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Piece By Piece a Genealogical Jigsaw
As Neil Armstrong first-footed the moon, the author and her husband Bob took their first steps into the past to solve a mystery that had haunted her father all his who were his mother and his maternal kin?
Through the pages of this illustrated and factual book we follow them as they prove that a conspiracy had prevented him from discovering his maternal roots! At times they are led (in a way that neither can explain) in a new and more promising direction and Bob insists that “someone up there” is guiding them.
Piece by piece, like a giant Victorian jigsaw, the evidence forms a fascinating picture, but one with a hole at its heart – a hole that will not be filled until the baffling mystery is solved..
Do they ever solve it and complete the picture?
After ten years research in North Wales, a new piece of evidence and a distant memory cause a sudden change in venue which reveals the reason for the conspiracy of silence and the staggering truth about his mother.
Through the pages of this illustrated and factual book we follow them as they prove that a conspiracy had prevented him from discovering his maternal roots! At times they are led (in a way that neither can explain) in a new and more promising direction and Bob insists that “someone up there” is guiding them.
Piece by piece, like a giant Victorian jigsaw, the evidence forms a fascinating picture, but one with a hole at its heart – a hole that will not be filled until the baffling mystery is solved..
Do they ever solve it and complete the picture?
After ten years research in North Wales, a new piece of evidence and a distant memory cause a sudden change in venue which reveals the reason for the conspiracy of silence and the staggering truth about his mother.
- GenresNonfiction
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2015
45 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 24, 2021
I loved this book right down to its unexpected ending. I gave it 5 stars because I love genealogy but even I had to get out a notebook and a pen and write down names and dates. I’m glad I started reading in the morning or I might have stayed up all night. I read it straight through! Apparently there’s another book she’s written that I need to find.
August 7, 2021
Riveting! Seldom do I read a book in one day, but this and Ward's other book THE PRICE OF PEACE were two exceptions. Having spent 30 years both pre and post internet and dna, trying to piece together my father's paternal family, I can appreciate all the research involved, and the "Ah Ha!" moments when a new piece falls into your lap, as if someone is guiding you on in your search. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in genealogy and family history. Be sure to read the other book as well.
October 5, 2020
A Gripping Read For Any Genealogist
A fascinating and gripping true account of how the author discovered that she and her sister are related to .... But that would give too much away!
As an amateur genealogist researching my own family. I was gripped by the highs and lows of the author's research, as she and her husband travelled the country - and abroad- to find the truth about her grandmother's birth. Never have I been so glad of the internet!
A fascinating and gripping true account of how the author discovered that she and her sister are related to .... But that would give too much away!
As an amateur genealogist researching my own family. I was gripped by the highs and lows of the author's research, as she and her husband travelled the country - and abroad- to find the truth about her grandmother's birth. Never have I been so glad of the internet!
June 13, 2021
Interesting
I found I was unable to put this book down until I was able to finish it. As an amateur genealogist, it was as if I were researching this life myself. Great input on all the digging to find the whole story. Great read!
I found I was unable to put this book down until I was able to finish it. As an amateur genealogist, it was as if I were researching this life myself. Great input on all the digging to find the whole story. Great read!
August 21, 2020
Interesting wonder if the author ever thought of doing her DNA now !
January 19, 2022
I really, really enjoyed this book, but I remain skeptical as to its truthfulness. It read like fiction; a decades-long research project like this one would hardly have begun with all the actual conversations between the author and her husband being faithfully recorded. The number of leaps to unfounded conclusions and the many coincidences that fit into the picture she builds are too many for me to believe. The other-worldly experiences with her sister on their research trip didn't ring true to me, although highly entertaining and fun. I wanted everything to be true, but at the end I felt like I had been reading a fairy tale. In the end, there was no proof. But why didn't she have a wrap-up conversation with Bob? I felt really cheated there; he had been such a clairvoyant co-researcher. I loved that the genealogical records and how they were found DID ring true. So there is just a possibility still that fairy tales are true.
May 12, 2022
Genealogy research at it's best
This book is one of these that shows absolute determination to pursue the wish of her dying father to find his mother's family. Step by step she and her husband search through England and north Wales to find pieces of his family history that eventually take she and her sister to Europe where their suspicions are proven true. Well written in the first person. Makes you realize how much genealogy has been changed by DNA.
This book is one of these that shows absolute determination to pursue the wish of her dying father to find his mother's family. Step by step she and her husband search through England and north Wales to find pieces of his family history that eventually take she and her sister to Europe where their suspicions are proven true. Well written in the first person. Makes you realize how much genealogy has been changed by DNA.
December 16, 2021
Perseverance pays off!
Highly recommended to amateur genealogists! As such I was fascinated by the incredible tenacity and ingenuity this
Couple demonstrated through many years of research to unravel their family mystery. Some almost unbelievable coincidences leading to more clues and a clear, interesting writing style made this a truly enjoyable read.
