Blog@familywareham Wareham family history and genealogy
DNA Update
The DNA links and hits are growing fast. The current list is 25,396. Paternal side 12,076. Maternal side 10,081. Both sides 25. Unassigned 3,214. 27 new since the last update.
In trying to pin down my Maternal Grandfather who is currently unknown, i have managed to filter the list down to 802 DNA hits. This is the biggest brick wall i have in my family tree and it would be a massive leap back in time if i can identify him and his relations.
Onwards and Backwards then
Wareham family history Research Journal
In this latest chapter of our ongoing exploration into Wareham family history, we’re proud to report that as of 14th July 2025, our project has reached a remarkable milestone: we’ve entered over 118,000 records into our database.
Notably, this achievement reflects years of dedicated research and meticulous documentation. Furthermore, it marks a major Database Milestone — now paired with a breakthrough in AI-Enhanced Soldier Portraits.
At the same time, we’ve begun enhancing our archival soldier portraits using AI technology. The results speak for themselves: we’ve transformed damaged and low-resolution images into crisp, character-rich restorations. Consequently, these improvements reveal far more of each individual’s personality and story, breathing new life into our historical records.
Moving forward, we’ll continue updating each image in turn, ensuring consistent quality across the collection and preserving the legacy of those who served.
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Wareham lineage research Archives Update
As of 14th June 2025, our Wareham-family-history-and-genealogy archives have reached an impressive scale:
- 158 GB of data
- 71,909 files across 17,602 folders
In addition, all remaining incoming material currently stands at 10.5 GB (11,314,650,103 bytes), comprising 548 documents awaiting processing.
To put this in perspective, back in 2000, we had already accumulated 768 GB of data, much of it in printed A4 format. When stacked, these documents formed five towering columns — some double-sided — each approximately four feet high.
Nevertheless, that figure didn’t include additional digital and paper-based contributions that followed.
Looking further back, when we began this journey in 1995, we never imagined we’d gather such a vast trove of information while tracing Wareham ancestors.
Since then, DNA research has opened new lines of enquiry, offering valuable clues for Wareham lineage exploration. As a result, these insights continue to shape our understanding of a family’s historical footprint.
Ultimately, we hope to present a comprehensive and accessible narrative drawn from historical records of Wareham family history.
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Avoiding a Major Setback
Plugin Crash and Site Recovery Update
On 10th June 2025, we experienced a significant technical issue while attempting to install a WordPress plugin intended to create an online shop for our Wareham Genealogy site.
During setup, part of this plugin’s configuration wizard triggered an unexpected crash, resulting in an HTTP 500 error. As a consequence, the admin dashboard became inaccessible for several weeks.
Fortunately, access has now been restored. At present, we’re updating site information and reviewing the plugin’s behaviour to understand the root cause.
Looking ahead, we plan to attempt a future installation once we’ve completed a thorough investigation.
In the meantime, we’re working through a backlog of messages and sincerely apologise for any delays this disruption may have caused.
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A Remarkable Milestone in Wareham family history Research
Wareham family Genealogy Expansion and Data Integration
On 13th February 2025, the Wareham Family History Tree Project reached a major milestone: we’ve now documented over 100,000 records.
Given the volume of data still under review, we estimate the final total may exceed 140,000 records — a testament to decades of dedicated research.
Currently, our archive holds 12.3 GB of data, distributed across 14,002 files in 536 folders. Notably, many documents span hundreds of pages, reflecting the extraordinary depth and complexity of our Wareham family history collection.
As a result, we are actively merging duplicate entries and reconciling variations in available information. To ensure accuracy, our meticulous process involves verifying identities and relationships before integration.
Meanwhile, new datasets continue to emerge online, offering fresh opportunities to expand our research.
Despite these challenges, we remain committed to refining and growing the Wareham-family-history-and-genealogy archive.
Ultimately, our journey is far from over — and each new discovery brings us closer to a more complete understanding of Wareham lineage.
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Backup Failure and Infrastructure Review
On 11th December 2024, our aging I.T. infrastructure suffered a serious setback: a 6TB hard drive, which served as our primary backup, experienced a mechanical failure — likely due to a disk head malfunction. Unfortunately, data recovery may not be possible.
Thankfully, the Wareham Family Tree Project remains secure, thanks to two additional backup drives. However, the failed drive contained a substantial volume of family-related data, including photographs with detailed metadata — names, dates, locations, and historical context — as well as other critical documents.
Remembering that this incident echoes a previous data loss in 2000, when we lost approximately 2,500 records and had to rebuild them manually. Fortunately, our paper archives at the time enabled partial restoration.
We are now evaluating recovery options, though early research suggests they may be prohibitively expensive.
More urgently, we must reassess our I.T. infrastructure, prioritizing upgrades to prevent future failures and ensure long-term archival preservation.
In an age of digital dependency, data reliability remains a pressing concern. While no system offers absolute protection, we believe manufacturers and archivists alike must adopt more resilient strategies to safeguard essential historical information.
A forward-thinking approach to data storage and backup planning is no longer optional — it’s essential.
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Wareham family history Trees — Expanding and Refining Connections
Genealogical Merging and Historical Accuracy for Wareham family history
As of 5th May 2023, we maintain 824 active Wareham family trees, though this number fluctuates as research progresses.
When clear genealogical links emerge, individual trees are merged to consolidate relationships. As a result, the total count may increase or decrease over time.
To ensure accuracy, we are conducting a comprehensive quality check on each record. Merging trees requires meticulous verification — a recent example involved the consolidation of 40 separate family trees into my own lineage.
As a line of enquiry, this phase of research is revealing the true relationships among Wareham families and challenging long-held assumptions.
