S06EP05 - 'The Churchwarden' with Jackie Depelle

In this fifth episode of Series Six, host Andrew is joined by family history tutor Jackie Depelle. He finds out how she got interested in family history, how she became a full-time family history lecturer, her thoughts on how genealogists and academic researchers are working together, and how the genealogy industry could evolve in future.

THE LIFE STORY - JOHN HAYHURST DAWSON
Jackie has chosen to tell the life story of John Hayhurst Dawson who was born in 1841 in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England. Thankfully, his middle name (which was his mother's maiden surname) allows him to be identified easily, as his father and grandfather were also John Dawson.

John Hayhurst Dawson went on to work in multiple roles within his community, including a Justice Of The Peace (a 'JP'), a businessman, held many layperson roles at his church, and was also the churchwarden.  This has enabled Jackie to amass an impressive collection of documents to his name.

THE  B̶R̶I̶C̶K̶ ̶W̶A̶L̶L̶   STUMBLING BLOCK - THE DAWSON FAMILY
Refuting the existence of 'brick walls', Jackie has a Dawson family 'stumbling block' that keeps her perplexed - where did the Dawson family come from?

Jackie has been able to identify a brother to the oldest John Dawson (the grandfather of John Hayhurst Dawson), named William Dawson, but beyond this, she's stuck. The earliest deed on the family home is signed on 12th December 1820, but prior to this - she's stuck in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

• Where did the Dawson family come from before 1820?
• Where did John Dawson get the money to build his house?

If you think you can help Jackie with a clue or a research idea, you can contact her via her website www.yourfairladies.co.uk or alternatively you can send us a message and we'll pass it on. 

In the meantime, Andrew's offer of help results in some unexpected practical advice from Jackie.... will he take it all on board?

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