Knext Gen Geneaology

31/07/2026

A photograph of my 3x great-grandfather, Joseph Clay Stiles Morrow, that I have not previously seen. It was published in the newspaper alongside his obituary. I must say I do see a bit of family resemblance in him.

31/07/2026

Interestingly, all of the replies I got to this on FB & Substack were about a grandmother… now I'd love to hear stories about your grandfather's. Here's one of MANY of the fond memories I have of my Grandad.

He loves the ocean and used to take me swimming in it all the time. Every time we'd get there he'd say “breathe in that sea air, Alex. Nothing better for you than sea air. It'll put hairs on your chest!” and I used to say “but Grandad, I'm a girl, I don't want hair on my chest” 😅😂

30/07/2026

Update on Louis Gleason Morrow: after a recommendation from the archives in St Louis, MO I reached out to a local researcher who will be able to go and access his USSM files and make me scanned copies. It is probable that they contain a photograph of him 🙌🏻

27/07/2026

I've also been working on my great-grandfather, Louis Gleason Morrow. He was in the US Merchant Marine for decades, and I have compiled all the available documentation into a spreadsheet, which I used to make a map of all the known locations he travelled to with the USMM. My next step with my research into him is to contact the National Archives in St. Louis to gain access to his USMM files - I'm hoping there may be a photo of him in there, as he is the only great-grandparent I have no photos of.

Link to Google Map of Louis' voyages; each voyage has its own colour code and clicking on the pin will give more information: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Pw4wzTmnJIG2wzP4XBAgy-nMOxwppLk&usp=sharing

27/07/2026

Learn how to find records you likely missed! FamilySearch corrected...

27/07/2026

Continuing my work on my great-great grandmother, Ada Williams - this one is a case study on how I used the FAN method to further my research into her.

Praying one day I might finally find a photograph of her.

A look at how I expanded my research using the Friends, Associates & Neighbours Method

26/07/2026

What's something distinct you remember about one of your grandparents?

For me when I think of my Nana, I think of food. All the wonderful food she'd cook. Even when she made me 2 minute packet noodles they were somehow better than Mums 🤣 I have this one very distinct memory of waking up one morning when I was around 10, to the smell of omelette (she always cooked me omelette for breakfast) and I could hear my Nana in the kitchen singing Brown Eyed Girl - every time I hear the song I'm transported back there.

17/05/2026

Today I tried out a new (for me) textile technique. Nalbinding.

Nalbinding dates back to at least the Neolithic period, with the earliest examples found in Israel and Germany dating to around 10,000 years ago. Though, textiles are notoriously rare in archaeological deposits, so it's possible the technique is much older.

It was especially popular in Northwestern Europe because it produces dense, hardy textiles that could withstand the extreme cold weather. However, examples of the technique have been found across Europe, North Africa, China and Egypt.

The technique was used to produce things like socks, mittens, hats, bags & pouches. It began to decline and was eventually replaced with the advent of knitting, which was a faster way to work yarn.

Nalbinding is considered an endangered heritage craft in Britain and a vulnerable traditional craft in parts of Europe. However, as more people become interested in their history and heritage it is seeing a surprising resurgence. Especially among historical craft and reenactment groups.

01/05/2026

Write down recipes and learn the crafts of your mother or grandmother while you still can.

As women, we don’t always leave behind a legacy as visible or enduring as a surname, but recipes and handcrafted skills have long served as subtler threads of maternal connection 🩷

20/04/2026

The humble ANZAC biscuit — an Australian culinary tradition that is over 100 years old.

Made by women and sent to Aussie soldiers during WW1, the recipe uses no eggs, so they didn't spoil on their long journey to the men. They were a delicious, nutritious alternative to the “hard tack” biscuits the soldiers received in their rations.

Every year around the 25th of April (ANZAC Day) these biscuits make their annual appearance. They are a beloved childhood memory and tradition for generations of Aussie children.

Weight in on the age old debate in the comments: should ANZAC Biscuits be crunchy or chewy? 🇦🇺