Blog@familywareham “Wareham-family-history-and-genealogy”

A journal of our Wareham Genealogy research progress and key points

Database and Images update

So we are getting close to completing the data input and have reached 118,000 records. A truly astonishing achievement.

With the help of AI we are now enhacing the images we have of the Soldiers and it is amazing how much improved they are. From old, poor quality resolution and damage, the new improved images are superb! The real character of the individuals shines through and each image will be updated in turn.

14th July 2025

Project Archives

The current status of our “Wareham-family-hisotry-and-genealogy” archives is: 158Gb Data; 71,909 Files; 17,602 Folders.

The remaining incoming information now stands at 10.5Gb (11,314,650,103 bytes); in 548 Documents.

In 2000 we accumulated 768Gb of Data, in an unknown number of A4 pages, which when stored were 5 columns of A4 paper, some double sided with information, where each column stood approx 4 feet tall!

That was without the further added info both digital and paper based that added to that figure.

We never thought at the beginning, back in 1995, that we would accumulate some much info whilst “Tracing Wareham ancestors”.

With reference to the DNA it has already given clues and revealed lines of enquiry for “Wareham lineage exploration”.

Perhaps one day we will be able to provide an acceptable comprehensive story relating to “Historical records of the Wareham family”.

Please check out our Polices, Terms and Conditions: Policies – Terms – Conditions – Family Wareham

Also the sites that have been and still are so helpful to our Wareham Genealogy research: Ancestry.co.uk FreeBMD GRO FindaGrave

14th June 2025

Avoiding a Major Setback

Recently, we attempted to install a plugin designed to create an online shop. However, during the setup process, the plugin wizard caused an unexpected crash, resulting in an HTTP 500 error that left us unable to access the admin dashboard for several weeks.

Today, we finally regained access and are working to update the site information. We will thoroughly investigate the issue and attempt the installation again at a later stage.

In the meantime, we are addressing the numerous messages we’ve received and sincerely apologise for any delays.

10th June 2025

A Remarkable Milestone in Wareham Genealogy research Family Research

On 13th February 2025, the Wareham Family Tree Project reached an incredible milestone—100,000 records documented. Based on the vast amount of data still awaiting review, we estimate the final total may reach 140,000 records. Currently, our archive contains 12.3 GB of data, spread across 14,002 files in 536 folders. Some documents span hundreds of pages, making the depth of information truly immense.

We are actively working on merging duplicate records, ensuring that variations in available information are accurately reconciled. This process requires careful verification to confirm identities and relationships before integration can proceed.

Additionally, new datasets continue to emerge online, providing further research opportunities for “Wareham family history”. While the volume of data remains challenging, we remain committed to expanding and refining our collection. The journey continues, and we look forward to uncovering even more connections in the Wareham-family-history-and-genealogy.

13th February 2025

A Major Data Loss—Lessons and Future Planning

Our aging I.T. equipment suffered a major setback with the mechanical failure of a 6TB hard drive, which served as our primary backup storage. The issue appears to stem from a disk head failure, and recovery may not be possible.

Thankfully, the Family Tree Project remains secure, as we maintain two additional backup drives. However, the failed drive contained a wealth of other family-related data, including photographs with detailed descriptions—capturing names, locations, dates, and historical context—alongside other critical information.

This situation echoes an earlier disaster in 2000, when we lost approximately 2,500 records and had to painstakingly rebuild them. Fortunately, at that time, we retained paper archives, allowing us to restore the lost data.

The immediate challenge now is to evaluate data recovery options, which appear costly and may not be viable based on preliminary research. Additionally, we must urgently reassess our I.T. infrastructure, prioritizing an upgrade to mitigate future risks and ensure robust archival solutions for long-term preservation.

Data reliability remains an ongoing concern in technology. While no system can offer absolute protection, manufacturers must explore more resilient methods to safeguard essential information. A practical, forward-thinking approach to data storage is long overdue.

11th December 2024

Wareham Family Trees—Expanding and Refining Connections

Currently, we maintain 824 active Wareham family trees, though this number fluctuates as research progresses. Whenever clear links emerge, individual trees are merged, consolidating genealogical connections. 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—an example of this process is the recent consolidation of 40 separate family trees into my own lineage.

This phase of the research is uncovering the true relationships among Wareham families, challenging long-held assumptions. Some have believed that spelling variations—such as Wareham and Warham—indicate unrelated family lines. However, emerging evidence suggests these differences often originate from regional script variations, rather than distinct family origins.

Additionally, as 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 discovery may be disappointing for some, it serves as a valuable reminder of how family myths and assumptions can sometimes lead researchers astray.

With each step forward, our expanding family trees provide a clearer picture of Wareham ancestry. Though challenges remain, we remain committed to pursuing the most accurate and well-documented genealogy possible.

