“You’re probably wondering how I got here.” – Every Guy Ritchie Movie Ever I’ve spent a couple of decades trying to figure out how to tell better stories. Not just any stories – but the kind that hit you in the gut. The kind that echo across generations. The kind that make a person say, […]
What makes an unforgettable family story? Lessons from Auckland Family History Expo Read More »
Greetings from Frankfurt! I’m sitting in Germany, but not really in my ancestors’ Germany. This is Hessen. When they left in 1848, their homeland was Prussia. “Germany” as a country didn’t even exist until 1871. So my bones don’t stir here in Frankfurt the way they might if I were further east, in what is
Place or Language: What Really Connects Us to Our Ancestors? Read More »
“Most people come to Whanganui for the three A’s: the awa, the art, and the architecture. I came searching for one man. But there’s just one problem. He’s been dead 125 years.” Whanganui is a city that proudly wears its history on its sleeve – evident in its Edwardian buildings, its winding river, and its
The Search for Samuel: How my great-great-grandfather brought the world to Whanganui Read More »
This weekend, Aotearoa New Zealand marks Matariki — the Māori New Year — a time to remember those who have passed, celebrate those still with us, and set intentions for the future. Without meaning to, I’ve found myself doing exactly that while celebrating a milestone of my own: turning 50. It began with a simple
Matariki, Memories, and the Unplanned Pilgrimage Read More »
110 years ago this week, on March 18th, 1915, my great-grandfather Charles Lind Lamont Young stood on the deck of the HMS Irresistible in the beautiful waters of the Dardanelles. The Irresistible was part of an attack force there to smash their way through to the Turkish capital, Constantinople. But at 4:15pm a deafening blast
Surviving the Sinking of HMS Irresistible: My Great-Grandfather’s Story Read More »
How an aerogramme from more than 50 years ago filled in a narrative gap in my grandfather’s story.
When life sends you a P.S. Read More »
Discover 8 essential tools to uncover, verify & bring your family history to life—featuring AI, archives & a love story that crossed the world!
8 must-have family history tools for better storytelling Read More »
It’s the start of a new year, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead. If you’ve been following One Ancestor at a Time, you know it’s all about uncovering the stories of the past to enrich our lives today. But there’s something I haven’t told you—until now. Some of you may have already
Welcome to 2025: A Big Year for One Ancestor at a Time Read More »
From London’s shadows to New Zealand’s shores—uncover my great-grandparents’ daring journey for love and survival.
You’ll never believe how far he went for love Read More »
At just 17, he went from the streets of England to the backblocks of New Zealand. From farming to insurance sales, he failed at almost everything he tried. But then, his persistence paid off. Find out how my grandfather created a new life and a new family, on the other side of the world.
The Man Who Never Gave Up Read More »
