Welcome to the Gent Genealogy Page
Welcome to the Gent Genealogy Page
Most of us know very little about our origins. When I was younger I thought
that there were few families in the world named GENT. Visiting new cities
invariably involved checking telephone directories to confirm this belief.
If further proof was required, strangers pronounced my surname incorrectly
and anyone hearing the name wrote JENT.
My parents brought our family from England in 1966. Less than half of the generation born in Canada have visited 'the old country' and they'd be hard-pressed to name a great grandparent, let alone more distant relatives in the United Kingdom. It is this lack of knowledge that I have tried to address, primarily by means of annual newsletters. My interest in family history was kindled in 1973 when my paternal grandmother passed away, and in the last dozen years or so I've become a genealogy junkie.
Research from Canada has been made easier by the increasing number of
databases and indexes accessible via the Internet. Some of my favourite
genealogical websites can be connected to via the following links:
GENUKI
RootsWeb.com
English Villages
The Society of Genealogists
Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness
Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet
Joining family history societies can be useful. Not only do quarterly
journals (the cost of which is included in the modest annual dues) publish
articles and advertisements, but they provide a forum for contacting
other researchers. Membership in a handful of societies has benefited me
greatly; their websites are listed here:
The British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa
The Manchester & Lancashire Family History Society
Northumberland & Durham Family History Society
Folkestone & District Family History Society
East Surrey Family History Society
Sussex Family History Group
Kent Family History Society
Over the years, I've found that certain events in history strike a chord, resulting, for me at least, in a desire to learn more. Often these events have not directly impacted my own family; nevertheless, I find them fascinating.
There is the tragic story of the British "Home Children". Between 1870-1948, a hundred thousand children were sent to Canada by over 50 British child care organisations. These 4-15 year old children were emigrated (deported) to work as indentured farm labourers until they were 18 years old. Many of them were sent to Canada without parental knowledge or consent. As many as 50,000 of the British Home Children were mistreated and suffered child abuse and neglect. Take a look at The British Home Children.
Another passion of mine is World War I. The Great War Society website is a treasure trove for anyone who shares this interest.
It's 2009...do you know where your great-grandparents are?
Please contact the site owner with comments or questions:
Every day about 24,000 people die of hunger or
hunger-related causes, and 75% are children under the age of five. You can
make a difference. Visit The Hunger Site every day and donate cups of food
for the world's hungry - at no cost to you. When you click on the "Give Free
Food" button on the home page of The Hunger Site, funding is generated for
the purchase and distribution of staple food to those in need. Funds are
paid by site sponsors. In 2007, visitor clicks funded more than 49 million
cups of food.
This UK
Genealogy Webring site is owned by Lesley Huppert
Want to join the UK
Genealogy Webring?
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