5th May 2023

Honoring Wareham Soldiers Through Research and Remembrance

After years of dedicated research into the 104 soldiers bearing the Wareham name, we have confirmed that 15 of them are directly related to my family. The scale of loss across the extended Wareham lineage is deeply sobering, highlighting the profound cost of war.

To ensure their sacrifices are remembered, we plan to undertake a one-time tour of all 104 graves and memorials. This journey will allow us to document each site through photographs and video, forming the foundation of a memorial book that will honor their lives and legacy.

By preserving their stories, we hope to provide a lasting tribute to those who served, ensuring their memory continues for generations to come.

8th February 2023

Windows 11 Upgrade—Unexpected Challenges and Fixes

In late 2021, I received a notification from Microsoft confirming my PC was eligible for the free Windows 11 upgrade. Following the installation process, however, I encountered an unexpected issue—MS Access Database stopped displaying thumbnail images.

After investigating the problem, I discovered that Windows 11 no longer supports MS Paint in the same way, causing the OLE image link between MS Access and MS Paint to fail.

Thankfully, my I.T. specialist identified a workaround, successfully applying a fix that restored functionality.

While the upgrade introduced new features, Microsoft must do more to inform users of potential compatibility issues and ensure necessary fixes are provided automatically within future updates.

Advice for Windows 11 Upgraders

If you haven’t upgraded yet, take precautions:

• Back up all essential data before proceeding.
• Be prepared for possible compatibility issues with legacy applications.
• Research potential fixes for known software disruptions before upgrading.

8th February 2023

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Breaking Through a Genealogical Brick Wall

While tracing my paternal lineage, I encountered a complete dead end with my 8x Great-Grandfather, Joseph Wareham. The only record I could find was a Parish Register noting his marriage to Betty and the birth of their three children—yet beyond that, Joseph remained an enigma.

For 16 years (2001–2017), the search remained stagnant. Then, during a visit to the Who Do You Think You Are? Live event in Birmingham, I had a rare opportunity—since the venue wasn’t too crowded, I secured a free 15-minute consultation with a genealogy expert.

During the session, I explained my dilemma. She outlined several strategies, and one particularly promising suggestion stood out: search for a Wareham family WILL. If I could locate a WILL from anyone in Joseph’s immediate family, I might uncover a crucial link. However, with no known siblings, parents, or WILLS tied to his children, the search had to begin elsewhere.

That evening, I systematically combed through my incoming archives, where I had previously stored various Wareham WILLS, many unread. Within two hours, the breakthrough came—I had unknowingly already archived the very document I needed all along.

The discovery? A WILL belonging to John Wareham, residing in a nearby village. In his legal declaration, John specifically named his brother Joseph, identifying not only Joseph’s location but confirming their direct familial connection. It was the missing piece I had long sought.

With John’s parents now identified, the search expanded effortlessly. What had seemed an impassable brick wall suddenly opened the door to an entirely new branch of the Wareham family—a link I may never have found without the crucial evidence provided by the WILL.

Key Learning Points from This Discovery:

• Never give up—some records exist, even if hidden from view.
• Plan a logical, thorough search—approach the problem from different angles.
• Think critically—strategic advice from experts can reveal new pathways.
• Check archived documents carefully—you may already possess the missing link.

Sometimes, the answers we seek have been in front of us all along—we just need the right approach to uncover them.

8th June 2021

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Backup Crisis Averted

The first major step in transferring data from the Lotus Approach 97 Database has been successfully completed! All records have now been migrated to MS Access, allowing updates to resume after a long pause since October 2019, when my I.T. guru needed a complete snapshot of the dataset.

While there is still work to be done to enhance functionality, the system already looks and feels great.

This transition marks a critical stepping stone, especially as Microsoft has discontinued support for MS Access. A future phase will involve identifying a suitable replacement and upgrading to new software. What that solution will be remains to be seen, but with the data now in a structured format, the eventual migration should be far smoother when the time comes.

So, onwards, Sir Honkers—we have work to do!

May 2021

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“Wareham genealogy research”—A Hard Lesson in Backup Management

Backing up research files should be a straightforward process, but when mistakes happen, they can be devastating.

A few days ago, during my routine monthly backup, I made a critical error. With multiple Windows open, I accidentally copied backup files to my working files, instead of the other way around.

About 10 minutes into the update, I realized the process was running in reverse. Fortunately, I caught it just in time to prevent further loss—but my 101 Soldiers files were overwritten.

The recovery process began immediately, rebuilding the files one by one. In the end, only six files were damaged, but the experience reinforced the importance of precision and oversight in data management.

Lessons Learned & Safeguards Implemented

• Preventing future mistakes—I’ve established clearer process steps to avoid repetition of this error.
• Windows 10 Previous Versions—I discovered this feature was not enabled by default, something I hadn’t realized before.
• The importance of awareness—Small oversights can lead to major setbacks, reinforcing the need for careful system checks.

A valuable lesson indeed—always verify backup settings, and when in doubt, double-check everything before proceeding.