For instance, some have believed that spelling variations — such as Wareham and Warham — indicate unrelated family lines. However, emerging evidence suggests these differences often stem from regional script variations, rather than distinct origins.
As our research deepens, new insights continue to reshape long-standing genealogical narratives. One key revelation has been the confirmation that not all individuals claiming descent from Archbishop William Warham share a direct lineage.
While this may be disappointing for some, it highlights the importance of verifying family myths and assumptions through documented evidence.
With each step forward, our expanding family trees offer a clearer and more accurate picture of Wareham ancestry. Though challenges remain, we remain committed to building the most well-documented and historically sound genealogy possible.
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Honouring Wareham Soldiers Through Research and Remembrance
Memorial Tour and Legacy Documentation
As of 8th February 2023, our long-term research into Wareham soldiers has identified 104 individuals who served across various conflicts. Of these, 15 are confirmed to be directly related to my family — a deeply sobering reminder of the profound cost of war across the extended Wareham lineage.
To commemorate their sacrifices, we plan a one-time memorial tour to visit all 104 graves and monuments. This journey will be documented through photographs and video, forming the foundation of a memorial book that honours their lives, service, and legacy.
By preserving their stories, we aim to create a lasting tribute to those who served — ensuring their memory endures for future generations and remains an integral part of Wareham family history.
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Windows 11 Upgrade — Unexpected Challenges and Fixes
MS Access Thumbnail Issue and Compatibility Advice
On 8th February 2023, I documented a significant issue following the Windows 11 upgrade. Although my PC being confirmed eligible for the free update in late 2021, the installation introduced an unexpected problem: MS Access databases stopped displaying thumbnail images.
After investigation, the root cause being identified — Windows 11 no longer supports MS Paint in the same way, breaking the OLE image link between MS Access and Paint. This change disrupted the visual display of embedded images within legacy database files.
Fortunately, my I.T. specialist implemented a workaround that successfully restored functionality. However, this experience highlights the need for better communication from Microsoft regarding compatibility issues with legacy applications.
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Breaking Through a Genealogical Brick Wall
Discovering Joseph Wareham’s Lineage Through Archival Research
While tracing my paternal lineage, I encountered a longstanding obstacle: my 8x Great-Grandfather, Joseph Wareham, appeared only in a Parish Register noting his marriage to Betty and the birth of their three children. Beyond that, Joseph remained a mystery.
For 16 years (2001–2017), the search yielded no further clues. Then, during a visit to the Who Do You Think You Are? Live event in Birmingham, I secured a rare opportunity — a free 15-minute consultation with a genealogy expert, thanks to a quiet moment at the venue.
I explained my dilemma, and she outlined several strategies. One suggestion stood out: search for a Wareham family WILL. If I could locate a WILL from someone in Joseph’s immediate family, it might reveal the missing link. With no known siblings, parents, or WILLS tied to his children, the search had to begin elsewhere.
That evening, I combed through my incoming archives, where I had previously stored numerous Wareham WILLS — many unread. Within two hours, the breakthrough came: I had unknowingly archived the very document I needed.
The discovery? A WILL belonging to John Wareham, residing in a nearby village. In his legal declaration, John specifically named his brother Joseph, confirming both Joseph’s location and their direct familial connection; and therefore the missing piece I had long sought.
Now John’s parents were identified, the search expanded effortlessly. What had once seemed an impassable genealogical brick wall opened the door to an entirely new branch of the Wareham family tree — a connection I may never have found without the crucial evidence preserved in that WILL.
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Key Learning Points from a Genealogical Breakthrough
Strategies for Overcoming Research Dead Ends
Reflecting on the discovery made on 8th June 2021, several key lessons emerged from the successful resolution of a long-standing genealogical brick wall:
- Never give up — some records do exist, even if hidden from view or misfiled. Persistence is essential.
- Plan a logical, thorough search — approach the problem from multiple angles and remain open to alternative strategies.
- Think critically — expert advice can reveal new pathways and challenge assumptions.
- Check archived documents carefully — the missing link may already be in your possession, waiting to be recognised.
- Sometimes, the answers are right in front of us — we simply need the right approach to uncover them.
Clearly, these principles continue to guide our Wareham genealogy research, reminding us that breakthroughs often come from methodical effort, fresh perspective, and a willingness to revisit what we thought we already knew.
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Backup Crisis Averted
Lotus Approach Migration and Future Planning
In May 2021, we successfully completed the first major phase of data migration from the legacy Lotus Approach 97 database to Microsoft Access.
This milestone allows updates to resume after a long pause dating back to October 2019, when a full snapshot of the dataset was required by our I.T. specialist.
Therefore, while further work is needed to enhance system functionality, the new setup already looks and feels significantly improved.
In this case the transition marks a critical step forward, especially given that Microsoft has discontinued support for MS Access. A future phase will involve identifying a suitable replacement and upgrading to more modern software.
Although the ideal solution remains undecided, having the data in a structured format will make the eventual migration far smoother.
So, onwards, Sir Honkers — we have work to do!
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“Wareham Genealogy Research” — A Hard Lesson in Backup Management
Data Loss, Recovery, and Safeguards for Wareham family history research records
Backing up research files should be a straightforward process — but when mistakes happen, the consequences can be severe.
During a routine monthly backup, I made a critical error. With multiple Windows open, I accidentally copied backup files into my working directory, instead of the other way around.
Although, about ten minutes into the update, I realised the process began running in reverse. Fortunately, I caught it just in time to prevent further loss — but my 101 Soldiers files were overwritten.
A recovery process began immediately. I rebuilt the files one by one, and in the end, only six files were damaged. Still, the experience reinforced the importance of precision and oversight in data management.
Useful Resources
📂 Site Sections
Wareham Soldiers (Military Listing only, no photos) (Ongoing Updates)