A while back I mentioned that I wanted to learn more about my grandmother’s Aunt Lucy Durham. While I had never heard anything about her, I was intrigued as I began my genealogical research to see that Lucy had taught at a school for the blind in China. Beyond that I knew only that Lucy, born in 1853, was the 12th of 14 children, my great grandfather, born in 1855, being the 13th.
I have spent the last couple of weeks building the story of her life as best I can from sources available on line and in the published stories I already own. In future posts I will chronicle my search and some of its results. I hope that her story will engage you and that delineating some of my research steps might inform any who are trying to dig deeper into family history of their own.
There are two types of genealogists. One genealogist tries to trace her ancestry back to the Middle Ages. The other genealogist tries to find as much as possible about a couple of ancestors including their family relationships, vocations, education and migration patterns. I am the latter, intrigued by some specific women forebears.
Enjoy the picture of Lucy taken when she was 48 newly arrived in what was then Canton, China in 1901.
Saved By Words 
Looking forward to her story and learning your methods.
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Thanks.
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Looking forward to more!
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I hope you could find more.
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I feel like a great story is unfolding.
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I agree.
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Genealogy is fascinating, especially the latter. I can’t imagine traveling to China in 1901 to be a teacher. Did you ever see the movie “Inn of the Sixth Happiness” with Ingrid Bergman? It makes me think of Lucy. Lovely photo.
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No. That is new to me. I will look it up. I certainly loved finding and watching the dream house movie with Cary Grant.
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I remember that dream house movie! “Robin’s egg blue” she said to the painter, as he rolled his eyes.
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All of her choices were hilarious. My favorite was the red of this little piece of thread.
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Yes!!
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Good luck on your journey!
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Thanks.
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Keen to hear more about her experiences in China during turbulent times for that country.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes. For sure. She arrived just after the Boxer conflicts.
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I find family history fascinating too Elizabeth!
Blessings,
Jennifer
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I will continue to write about this because so many are interested in the process.
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I look forward to reading more about your grandmother’s aunt Lucy. Her life sounds pretty amazing – especially for a woman living in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. I don’t know if you follow derrickjknight but a while ago he wrote of a couple of his aunts who taught overseas. (He is from England). Their experiences were something else!
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I will look for him. I have seen him comment on other posts. I need some new to follow(why I started reading you)since others have fallen away.
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He has amazing posts. He lives across the water from the Isle of Wright and beside a phenomenal forest. He posts tons of photos of horses and other animals wandering around freely and they have a stunning garden!
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I am the latter genealogist! I love uncovering the stories of our ancestors and piecing together their lives. So much more fascinating and rewarding that just going back as far as you can!
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I certainly agree. Welcome to my blog.
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