Emma Explores at Projectkin

Emma Explores… All the Twos: Celebrating 2 years of “Emma Explores” on Projectkin

Thank you to Linda Teather [https://substack.com/profile/185449888-linda-teather], Helene | Letters from LaBelle [https://substack.com/profile/34870574-helene-letters-from-labelle], Christine Clark [https://substack.com/profile/17995040-christine-clark], and all of you following along with this recording. Your thoughtful engagement in Emma Cox’s [http://substack.com/@journeysintogenealogy] presentation today, the lively conversation that followed (and your comments below), are what make this such a special program. Your generous ❤️s, restacks, and shares have helped turn this publication into the supportive community we all want to see. These free programs are made possible by the generous support of our Patrons [http://projectkin.org/patrons]. Learn more, Projectkin.org/about [http://projectkin.org/about] & join us! Plucked from Emma’s Family Tree After a little break, Emma - Journeys into Genealogy [https://substack.com/profile/174917624-emma-journeys-into-genealogy] is back with another creative twist on her family history. In this episode, Emma shares tantalizing bits of her workflow. She shared how she leverages the nearly 10,000 ancestors in her Family Tree Maker database to export a kinship report and explore over 1,500 second cousins. From that listing, she’s shared three of particular interest. * Reginald Charles Edward Abbot, Lord Colchester 1842-1919 (Emma’s 2C5R) * Joseph Stanley Holmes (Lord Dovercourt) 1878-1961 (2C2R) * Ernest William Moir 1862-1933 1st Baron Whitehanger (2C3R) * Charles Edward Littledale 1843-1918 (2C4R) And why stop at cousins when you can have a second earl? (Don’t miss the castle on the hill.) * Thomas Holland, 2nd Earl of Kent, 1350-97, half-brother of Richard II, King of England, and Emma’s 18th great-grandfather. Lessons to be Found There are always tips and techniques to be gleaned from Emma’s explorations. Probably the most significant from today’s program was the tip to appreciate the power of your gateway ancestors. This was a topic she’d explored in one of her very first Emma Explores programs. While it’s easy to get distracted by the discovery of pedigreed ancestors with castles, a key benefit of your gateway connection is that those fancy pedigreed ancestors will have been carefully researched. If you can find even a second or more distant cousinship, the connection can get you a quick bounce-back in history. In the US, the equivalent might be Revolutionary War or Mayflower ancestors. In Australia, we’ve talked about “Convict Royalty.” What is it in your region? Other episodes in Episodes Emma mentioned in the introduction to the topic: Patterns and names: Maybe we’re related? In our March Episode, just after RootsTech 2026 [http://rootstech.org/], Emma and I started a discussion about the Relatives at RootsTech [http://familysearch.org/en/connect] program, large relative counts, and the incredible value of learning from others attending. That’s all over now; however, the lessons learned linger. Did you know: * In many cases, if you have a FamilySearch [http://familysearch.org] account and are logged in and viewing someone you are related to, you may have special access to view details on others who contributed to the profile. Tap the name, and you may discover a cousin: If, during Relatives at RootsTech [http://familysearch.org/en/connect], you had made contact with this person, perhaps through a shared ancestor, you’ll still be able to chat with them. There’s more. If you’re interested in collaborating with others in our community, join us at Relative Finder. This does require a FamilySearch login and is really only as interesting as your FamilySearch profile is deep, but it can be a fun, open-source way to find connections across our community. Please visit the site and search Groups for “Projectkin.” You will have to request access, though it’s generally granted within 24 hours. If not, drop me a message [http://substack.com/@projectkin]. In each of these programs, Emma generously shares both her slides and the resources she used to compile the presentation. You’ll find these a useful resource in your own research: Resources Mentioned * Wikipedia: Wikipedia.org [http://Wikipedia.org] * Project Gutenberg: gutenberg.org/ebooks/10693 [http://gutenberg.org/ebooks/10693] * National Portrait Gallery: npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp05174/reginald-charles-edward-abbot-3rd-baron-colchester [http://npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp05174/reginald-charles-edward-abbot-3rd-baron-colchester] * The