By Sara McMahon
Family Beginnings: Saturdays with Gran
When growing up, I spent most Saturday mornings with my Gran who lived down the road from us in Leicester. When I was around eight, she introduced me to some of my ancestors by showing me old photographs. I was fascinated by the images, so she helped me draw a family tree on a piece of wallpaper to show how we were connected — I was hooked.
Family Stories: What Gran Told Me
My Gran, Louisa May Breeson (1901–1980), is pictured here with her first great-grandchild, my daughter Kirsty McMahon (1978–2021).
Gran told me lots of stories about her family that made the photographs come alive. Sadly, she didn’t make me write them down, so I only remember the most vivid ones.
Lesson number one: Record family stories somehow — write them, type them, record them.
Lesson number two: Transcribe early documents — even wallpaper counts
Family Records: Discovering the Archives
My next brush with family history was shortly before my mum passed away. I would spend hours with her in Warwick Record Office, helping her fill in forms for a population study project with Cambridge University. I quickly learned how to record vital information and decipher old handwriting. The book they published includes a dedication to her, which was a lovely gesture.
Family Trees and Floppy Disks
After having children and returning to work as a biology technician at Plymouth Polytechnic, I had the chance to buy a discounted computer. That’s when I discovered family tree software and genealogy websites. I began piecing together a tree from what Gran had told me, adding documents and scanning in photographs at work — all saved on floppy disks.
But I hit a problem. I could only name one person in a photo — William Hall (1817–1895), my 3× great-grandfather and a stone mason. The other two men remain a mystery. If anyone recognises them, please let me know.
Family Confusion: When DNA Reveals Surprises
Encouraged by success, I started on my dad’s side, asking him questions and reviewing photos. He’d been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so details were fuzzy — but I traced his line to the Hoggarths of Yorkshire, a place he loved.
Then, in 2015, after his death, my stepmother sent me documents that revealed a shock: I had been adopted by my dad after he married my mum. He wasn’t biologically related to me at all.
Suddenly, the lack of DNA matches on his side made sense.
Searching for My Biological Father
The paperwork named my biological father, so I began building a new tree. At first, I assumed he simply had no relatives in DNA databases. But during lockdown, I got a match — a first cousin once removed — linked to someone completely different.
That set off a new round of research. I worked out my biological father was likely one of four brothers, or that the named man wasn’t who he thought he was. Sadly, his family wanted nothing to do with me or DNA testing — a frustrating dead end.
But I keep following DNA leads. One day, I hope to confirm who my biological father was. It’s a reminder that paper trails don’t always tell the full story.
Turning a Passion into a Business
In 2008, I took voluntary redundancy after nearly 35 years at the University of Plymouth. I completed a short course on running a business and launched The Family History Company to help others uncover their roots. It was a great success, and I made many friends through it.
During COVID, I had to close the business due to archive closures and unpredictable delays. But people still find me — and I’m always happy to help where I can. I no longer charge for assistance and focus mainly on Devon and Cornwall archives, occasionally using Taunton in Somerset too.
An Ongoing Journey
Genealogy is never really finished — it’s a journey full of surprises, twists, and lifelong learning.
If you’re starting your own research, I wish you luck. And if you think I could help, just ask.
Interested in writing your guest blog and being featured on our official website? Contact marketing@family-wise.co.uk
