I have been researching my family history on and off for almost ten years. My efforts have focused on my Dad's side, whose generations lived in and around the English Fenland villages of Upwell & Outwell near Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

These ancient rural settlements, straddling the border between Cambridgeshire and Norfolk, are much easier to research than London, where my Mum's family is from. Being an ocean away certainly complicates the process. However, with access to ever growing Internet resources, and collaboration with other researchers around the world, much progress has been made.

My database now contains close to 1800 individuals, spans 17 generations, and stretches back to the mid-17th century. The most prominent surname is MEANS. To download my latest database file, click here. The gedcom is zipped to reduce file size. Check back periodically for any updates.

To save file right-click on "click here" link; a dialog box should open; then select the "save target as" or "save link as" options (depending on your web browser).

My paternal ancestry is Rayner only to my great grandfather; it then becomes Means for one generation; then becomes Upcraft. I am currently most interested in locating the parish baptism record for Jane Means, born around 1820. She married Henry Upcraft in 1862; his family is next on my list to research.