Peerage: Thepeerage.com [http://Thepeerage.com] * Met-at-the-Bar: Men-at-the-bar [https://archive.org/details/cu31924096849850]: a biographical hand-list of the members of the various Inns of Court, including Her Majesty’s judges, etc. by Foster, Joseph, 1844-1905. Available in libraries, for purchase, and on the Internet Archive. [https://archive.org/details/cu31924096849850] * Cambridge Library Archive Search: archivesearch.lib.cam.ac.uk/repositories/2/archival_objects/560384 [http://archivesearch.lib.cam.ac.uk/repositories/2/archival_objects/560384] * Landed Families: landedfamilies.blogspot.com/2013/02/abbot-of-kidbrooke-park-barons.html [http://landedfamilies.blogspot.com/2013/02/abbot-of-kidbrooke-park-barons.html] * Grace’s Guide: gracesguide.co.uk/Ernest_William_Moir [http://gracesguide.co.uk/Ernest_William_Moir] * Clergy List via Ancestry: ancestry.com/search/collections/63019 [http://ancestry.com/search/collections/63019] * UK City and County Directories via Ancestry: ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/3145 [http://ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/3145] * British Newspaper Archive: Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk [http://Britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk] As Projectkin, we’re here to help families tell their stories in any form. I feel strongly that our collections of photos and other artifacts are key to our memories and, in turn, our stories. If you have a publication of your own, and you think your friends might find this interesting, why not let your friends know with a recommendation? This nifty button, “your.substack.com/publish/recommendations [http://your.substack.com/publish/recommendations],” takes you to your own recommendations dashboard. (Seriously, try it!) Naturally, I’d love a recommendation, but I also encourage everyone to be generous in sharing recommendations for the publications you enjoy. It helps us find each other as family history buffs in the nicest possible way. 🥰 Oh, one more thing — if you think this post might interest a friend or colleague, why not just pass it along? These are public posts, and our events are free because sharing your stories is that important. Let’s get this started! See all coming events in our calendar at Projectkin.org/events [http://projectkin.org/events]. Get full access to Projectkin at projectkin.substack.com/subscribe [https://projectkin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Emma Explores… Researching Artists, Sculptors and Painters » March 2026

Thank you to Bill Moore [https://substack.com/profile/51729824-bill-moore], Linda Teather [https://substack.com/profile/185449888-linda-teather], and all of you following along with this recording. Your thoughtful engagement in Emma Cox’s [http://substack.com/@journeysintogenealogy] presentation today, the lively conversation that followed (and your comments below), are what make this such a special program. Your generous ❤️s, restacks, and shares have helped turn this publication into the supportive community we all want to see. These free programs are made possible by the generous support of our Patrons [http://projectkin.org/patrons]. Learn more, Projectkin.org/about [http://projectkin.org/about] & join us! With memories of RootsTech [http://rootstech.org] still fresh, our discussion before the recording began once again touched on the Relatives at RootsTech [http://familysearch.org/en/connect] program, large relative counts, and the incredible value of learning from others attending. Remember, the program will remain active through the end of April. If you’re interested in collaborating with others in our community, join us at Relative Finder, which uses the same database mechanisms as the “Famous Relatives [https://www.familysearch.org/en/connect/famous]” pages. and adds to the value with a view of multiple relatives shared. Please visit the site and search Groups for “Projectkin.” You will have to request access, though it’s generally granted within 24 hours. If not, drop me a message [http://substack.com/@projectkin]. Emma’s presentation today walked us through her discoveries related to these individuals. Those related to Emma are listed by their relationships, such as (1C3R) for first cousin, three times removed: * James Forsyth (1827-1910) - painter, sculptor, furniture designer, gilder, and wood carver, and his son: * Rae Dudley Forsyth (1907-1979) - painter * John Dudley Forsyth (1874-1920) - stained glass artist, and his wife: * Gwendoline Elsie Upcott Gill - stained