My name is Paul Ellis. I was born and raised in the Meadows area of Nottingham, moving to live in Bulwell when the Meadows was demolished in the mid 1970s. I have been researching my own family history for the last 8 years and during that time have used the Nottinghamshire Archives, the Local Studies Library, the internet and when
necessary, researchers from other counties and countries if it worked out cheaper than travelling there myself
My interest in my own family history started from wanting to know the story behind my grandfather's service medals from World War 1 and gradually grew to tracing his line back to the 1600's.
I have been lucky in that most of my ancestors were from Nottinghamshire, apart from a few that got the travelling bug and settled elsewhere. Many people, however, have many generations who lived and died in foreign parts. Generations have left England and travelled to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and America to name but a few.
As a diversion I am also researching the life of a 19th century lunatic from Leeds. I first became aware of this ladies story after purchasing some letters and documents which were written between her family and their solicitors. I hope one day, to be able to write her story.
Because of my love of family and local history I have also set up a website for ex residents of the old Meadows area of Nottingham, the place where I was born, so that they could put down their memories of the area where they lived. I'm glad to say that it was a success, with people all over the world contacting me with their stories and pictures.
I also collect, buy and sell old documents and letters, a hobby which started as a result of researching my own family history.
Testimonials
"I was delighted when Nottinghamshire Families discovered my Nottinghamshire ancestors had a Sherriff of Nottingham in the family."
Mrs A Johnson. Tx. USA
"My great-grandfather was killed in action during World War 1 and buried in the churchyard at Strelley. We can now see his final resting place, thanks to Nottinghamshire Families."
Mr P Thompson. Adelaide Australia
"We had come up against a brick wall with our ancestors in Newark. Luckily Nottinghamshire Families could visit the archives in Nottinghamshire, where they discovered that not only had our ancestor been married twice but he was also listed under a different variation of spelling."
Mr T Joyner. Hobart. Tasmania
"Imagine our delight to discover that we were
descendants of one of the first convicts to be sent from the UK.
