Karen Clare takes a look at some new titles of interest in the world of family history

Adventure s in genealogy

Who Was Ann Gregg? by David Cooper Holmes

In his book subtitled The untold true story of one of Cumberland’s most determined felons, David Cooper Holmes reveals the astonishing biography of his 5x greatgrandmother, uncovered while researching his family history. Born in 1756, Ann Gregg was a notorious petty criminal who roamed the northern English counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, Northumberland and Durham as a member – and possibly leader – of a gang. Ann was an enigmatic and colourful character with 14 aliases who was jailed in at least seven different institutions (escaping four times) and avoided the death penalty and transportation – twice! Somehow she found time to produce 13 children (with four born in gaol) but was widowed when her husband died on a prison hulk. A friend was a local well-known prostitute who often dressed as a man and at least four of Ann’s children seem to have followed her example, with her granddaughter even starting a mutiny onboard her transportation ship.

Ann’s thrilling story is told thanks to the hugely impressive research of David, who has also connected with dozens of other living descendants along the way – including more than 50 distant cousins across the world who have contributed to his DNA project. This is an engaging personal research journey involving family history detection skills at their best, full of intriguing twists and turns… and inspiration and advice for anyone embarking on their own genealogy adventure.

• Published by P3 Publications, RRP £10 in paperback (ISBN: 9780993183584). Available from www.p3publications.com

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The Cowkeeper’s Wish: A Genealogical Journey by Tracy Kasaboski & Kristen den Hartog

Canadian-born sisters Tracy Kasaboski and Kristen den Hartog tell the story of an ordinary family through nearly 100 years of history, starting with a young cowkeeper and his wife who walked from coastal Wales to London with their cattle in the 1840s to start a new life. Tracing the poverty-stricken couple’s descendants through key moments in time, ending with their great-granddaughter in London, Ontario, the sisters have created a remarkable memoir, piecing together historical records and events and tracking down long-gone communities to map their ancestors’ stories. The Cowkeeper’s Wish is a beautifully rich and rewarding read that will entrance genealogy and history fans alike.