glass artist * John Anster Fitzgerald (1819-1906) – fairy painter (1C5R), and his daughter: * Florence Harriet Fitzgerald (1857-1927) - painter (2C4R) * Darsie Napier Japp MC (1883-1973) - painter (1C3R) * Gilbert Acheson Cattley (1892-1978) - painter of horses and illustrator of “Quacky Duck” (1C3R) In the context of Quacky Duck, Emma makes reference to “Pumpie the Elephant,” which was a topic of a 2020 blog post [https://emmacox.co.uk/pumpie-the-elephant/] of hers on her blog at EmmaCox.co.uk [http://EmmaCox.co.uk]. In each of these programs, Emma generously shares both her slides and the resources she used to compile the presentation. You’ll find these a useful resource in your own research: Resources mentioned In addition, Emma shared links and sites that can be useful as a guide to finding artists and other creatives in your family. These and other links are included in the PDF document but I’m calling the high level links out here to make them easier to find and explore. Here are a few of the sites and example links: * Wikipedia.org * Find-a-Grave * Google Searches * ArtUK: artuk.org/discover/artists/forsyth-james-18271910 [http://artuk.org/discover/artists/forsyth-james-18271910] and artuk.org/discover/artists/japp-darsie-18831973 [http://artuk.org/discover/artists/japp-darsie-18831973] * Invaluable.com [http://Invaluable.com] * Tate Museum: tate.org.uk/art/artists/john-anster-fitzgerald-185 [http://tate.org.uk/art/artists/john-anster-fitzgerald-185] * Individual blogs: byronsmuse.wordpress.com/2020/03/12/john-anster-fitzgerald-fairies-and-victorian-escapism [http://byronsmuse.wordpress.com/2020/03/12/john-anster-fitzgerald-fairies-and-victorian-escapism] * Arts Biogs (subscription site, 24hrs £5, mth £10) * artbiogs.co.uk/1/artists/fitzgerald-florence-harriet [http://artbiogs.co.uk/1/artists/fitzgerald-florence-harriet] * artbiogs.co.uk/1/artists/forsyth-john-dudley [http://artbiogs.co.uk/1/artists/forsyth-john-dudley] * Visit Stained Glass visitstainedglass.uk/artist-page/forsyth-j-dudley [http://visitstainedglass.uk/artist-page/forsyth-j-dudley] * Exploring London exploring-london.com/tag/john-dudley-forsyth [http://exploring-london.com/tag/john-dudley-forsyth] * Art History Research arthistoryresearch.net [http://arthistoryresearch.net] * Christie’s Auctioneers christies.com/en/lot/lot-1332476 [http://christies.com/en/lot/lot-1332476] * Company of Glass Sellers glasssellers-archives.co.uk [http://glasssellers-archives.co.uk] * London City Directories (via Ancestry subscription) ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/61265 [http://ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/61265] * Freedom of the City of London (via Ancestry subscription) ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/2052 [http://ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/2052] Get full access to Projectkin at projectkin.substack.com/subscribe [https://projectkin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Emma Explores… Researching Military Ancestors » February 2026

Thank you to Jennifer Jones [https://open.substack.com/users/260013785-jennifer-jones?utm_source=mentions], Linda Teather [https://open.substack.com/users/185449888-linda-teather?utm_source=mentions], Ann Rockley [https://open.substack.com/users/13227539-ann-rockley?utm_source=mentions], Jennifer Jones [https://substack.com/profile/260013785-jennifer-jones], Bill Butcher, Dr. Mary M. Marshall [https://substack.com/profile/21244770-dr-mary-m-marshall] and all of you following along with this recording. Your thoughtful engagement in Emma Cox’s [http://substack.com/@journeysintogenealogy] presentation today, the lively conversation that followed (and your comments below), are what make this such a special program. Your generous ❤️s, restacks, and shares have helped turn this publication into the supportive community we all want to see. These free programs are made possible by the generous support of our Patrons [http://projectkin.org/patrons]. Learn more, Projectkin.org/about [http://Projectkin.org/about] & join us! Before our recording started, we had a lively discussion about the upcoming RootsTech [http://rootstech.org] conference and the related Relatives at RootsTech feature, as well as the ongoing comparison tool for the FamilySearch family tree at RelativeFinder.org, [http://relativefinder.org] where Projectkin has created a private group. Just look for it under Groups and request access.  