Highly recommended to amateur genealogists! As such I was fascinated by the incredible tenacity and ingenuity this
Couple demonstrated through many years of research to unravel their family mystery. Some almost unbelievable coincidences leading to more clues and a clear, interesting writing style made this a truly enjoyable read.
January 11, 2022
Fascinating! Utterly Fascinating!
I have read numerous genealogy books! None of them compare to this excellent read. As the family historian this book gives me hope I will someday find my paternal great grandparents who I have been searching since 1998. Read this book! Twists , turns and not what you think will happen! So well written! Loved it!
I have read numerous genealogy books! None of them compare to this excellent read. As the family historian this book gives me hope I will someday find my paternal great grandparents who I have been searching since 1998. Read this book! Twists , turns and not what you think will happen! So well written! Loved it!
March 22, 2021
This appears to be the true story of the genealogical research into her father's family by the author. But, it reads like a mystery novel, with a very surprising and unbelievable ending.
November 29, 2022
I am blessed to have a paper copy of both books written by my aunt.
The inexhaustible research trips, the retelling of family stories, are all so well portrayed in the books.
I grew up with the stories of my grandfather's "lost" roots, yet at last - and by strange means - they were finally unearthed. Truth is often stranger than fiction and this perfectly describes not only the story but also the means by which the ends finally came together. A good, solid read with many unexpected turns.
The inexhaustible research trips, the retelling of family stories, are all so well portrayed in the books.
I grew up with the stories of my grandfather's "lost" roots, yet at last - and by strange means - they were finally unearthed. Truth is often stranger than fiction and this perfectly describes not only the story but also the means by which the ends finally came together. A good, solid read with many unexpected turns.
December 4, 2022
A jigsaw for sure!
While a bit difficult to follow at times because of the subterfuge and the number of hes and shes, it is a very interesting story. Anyone who has researched their own family history knows the frustration of dealing with repetitive family names and the oft met 'brick wall.' Here it is an immense wall built and maintained through the years by the deception of people of prominence.
While a bit difficult to follow at times because of the subterfuge and the number of hes and shes, it is a very interesting story. Anyone who has researched their own family history knows the frustration of dealing with repetitive family names and the oft met 'brick wall.' Here it is an immense wall built and maintained through the years by the deception of people of prominence.
July 13, 2023
What a page turner!! Never thought when I started this as part of a search to create a list of books for my genealogy group members to read about others peoples searches for their lost families that I would find a book I could hardly put down. Sometimes had trouble believing all their luck but hope someday I get that luck with my father-in-laws missing family. Great read!!
June 5, 2021
Hung on to every word
At first, it took a lot of concentration to keep up with all the characters. However, it was a story that kept giving. The last part was spine tingling.
A great read!
At first, it took a lot of concentration to keep up with all the characters. However, it was a story that kept giving. The last part was spine tingling.
A great read!
June 12, 2022
A fascinating read and a great story about genealogy work in the "olden days" before so much information was available online and before DNA tests allowed for the substantiation of family trees. While I loved the book, I am unsure of its (unsubstantiated) conclusion.
June 24, 2019
Almost unbelievable thread of events
As an amateur genealogist myself, I found this story incredible and fascinating. Very cloak and dagger story of intrigue and conspiracy.
As an amateur genealogist myself, I found this story incredible and fascinating. Very cloak and dagger story of intrigue and conspiracy.
May 1, 2021
What an intriguing story! Admired the time given to researching, in a time prior to records being able to be viewed on-line. Glad that the family mystery was able to be solved.
May 26, 2021
OMG
Don't know how I came.across this book, but this is the best Genealogy book ever!
Thank you to the reviewer who mentioned to read the other book first
Don't know how I came.across this book, but this is the best Genealogy book ever!
Thank you to the reviewer who mentioned to read the other book first
September 1, 2021
What an amazing story! Real life genealogy at its best. I loved this book from start to finish - well written and full of interesting characters and plot twists . And it’s all true!
April 1, 2023
A family secret buried so deep and covered up that it is a wonder that they were able to figure it out.
I wish they had confirmed with DNA.
I wish they had confirmed with DNA.
January 21, 2024
Wow, rivetting and so well written. Amazing research all at a time when records were not available on line
January 7, 2025
I'm waiting for the paper version.
July 7, 2025
Interesting story of family research.
June 23, 2022
Fascinating journey! This is the author's real genealogical journey to discover her ancestor.
August 14, 2021
A riveting, remarkable story. If I read it again (and I might), I will take notes in the form of family trees and friends-neighbors-associates as I go along to keep all the names and clues straight. I had to keep reminding myself all this research was done before DNA come into play. Amazing.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews