Fenland Family History Society

With the easing of the COVID 19 restrictions, we had hoped to be able to resume our meetings and computer research sessions. However, it does not seem possible at the moment with the distancing restrictions asked for. Hopefully, it will not be long before we are back with you. Our members have not been idle during this difficult time. With lockdown, and time available, many have been able to work on research at home. Some of our experienced researchers, who help at our Computer Research Sessions, have been busy working on the requests we get for help.

Family Research.

During my enforced ‘relaxing’ time after my operation, I have been quietly doing family research for a young lady we met at one of our research sessions. She has been off work so has been talking to her Nan who is in lockdown. This has been great, as it has triggered many memories from her Nan and some wonderful family legends. All the things that you can’t find in computer research. The stories include a tale of a runaway great grandmother who eloped to escape her bullying father. To enable her to keep contact with the rest of her family they used a code name for her when sharing information. Later she asked her daughter to give the code name to her first grandchild. Between us, we are building a wonderful family history for the family. She intends to write it all down for the future generations adding the old photos her Nan has found in stored boxes. I am still working on creating a family tree for her. It has given me a lot of pleasure and sense of achievement during this difficult time.

Self-isolation does not mean being isolated when you are a member of the Fenland FHS. The latest edition of our journal, Ag Lab Chronicles is just out, full of members’ successes, failures and stories, plus useful information, and even quizzes to keep you amused – why not join us? Although based in the Fens, we will assist where we can and share stories from anywhere. Please find us on our website.

Another World War Two Memory from one of our members.

Her parents belonged to an Entertainment Society as stage manager and wardrobe mistress. Costumes were made from various leftover materials including blackout material and parachute silk. Our member was taken along with them as a performer herself, where she danced as a young girl to entertain both British and American troops during the war. She remembers travelling to the camps in the back of army lorries. They were treated to a meal in the Sergeants’ Mess, a great treat during rationing times. The men who were missing their children made a fuss of the young ones and gave them chocolate, a rare treat as sweets were rationed. Performing was not always easy, as the stages were often created ad-hoc especially for the occasion. Our member remembers one stage sloped slightly forwards and was covered in lino. As the dance was a tap dance their shoes had metal plates on them to make the tapping sound. They found themselves slowly sliding forward on the sloping lino surface. Another stage was created from crates covered in boards. Her dance was a Dutch Clog dance with a lot of stamping in time with the music and she felt the crates moving below her as she danced. At the end of the war, a big concert was arranged to celebrate in the local Town Hall. We thank her for sharing her memories with us. For information, queries or help please contact us on 01945 587723.

For information about our work and society please contact Bridget 01945 587723.