On the topic of RootsTech, take a moment to explore our GeneaBloggers [https://substack.com/profile/339561723-geneabloggers] partnership to produce a fun way to join the conference together, whether you’re on-site or online. Learn more at In each of these programs, Emma generously shares both her slides and the resources she used to compile the presentation. You’ll find these a useful resource in your own research: Because these notes can be so useful when searched from the web, I’ll detail each of the individuals whose stories she explored. Whishaw family in New Zealand She started with the eleven siblings of the Whishaw family from New Zealand and their heartbreaking loss of three family members of the four who served in WWI. These are links to the resources she mentioned: Mabel Helen Whishaw 1883-1918 Recognized in the WWI Army Roll of Honour as a registered nurse. * en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_flu] * livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7189468 [https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7189468] * findagrave.com/memorial/66921529/mabel-helen-whishaw [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/66921529/mabel-helen-whishaw] Harry Whishaw 1885-1916 He saw action in Gallipoli with the Wellington Infantry Battalion, Egypt, and Western Europe. Was killed in action near Armentieres, France, on 3 July 1916, aged 31. * findagrave.com/memorial/15291614/harry_guthrie-whishaw [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15291614/harry_guthrie-whishaw] * nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/harry-guthrie-whishaw [https://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/casualties/harry-guthrie-whishaw] Harry Guthrie Whishaw 1885-1916 Trooper, served in the New Zealand Mounted Machine Gun Squadron. Died at the 27th General Hospital, Cairo, on October 17, of malarial pneumonia. * findagrave.com/memorial/245739692/bernard-guthrie-whishaw [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/245739692/bernard-guthrie-whishaw] James Henley Whishaw 1881-1959 Served in the WWI Military reserve in 1916, survived the war. * findagrave.com/memorial/236496368/james_henley-whishaw [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/236496368/james_henley-whishaw] Japp family: Emigrated from England, Served for Canada Frank Bradshaw Japp 1896-1918 (2C2R) Canadian Infantry (West Ontario Regiment) and served in the 47th Battalion. Died of shrapnel wounds on 5 May 1918. * ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1973 [https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1973] * veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/567105 [https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/567105] England: Father of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard – Father of the RAF (4c3R) Air Marshal, Knight Commander, DSO, suffered wounds in the Boer War, learned to fly by 1912, moving on to head the Royal Flying Corps, and by 1918 was appointed chief of the Air Staff of the newly formed Royal Air Force. Highly decorated and made a Viscount. Lived through WWII, passing in 1956, and was buried at Westminster Abbey in a public ceremony. * en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Trenchard,_1st_Viscount_Trenchard [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Trenchard,_1st_Viscount_Trenchard] * search-armed-forces-memorial-roll-of-honour.service.gov.uk [https://www.search-armed-forces-memorial-roll-of-honour.service.gov.uk/] * ancestry.co.uk/search/categories/39/?srsltid=AfmBOopVPnd_YMKBdfczoFsAFN4Y5EXWpVOTZYESAspDuutGrcbIrNZI [http://ancestry.co.uk/search/categories/39/?srsltid=AfmBOopVPnd_YMKBdfczoFsAFN4Y5EXWpVOTZYESAspDuutGrcbIrNZI] Videos on British Pathé * britishpathe.com/search/?searchQuery=hugh+trenchard [https://www.britishpathe.com/search/?searchQuery=hugh+trenchard] * Wedding 1920: cutt.ly/3tmSgwzW [https://cutt.ly/3tmSgwzW] * Memorial: cutt.ly/stmSh0aE [https://cutt.ly/stmSh0aE] * westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/hugh-trenchard [https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/hugh-trenchard] Requesting Military Service Records / other sources In addition, Emma shared important bits of advice and terrific resources for military service records in general: * Can take up to a year or so, some is available online * Sensitive information may be redacted (hidden / blacked out) * gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service [http://gov.uk/get-copy-military-records-of-service] gives full instructions * TNA records nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-role/plans-policies-performance-and-projects/our-projects/ministry-of-defence-service-records [http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/our-role/plans-policies-performance-and-projects/our-projects/ministry-of-defence-service-records] * National Army nam.ac.uk/collections/how-research-former-soldier [http://nam.ac.uk/collections/how-research-former-soldier] * IWM iwm.org.uk/research/tracing-your-family-history/tracing-your-army-history/where-to-find-army-service-records [http://iwm.org.uk/research/tracing-your-family-history/tracing-your-army-history/where-to-find-army-service-records] * Army Personnel Centre army.mod.uk/army-careers/careers/army-personnel-centre [http://army.mod.uk/army-careers/careers/army-personnel-centre] * CWGC cwgc.org/find-records/how-to-find-war-records-ww2 [http://cwgc.org/find-records/how-to-find-war-records-ww2] Emma also made reference to the work of Graham Brady: * Graham Bandy (professional genealogist) livingmilitaryhistory.com [http://livingmilitaryhistory.com] Further research: In addition to the sites mentioned above, these are other sites Emma has used for this research * Find A Grave * Ancestry * New Zealand Birth Index, New Zealand Death Index, New Zealand Cemetery Records, New Zealand * Electoral Rolls and New Zealand Registers of Medical Practitioners and Nurses 1873, 1882-1933 * Wairarapa Heritage Site wairarapanz.com/see-and-do/family-war [http://wairarapanz.com/see-and-do/family-war] * Auckland Museum aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C16713 [http://aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C16713] * Genealogyinvestigations.co.nz/blog/archives/05-2021 [http://Genealogyinvestigations.co.nz/blog/archives/05-2021] * Armed Forces Roll of Honour search-armed-forces-memorial-roll-of-honour.service.gov.uk [http://search-armed-forces-memorial-roll-of-honour.service.gov.uk] * Web: Canada, Virtual War Memorial Index, 1900-2014 ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/70775 [http://ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/70775] * Canada, CEF Commonwealth War Graves Registers, 1914-1919 ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1952 [http://ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1952] * Canada, World War I CEF Attestation Papers, 1914-1918 ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1086 [http://ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/1086] * Google Searches Recommending Reading & Coursework Books by Simon Fowler. Available via Amazon * Tracing your First World War ancestors [https://amzn.to/4kAECiC] * Tracing your Second World War ancestors [https://amzn.to/4azxmPo] * Tracing your Army ancestors [https://amzn.to/4kXAVEd] * Tracing your Naval ancestors [https://amzn.to/4aRFBYu] Simon Fowler is running a course on Pharos Tutors starting in June 2026. * pharostutors.com/your-military-ancestors [http://pharostutors.com/your-military-ancestors] While I often talk about Emma’s other publication and her Journeys into Genealogy [http://journeysintogenealogy.co.uk] podcast, this time, there are two very relevant podcast interviews you may want to explore: * Interview with Orders and Medals Research Society emmacox.libsyn.com/orders-and-medals-research-society [http://emmacox.libsyn.com/orders-and-medals-research-society] * Interview with Graham Bandy emmacox.libsyn.com/researching-military-history-with-graham-bandy-of-living-military-history [http://emmacox.libsyn.com/researching-military-history-with-graham-bandy-of-living-military-history] About Emma Explores All of our programs are recorded and shared in the Emma Explores section of the Projectkin Substack [https://projectkin.substack.com/s/emma-explores], the Projectkin YouTube channel [http://youtube.com/@projectkin], and major Podcasting platforms like Apple [http://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/2058500/s/132828/private/40c84b53-b119-473b-a537-0cc4a08c25a4.rss] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0N6d2EBvrc7MbYtKOTEjR1], and an RSS Feed [https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/2058500/s/132828/private/40c84b53-b119-473b-a537-0cc4a08c25a4.rss] for platforms like Feedly [http://feedly.com/]. About Emma Cox If you don’t already know Emma, you can find her here on Substack in two publications, first the one she uses to share research on her own family: You won’t want to miss her second publication about the Journeys Into Genealogy podcast [http://journeysintogenealogy.co.uk/]. It adds value to the ongoing podcast with references and a transcript: I hope all of this is helpful, and I look forward to seeing you next month. Remember to register to get your free Zoom link [https://tockify.com/eventscalendar/monthly?search=Stories,%20mysteries]to join us. See all past recordings at Projectkin.org/emma-explores [http://Projectkin.org/emma-explores]. Get full access to Projectkin at projectkin.substack.com/subscribe [https://projectkin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Emma Explores… A Reflection on 2025 Programs, Learnings & Insights » Jan 2026

