September 22nd, 2009
EXETER — All in all, a very satisfying day today. I drove to Taunton to visit the Somerset Record Office. I managed to get myself both on and off the M5 between Exeter and Taunton, and find the record office without getting lost. I also had quite a bit of success in searching the minute books of the Somerset Society in London.
Much of what I found will be the subject of future posts once I have had a chance to transcribe the text from the photographs that I took (about 350—many of the same page in case some are not clear enough).
Finds include copies in the minutes of the indentures for both Joseph Coles and his younger brother James, the recording of the date of death of their father Benjamin Coles (previously unknown), and a report commissioned by the Society’s governing committee in to the unfortunate state of affairs surrounding Joseph’s apprenticeship.
Afterwards it was back to the M5 and back to Devon. On the way I stopped off at a service area to have an early tea (as I had forgotten to have any lunch). The M5 terminated at Exeter and I suddenly had a choice: do I take the left lane or the right; and the signage didn’t give much help. I chose left and luckily it was the right choice—it wasn’t long before I was back at the hotel.
well done! sounds like you’re mastering the roads. i must admit though that while i love the dry humour of the prose of your travels, the posts are much enhanced by the beautiful photographs you’re taking – wow! and also interesting to hear that you’re allowed to photograph the useful documents you find. great score on finding ben coles’ death date.
don’t you find you need to stop ‘doing stuff’ and reflect on your findings and pull it all together to work out your next mission?
p.s. if i hear someone else say, “can’t it wait until Russell gets back?” i’m going to scream!
p.p.s. did you get me a stone from a cornish beach? (if you went near one that is)
oh crap. just noticed the typo booboo: ‘your’ instead of ‘you’re’. can you change it please?
cheers!
Done, and in two places. Don’t let it become a habit!
I find that there is still an element of “am I going the right way?” Today was an exception rather than the rule!
The photographs, I feel, will still need some post-processing. Because I don’t have any image processing software with me I have been under-exposing some of the photographs in order to get some blue into the sky. I have the RAW files to fix later.
I tried to work out all the missions before leaving home, and the reflection will take place when I get back!
I doubt you’ll lose your voice!
And no, I didn’t get you a stone. Couldn’t find one unique enough, but I have got you something elementally Cornish!
Russell,
Hope you are having a great time and it sounds like you are finding a lot of info for us all. Parish records for Westminster are held at the Westminster City Archives http://www.westminster.gov.uk (64 Victoria St. London) and are accessable to to public – might find the marriage of Benj. and Eliz and it may have a surname ??? also possibly a death register for Benj.
Robyn
I’ll need some tips on preparing for such a trip (when I make one). It takes a great deal of organisation and knowledge! I’m sitting back and admiring your finds.
Russell,
Rereading your mum’s email for about the 4th time the Westminster Records could also show Joseph’s first marriage.
Robyn
Russell,
Gave you the wrong address it should be 10 St. Ann’s St. London
http://www.westminster.gov.uk/services/libraries/archives/family-history/
Robyn
Thank you, Robyn, I think I’ll definitely be making a visit when I’m back in London.