Dean, Nova Scotia
I am off for a couple of weeks to check out Dean, Nova Scotia, which was founded by my ancestor John Dean, about whom I am writing. Hope...
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May 31, 2010
First-footing at Hogmanay
Traditionally, in Scotland Christmas was a purely religious festival and New Years or Hogmanay was the main holiday. John Knox, founder...
May 24, 2010
Ellon Garden
When I was doing family tree research, I found this in the Old Parochial Records of Scotland. Susan Kirk Dean born 11/11/1787, ...
May 10, 2010
The Wicked Earl
In the Old Parochial Records of Scotland, I found the following: Susan Kirk Dean born 11/11/1787, christened 18/11/1787, father John...
May 3, 2010
Riots in London
My novel Exiled from Eden begins during the riots in London in 1780. Legislation had been passed for the civil relief of Catholics in...
Apr 26, 2010
Pigging out in the Eighteenth Century
Meat was the staple of eighteenth century meals– meat, meat and more meat. Although the poor might have only two types of meat at a meal,...
Apr 19, 2010
Scottish Wedding Traditions
Scottish wedding traditions are pretty bizarre. If you’re planning a wedding and have some Scottish ancestry (or even if you don’t) you...
Apr 13, 2010
In the Shadow of Revolution
The great events of our time colour who we are and shape us in ways to do not recognize. The American Revolution was in full swing when...
Apr 5, 2010
Tartan Day
Tomorrow is Tartan Day, and I want to honour that “holiday” by talking about my Scottish protagonist John Dean and explaining why the...
Mar 31, 2010
Elopement as Theft of Property
Unsuitable love matches must have been a problem in England in the 18th century because a law was passed in 1753 making marriage without...
Mar 22, 2010
The Masquerade at Vauxhall Garden
The masquerade needs to experience a revival as a form of popular entertainment. I can’t think of anything more fun than dressing up in...
Mar 16, 2010
Gardening in the 18th Century
I did a lot of research for The Pleasure Gardeners Companion. There are two really important books that I am greatly indebted to. One is...
Mar 9, 2010
Susan Kirke Dean: Revolutionary
Yesterday was International Women’s Day. It reminded me how far we’ve come as women in the west even since I was a girl. But we should...
Mar 5, 2010
The Pleasure Gardener’s Companion
I was doing some genealogical research, you know, dry dates of marriages and deaths, when I came across a juicy story. I have been...
Mar 4, 2010
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