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From Family Bible to Family History Career: Tracing Walter Brown

In this fascinating case study, genealogist and newly appointed Society of Genealogists trustee Karen de Bruyne demonstrates how one treasured family object led her to uncover the life of Walter Brown, a baker’s son from Rickmansworth who became a successful grocer in Tottenham and a prominent Baptist figure.

Through census returns, church records, directories and other historical sources, Karen reveals how seemingly ordinary ancestors can emerge as vivid, complex individuals once the records are pieced together.

Perfect for anyone wondering how to get beyond names and dates, this talk will show:

  • how to build a story from a single clue,
  • how different records work together,
  • ways to uncover social and community history,
  • and how family history research can lead in completely unexpected directions.

 

Speaker(s)

Karen De Bruyne

Karen De Bruyne

After a varied career, from accountant for McDonalds and an American Bank, lecturer in Business Studies, Maths and English in Further Education College. Now professional genealogist through my company “Not just any family”, with a particular interest in London families and British India. I achieved the Post Graduate Certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies in 2019, now studying for Diploma. I am a Volunteer Zoom talks host for Society of Genealogists and Events Team Coordinator for London Westminster and Middlesex Family History Society. I am an associate of AGRA and an APG member. And appeared twice on Find My Past at home on You Tube and Facebook.

Important copyright notice: Each speaker retains full copyright of their talk and their materials at all times. When you join any of our events on Zoom or when you view any recorded event, you automatically agree not to download or distribute the recording or the materials to others in any way, on any media. No recording or transcribing of any kind is allowed on your own device. 

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