I finally got this book ready! Just in time to celebrate my father's Birthday on the 14th November.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
I have spent many months writing up all of the letters in this edition, and probably started working on it back in 2015! I definitely lost track of time...
The only reason I finally got it done was since this year, 2017, marks 150 years since the arrival of the first Beanlands on the Rock of Gibraltar, and I realised that after doing all the hard work I had to invest the time for the final leg of this journey to include the photos, edit, etc.
I am proud of my past and hope many from the North of England and Gibraltar find the letters left behind by my relatives of interest.
Thank you for taking a look & please share with anyone that might enjoy a window to the past.
Vanessa
The discovery of letters, diaries and a memoir, whilst clearing
out the Beanland home in 1997, led to family secrets being revealed, giving us
a window into the world of the 19th Century.
Bolton Beanland, born in Colne, Lancashire, leaves a life in the mills at the age of 18 to join the army as a Gunner and through his accounts we find out what it was like to be in service during 1861. Via numerous letters, mentioning events such as the death of the Prince Consort in 1862, during his time in Woolwich, and the conflict in Jamaica in 1865, we discover the life of a soldier during testing circumstances.
His marriage to Emma Saword, in Jamaica, in 1865, and subsequent posting to Gibraltar in 1867 are celebrated, in this publication, by the Beanland family in Gibraltar to mark 150 years since their ancestors' arrival on The Rock.
However, tragic circumstances befall the family and are described by letters written by his wife and brother, Emmett. In addition, Bolton's daughter, Harriett, brings these years to life in a vivid and beautifully written memoir.
Two dairies written by Bolton's youngest son, Charles, also recall life in Gibraltar during 1889 and life in England during 1895, when he visited his relatives in Lancashire and London.
We then get a glimpse of the Second World War in Gibraltar, through the eyes of Albert, the son of Charles, in 1942, and his warm views of his father on his passing in 1851.
Finally, recollections from Bolton's great grandson, Malcolm Beanland.
By meticulously reviving these accounts and the addition of numerous photographs, Malcolm and his daughter, V. J. Beanland, have managed to bring to life family history that would otherwise have been forgotten or lost again in time. Delve into the past and read accounts that were never intended for this world-wide audience.
Bolton Beanland, born in Colne, Lancashire, leaves a life in the mills at the age of 18 to join the army as a Gunner and through his accounts we find out what it was like to be in service during 1861. Via numerous letters, mentioning events such as the death of the Prince Consort in 1862, during his time in Woolwich, and the conflict in Jamaica in 1865, we discover the life of a soldier during testing circumstances.
His marriage to Emma Saword, in Jamaica, in 1865, and subsequent posting to Gibraltar in 1867 are celebrated, in this publication, by the Beanland family in Gibraltar to mark 150 years since their ancestors' arrival on The Rock.
However, tragic circumstances befall the family and are described by letters written by his wife and brother, Emmett. In addition, Bolton's daughter, Harriett, brings these years to life in a vivid and beautifully written memoir.
Two dairies written by Bolton's youngest son, Charles, also recall life in Gibraltar during 1889 and life in England during 1895, when he visited his relatives in Lancashire and London.
We then get a glimpse of the Second World War in Gibraltar, through the eyes of Albert, the son of Charles, in 1942, and his warm views of his father on his passing in 1851.
Finally, recollections from Bolton's great grandson, Malcolm Beanland.
By meticulously reviving these accounts and the addition of numerous photographs, Malcolm and his daughter, V. J. Beanland, have managed to bring to life family history that would otherwise have been forgotten or lost again in time. Delve into the past and read accounts that were never intended for this world-wide audience.
Oooh I shall have to get this, Vanessa! But I’m a bit confused. Are you the author? It sounds fascinating!!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Val! I am basically the glorified typist/ publisher... it took HOURS, MONTHS, etc to put it all together, but I did write some pieces within the book as a distant relative! Hope you are keeping well.
DeleteHi Vanessa. A google search brought me to your Amazon listing and I downloaded it yesterday. My husband is a descendant of Emma Saword’s parents through her uncle Charles, and I am so thrilled to have these documents. I can’t wait to read it. Thank you for taking the time to transcribe, annotate and publish all of this.
ReplyDeleteCorrection: her brother Charles.
DeleteHow exciting! If you have any pictures at all of Charles Saword this would be amazing. I have written a historical novel based on these letters and it would be great to put a face to the name! Thanks again, Vanessa
ReplyDeleteYes I do! How can I contact you directly?
DeleteAre you on Facebook? You can find me there, please. Then we can message :-) Can’t wait to see what he looked like. I have a picture of his son, Sydney who ended up in Mexico!
DeleteI have lots to tell you! Just messaged you on Facebook ...
Delete