Most of our ancestors have peaceful deaths but my 2xGt Grandfather, John Flynn's life came to an end in Granton Harbour. The records don't tell us whether he jumped, fell or was pushed, simply that his body was found in Granton Harbour on 13 August 1881, the cause of death, drowning. #MyFamily52Maps

My 2xGt Grandmother, Catherine Crinnell or Krennel came from the Isle of Man's most northerly parish, Kirk Bride. Or, as it appears on John Blaeu's map from his 'Atlas Maior' (1662/65), 'Kirk Bridge'.

Never mind the cartographic accuracy, just revel in the beauty of the map...

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Working out exactly where our rural ancestors lived can be a bit of a challenge, but thanks to James Wood's 1867 Atlas & Gazetteer of the Isle of Man, I know exactly where my 2x Gt Grandfather, Charles Howland, grew up. His parents owned the farm at Leodest in the parish of Andreas.

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My 2xGt Grandfather, Charles Howland, was born on the Isle of Man in 1843. He was baptised at Andreas parish church on 28 April and lived on the island until sometime around 1871 when he moved to Scotland. The Howland family's Manx roots can be traced back to the 17th century.

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My 2xGt Grandmother, Mary Layton, was an active member of the Old Meeting House, the Independent chapel in Well Street, Buckingham, seen here on this Tithe Map. It's likely that this is where she met her future husband, my 2x Gt Grandfather, Thomas Port. They married there in 1847.

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