Home (Wareham family history and genealogy)

FamilyWareham

Genealogy is more than tracing a family tree; it is a journey into the past that reveals the lives and legacies of our ancestors.

“Through this research, I uncover stories of resilience and triumph that shape my family’s history. It deepens my understanding of who I am today and highlights the significance of telling the Wareham family’s story through history and genealogy.”

Investigation

This project drives me to explore archives, (Tracing the Wareham family history through archives) historical records and conducting Genealogy research on Wareham family records, and personal anecdotes, weaving together the intricate tapestry of my heritage.

Each discovery strengthens connections to distant relatives and sheds light on the cultural and historical influences that shaped their lives.

How it started

My passion for this project stems from an early childhood memory. At seven, I listened as my father shared a story about our large Dorset-based family.

“Although he was aware of many relatives, my research in 1995 revealed the full extent of our family ties and how far back our lineage stretches.”

In the early days of the Internet, genealogical resources remained scarce, but global email communication helped connect Warehams worldwide. As my research expanded, I gathered information that, while not immediately relevant, held potential for future discoveries.

To preserve these findings, I built a dedicated database—laying the foundation for what became this ongoing project.

Focus

FamilyWareham focuses on Wareham family history and genealogy, conducting comprehensive research, documentation, and analysis of the Wareham/Warham family name.

Our investigations take us to historically significant sites, including county archives, churches, graveyards, and old buildings, as we search for evidence to support evolving theories.

A single will document transformed our understanding of family connections, linking two distinct Wareham branches—an association that would have remained undiscovered without this invaluable record.

At this stage, our focus is on meticulously linking Wareham family trees—one individual at a time. Currently, we have refined our records to 641 interconnected family trees, down from an initial 842, as merges continue to streamline our findings.

“As connections emerge, researchers either create new trees independently or merge them into existing lineages.”

The Database

The database, spanning nearly a millennium, holds 115,504 records dating back to 1088. This archive reflects 29 years of meticulous, part-time research, with each entry documenting an individual bearing the Wareham/Warham name.

While the collection covers an extensive timeframe, the core records fall between 1538 and the present day.

The original database, built in Lotus Approach©, functioned well until 2018, when its size exceeded 2GB and became impractical. A transition to MS Access Database© followed, ensuring continued support. Microsoft has confirmed ongoing maintenance through at least 2029, and likely beyond.

Mission

Our plan of action is to use the database as the central archive, serving as the foundation for a comprehensive library of individuals bearing the Wareham* name.

This structure enables systematic tracking within the database and facilitates the identification of familial connections through the careful linking of names, dates, and locations.

As I dive into my family’s history, I eagerly share these findings to preserve our heritage for future generations and foster a deeper appreciation for our diverse roots. (Wareham family history and genealogy)

The Workflow

As new information becomes available, it undergoes a rigorous verification process.

Researchers cross-reference each record with existing data to prevent duplication, then analyze its source to ensure reliability and accuracy.

After validation, researchers integrate the new information into the relevant record and securely archive it within the subject’s file.

If the data pertains to my direct family line, I incorporate it into our family tree using the Legacy10© database.

Military

A particularly meaningful aspect of our research involves documenting Soldiers and Civilians named Wareham/Warham who sacrificed their lives in conflicts such as WWI, WWII, the Boer War, the Crimean War, and the Malayan Emergency.

To date, researchers have confirmed fifteen individuals in this category as relatives.

Among them, researchers recently identified a Wareham soldier who died in the Boer War, discovering his grave in South Africa in 2019.

Additionally, we maintain a record of service personnel who have served at any time, whether during wartime or peacetime, listed on the “Warehams Who Served” page. (Find war dead | War graves search | CWGC) A useful outbound link.

DNA

Advancements in DNA technology have proven invaluable in overcoming research obstacles and correcting historical inaccuracies in family ties and providing DNA insights into Wareham genealogy.

The vision and mission set in 1995 are now taking shape, delivering remarkable results. Compelling evidence has substantiated connections between Wareham families that once seemed unrelated.

As of today, I have 25,095 DNA matches to analyze, with 11,919 paternal and 9,941 maternal and 3.211 Unassigned and 24 Matches to both sides – connections to evaluate.

Research revelations

Our research has also revealed numerous instances of how the Warham name evolved into variants such as Wareham and Whareham, among others.

Despite these findings, some researchers remain skeptical that their surname is a derivative of Warham, steadfastly asserting no connection to the lineage.

While, in some cases, this may prove correct, we wish to emphasize that our goal is not to assert universal relation or challenge existing research. Ultimately, time will reveal whether these connections stand true or remain distinct.

This meticulous approach—gathering, analyzing, verifying, recording, and archiving—has proven highly effective, yielding substantial progress.

Important Note:

This is a closed website with no login or visitor accounts available. (Wareham family history and genealogy)

Chris Wareham December 2024

Note: On the Menu ribbon, you can click on the title link or one of its sub links

1.Genealogy Part One – Family Wareham

2.Genealogy Page Two – Family Wareham

3.Genealogy Page Three – Family Wareham

Note: (*or Warham – the name is mainly interchangeable in the majority of cases and is due to the scripter who made the records.)

Guest Book

Please add a comment in the guest book on your thoughts about our website content only. (It is not a platform to make contact with other researchers. Thank you)