Thank you to Jennifer Jones [https://substack.com/profile/260013785-jennifer-jones], Linda Teather [https://open.substack.com/users/185449888-linda-teather?utm_source=mentions], Bill Moore [https://open.substack.com/users/51729824-bill-moore?utm_source=mentions], Ann Rockley [https://substack.com/profile/13227539-ann-rockley] and so many of you for joining us and engaging in the conversation so actively today during Emma Cox’s [http://substack.com/@journeysintogenealogy] live presentation and in your comments below. Your generous ❤️s, restacks, and shares have helped turn this publication into the supportive community we all want to see. Subscribe to Projectkin [http://projectkin.substack.com] and get these recordings delivered straight to your inbox.👇 Learn more Projectkin.org/about [http://projectkin.org/about]. Today’s episode had Emma experimenting with a new format that had all audience members joining in on the conversation. In each of these programs, Emma generously shares both her slides and the resources she used to compile the presentation. To get us started, Emma began with Caroline Edith Rumpf, or was she Catherine, or any of four other combinations? And what about dates: Did she lie? Were they unsure? From there, we explored with references from past episodes and mysteries. To help you in scanning through the video, these links may be helpful * Gateway ancestors: For those gateway ancestors that unlock a series of other connections. * Consider first arrivals in the new world, or a connection to Royalty, see “Fame, Gateway Ancestors and links to Royalty [https://open.substack.com/pub/projectkin/p/emma-explores-stories-mysteries-and?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web].” * Naming Patterns: * Patterns that repeat, see “Rosalina and Gylby - Unusual Names and Naming patterns [https://open.substack.com/pub/projectkin/p/emma-explores-jun-2025?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web],” and extraordinary families. * This initiated the “85-Grandchildren Challenge.” In her research, Emma discovered a relation, Sir Robert Wigram (1743-1830), who, through two different wives, fathered 23 children. That was pretty remarkable. But then there was James Blatch Cox (1801-74), whose 9 children produced 85 grandchildren (one son had 18 children). See “James Blatch Cox and his Cornish family and wider diaspora [https://projectkin.substack.com/p/emma-explores-may-2025]”! * ⮕ Have an ancestor with more than 85 grandchildren? 👇 Let us know in the comments! * Full-text Search Results on FamilySearch: * Digging into Full-text Search as introduced by FamilySearch in 2025 and now available in Ancestry, and expanded on by FamilySearch as Simple Search. In “Philipps and Fonblanque Letters [https://open.substack.com/pub/projectkin/p/emma-explores-philipps-and-fonblanque?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web],” Emma shared how this flexible search approach revealed extraordinary connections in letters reprinted in a Family History. About Emma Explores All of our programs are recorded and shared in the Emma Explores section of the Projectkin Substack [https://projectkin.substack.com/s/emma-explores], the Projectkin YouTube channel [http://youtube.com/@projectkin], and major Podcasting platforms like Apple [http://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/2058500/s/132828/private/40c84b53-b119-473b-a537-0cc4a08c25a4.rss] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/0N6d2EBvrc7MbYtKOTEjR1] and an RSS Feed [https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/2058500/s/132828/private/40c84b53-b119-473b-a537-0cc4a08c25a4.rss] for platforms like Feedly [http://feedly.com/]. About Emma Cox If you don’t already know Emma, you can find her here on Substack in two publications, first the one she uses to share research on her own family: You won’t want to miss her second publication about the Journeys Into Genealogy podcast [http://journeysintogenealogy.co.uk/]. It adds value to the ongoing podcast with references and a transcript: I hope all of this is helpful, and I look forward to seeing next month. Remember to register to get your free Zoom link [https://tockify.com/eventscalendar/monthly?search=Stories,%20mysteries]to join us. See all past recordings at Projectkin.org/emma-explores [http://Projectkin.org/emma-explores]. Get full access to Projectkin at projectkin.substack.com/subscribe [https://projectkin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Emma Explores… Signatures…Where to Find Them and What To Do with Them » Dec 2025

