder from his childhood that Santa is ALWAYS watching! Innocent, funny and at the same time, it makes you want to cry, all the hallmarks of great writing!
Great detective work by Lisa Rex ! By laying the ghost of Nellie to rest, you’ve reminded us all of the power of persistence and careful research. Many of us encounter family history puzzles that seem impossible to solve, yet your diligence in uncovering and unraveling this story shows what can be achieved with patience, attention to detail, and a methodical approach.
Lisa’s work also provides a valuable lesson for all of us tracing our roots: no question is too tangled, no lead too small, and no story beyond reach. Thank you for inspiring us to dig deeper, question thoroughly, and never give up on the trail of our ancestors.
Forensic genealogy at its finest from Nate Douglas! In our field, we can’t rely on a mere balance of probabilities, we need to dig deeper, to go beneath the surface and carefully unpick the evidence. Some clues will crumble under closer scrutiny.
Nate Douglas demonstrates exactly how this should be done. With precision and insight, he dissects the evidence like a knife through butter, showing us that careful, methodical investigation is the key to uncovering the real story behind the records.
Once again, I can’t thank Robin Stewart enough for everything she does for our wonderful genealogy community here on Substack. Her weekly posts consistently highlight some of the most insightful and inspiring writers in our field.
In this edition, Robin shares something truly special: her eBook, GenStack Anthology 2025. This anthology brings together twenty-two carefully selected articles from GenStack over the past year. Each piece was chosen for its thoughtfulness and its meaningful contribution to the family history and genealogy community.
Such a powerful read from Nate Douglas ! About halfway through, it was clear that this wasn’t just about tracing a family tree, it was about claiming an ancestor and trying to bring him home. But more important than that it was about giving him the sense of belonging that had been missing from his early years.
Nate Douglas’ writing is compelling and heartfelt. With every line, you can sense his dedication, his drive, and his deep empathy. This isn’t simply a family history story, it’s a story about connection, about healing, and about the human side of genealogy.
A truly moving piece that stays with you long after reading.
A deviation from the norm this time as I share a podcast with you. Join The Family Histories Podcast and DearMYRTLE as they enjoy a little chat about all things “genealogy”.
The family histories podcast hosted by the ever genial Andrew Martin is a wonderful glimpse into the wonderful world of genealogy and is now in its tenth season. If you want to find out more here’s a link to the website:
As the year draws to a close, David Shaw brings us his End-of-Year Top Ten Tools, Sources, and Techniques, a curated collection of insights designed to inspire and equip genealogists of all levels. From innovative research tools to little-known sources and practical techniques, there’s something here for everyone.
Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just starting out, these tips offer fresh ideas to kickstart your family history research in 2026. Each recommendation reflects careful experience and thought, making it easy to incorporate into your own investigations and uncover new discoveries in the year ahead.
A must-read for anyone looking to sharpen their skills, expand their toolkit, and make 2026 a year of breakthroughs in genealogy!
When researching a military ancestor, context is everything as Jennifer Holik explains so clearly in this excellent piece of research. Understanding the wider historical, social, and military setting allows us to move beyond service numbers and regiments, helping us see our ancestors as real people shaped by the world around them.
Jennifer’s work shows how placing records within their proper context can transform our research, revealing motivations, experiences, and consequences that might otherwise be missed. It’s a valuable reminder that effective military genealogy isn’t just about finding records, but about interpreting them thoughtfully and accurately.
An insightful and essential read for anyone tracing military ancestors.
Bah Humbug! Not everyone enjoys Christmas Kate Dalby brings a refreshingly honest look at what Christmas was and still is for some.
We’ll end with a smile and a truly simple, beautiful story from Ed Iannuccilli about a child’s relationship with his grandparents. It’s a touching reminder of the everyday moments that shape our lives and the deep bonds that connect generations.
Stories like this highlight why we pursue family history: not just to record names and dates, but to preserve the love, laughter, and lessons that define our families. A gentle, heartwarming reflection to carry with you as we celebrate the ties that bind us across time.
As we close out this year and this edition of The Chiddicks Observer, I’m reminded once again why this community matters so much. Across these posts we’ve seen humour and honesty, meticulous research and deep empathy, hard truths and gentle memories, all bound together by a shared desire to understand where we come from and who we are. These stories don’t just fill pages; they stay with us, shaping the way we think about family, history, and belonging.
Thank you, as always, for reading, for supporting the writers featured here, and for being part of this remarkable genealogy community. I hope you’ll carry a few of these stories with you into the coming week and join me again next time, as we step into a new year with fresh discoveries, new voices, and more stories waiting to be uncovered and told.
Why not check out my own blogging websites:
Thank you Paul these are wonderful stories that you have included. Time for me to catch up after taking a break
Thank you so much for the mention Paul ❤️