RUBY One-Name Study : studying the Ruby surname across the world

WHY YOU MIGHT WANT A FACEBOOK GROUP FOR YOUR ONE-NAME PROJECT: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE RUBY PROJECT This post comes from team member Peggy Chapman, who usually posts the work of others on the blog but has taken on the role of writer this time.  For many one-namers or genealogists in general, their work is a solitary activity and while they may receive input from others, it is simply another information source rather than a project member.   However, la rger studies often have group collaboration.   Surnames that cross different cultures may mean participation of those more familiar with different countries are integral to the study success.   This describes the Ruby project, an initiative of the Guild of One-Name Studies to celebrate its 40 th anniversary.   If you are not familiar with the project, go back in the blog archive to the first post .   It was always intended that a closed Facebook group would be a communication tool for the project, in addition t

In this post, Nikki Brown demonstrates the flaws that may exist in census records by going on a search for Priscilla Agnes Ruby.  From transcription errors to issues of class , the post suggests the many reasons for inaccuracies, or simply people who cannot be found in any other source.  Perhaps you can find her!  Looking through the England & Wales 1881 Census database for those born or living in London that had not yet been researched, I realised that most of those remaining were servants and so would be harder to place with their families. However, I found a young woman, who because of a more unusual name, I thought would be less of a challenge. Her name was Priscilla Agnes Ruby and in 1881 was 20 years old and a servant in Lambeth. The original was legible and confirmed her name, age and occupation, although her birthplace was a little vague and stated only “London”. Excerpt from 1881 Census for Priscilla Agnes Ruby I ran into difficulty from the start. I was unable