Thank you to Linda Teather [https://substack.com/profile/185449888-linda-teather], Bill Moore [https://substack.com/profile/51729824-bill-moore], Crystal Lorimor [https://substack.com/profile/185629191-crystal-lorimor], Kristin Rapinac [https://substack.com/profile/322547068-kristin-rapinac], Sue Tolbert [https://substack.com/profile/325699001-sue-tolbert], and so many of you joining us and engaging in the conversation so actively today during Emma Cox’s [http://substack.com/@journeysintogenealogy] live presentation and online in the comments below. Your generous ❤️s, restacks, and shares have helped turn this publication into the supportive community we all want to see. It’s been an extraordinary year for us here at Projectkin and in this fantastic series. Subscribe and get these recordings delivered straight to your inbox.👇 Learn more Projectkin.org/about [http://projectkin.org/about]. After our conversations on Kathy’s Corner [http://projectkin.org/kathys-corner] about correspondences and postcards, it was fitting that today’s program for Emma Explores would center on signatures. Signatures are one of those elements you rarely pay much attention to during the process of family history research. This presentation reminds us to look closely not only to validate the documented person or event, but also to see who else was involved. As you’ll see in the presentation, Emma shares creative ideas for creating customized artifacts, such as mugs and teatowels, to engage loved ones and family members in your ancestors’ stories. Inspiration, just in time for holiday gift-giving. (Or… milestone birthdays, celebrations, and other events.) When you think of these kinds of objects as a gateway to family history, simple pieces could be a good investment. Our discussion included several audience members sharing their own stories about signatures and family members’ handwriting. Feel free to share more in the comments and links to your own posts, notes, or external articles relevant to handwriting and family members’ signatures. In each of these programs, Emma generously shares both her slides and the resources she used to compile the presentation. Project Ideas & Tips * Organizing signature files into folders on a drive helps you associate relevant context with each file. Try to reference or mirror that organization in your paper files. * Create a family tree or other listing of your “My Eight” or “My Sixteen” grandparents or great-grandparents. * Create an assembly of different implementations of common names, like a surname or shared given names. * Use these collections of signatures to customize common objects as gifts, for example: * Tea towels * Mugs * Coasters Resources * Canva.com [http://Canva.com] offers many features to free account holders. Paid accounts give you a full range of functions. Tip: You can use Canva to create your design, then select your printers based on price, shipping economies, or to take advantage of local vendors. * Wikipedia and Wikimedia for images and research sources. * Family wills (E. W. Cox’s was from the London Metropolitan Archives). * Visits to and downloads from local and national archives. * Snagit software [https://www.techsmith.com/snagit/] on Windows or Preview (standard with MacOS) for screen grabs. * Printster.co.uk [http://Printster.co.uk] for creating coasters, for example, for local delivery in the UK. Save on both shipping and duties by considering printing or fabrication sources near the destination for your delivery. Journeys into Genealogy Many of you will already know Emma for her Journeys into Genealogy podcast [http://journeysintogenealogy.co.uk/], where she interviews guests worldwide. As Substack publishers and readers, you can explore her full catalog and get previews of different episodes by subscribing to her publication: I know Emma - Journeys into Genealogy [https://open.substack.com/users/174917624-emma-journeys-into-genealogy?utm_source=mentions] joins me in hoping you can make it for our program and the Substack live preview next month. You can see all recordings in this series on Projectkin.org/emma-explores [http://projectkin.org/emma-explores]. Get full access to Projectkin at projectkin.substack.com/subscribe [https://projectkin.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]