There are a number of different directions genealogy research can take including singular focus lines of enquiry including One-Name Studies and One-Place Studies. Many researchers just focus on the UK but know others have a global element.
These investigations are supported by organisations including the Guild of One-Name Studies 1 [GOONS] and the Society for One-Place Studies 2 [SfOPS]. I have joined the latter as undertaking research on a particular location.
As only looking at an individual building am referring to mine as a One-Place Place Study. The image below is one of many inherited but unable to identify the photographer for majority as most of the connected people are no longer with us.
This aerial photograph is of Waldershare Park 3 which is situated just outside Dover, Kent, England. In June 2022 it even featured in Country Life 4 magazine when the estate was put up for sale.
The property that is the focus of my research being Home Farm Cottage found in the centre of the image. My grandparents lived there for a number of years but also have a photograph of the property from a much earlier date as well.
Having established this became a Grade II listed building in 1987 have submitted that document and another more modern of the same view to the Historic England 5 National Heritage List for the place.
They believe it was built in the late 18th century so it should appear in all available census records for the location. As the mansion is a prominent building should be able to use this to work out some placement of properties listed around it.
At the moment I am just information gathering and making lists of resources which provide information relating to Home Farm Cottage and its surroundings so that in time I can create a full timeline.
As you can see behind me in the photograph 6 there are a number of flowers in the cottage garden and growing things plus keeping livestock is a theme across the generations on both sides of my family.
On a side note the pram has just been passed onto a family friend, who has known me all my life, for their great-grandchild to use. I refuse to consider the date of this image but will admit that several decades have passed since it was taken.
Also, know of a number of Waldershare connected events to which the building has been party so will have to document these as well as finding what other photographs are held in family and outside archives.
If anyone has information that can help me with this project please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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Footnotes
- Guild of One-Name Studies – https://one-name.org/ ↩︎
- Society for One-Place Studies – https://www.one-place-studies.org/ ↩︎
- Aerial image of Waldershare Park, Kent, England – Unknown photographer, image held in family archive ↩︎
- Article re sale of estate in Country Life Magazine – countrylife.co.uk/property/a-grand-historic-country-estate-near-dover-surrounded-by-over-430-acres-of-mature-parkland-now-for-sale-for-11-225-million-243726 ↩︎
- Home Farm Cottage entry in Historic England National Heritage List – historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1263929 ↩︎
- Lorna outside Home Farm Cottage – Unknown photographer, image held in family archive ↩︎