Why names are a nuisance
Have you misheard a name? Do people always mispell your name?
Chad Hanna has always been fascinated by the names we use for people and places. His experience as a computer programmer indexing names for a genealogy web site and matching electoral registers to housing benefit recipients and council tax payers as provided additional insights into the joy and curse of names. The joy of names like Torpenhow hill (that translates to ‘hill hill hill hill’) and the Tragedeigh of Sessilia (pronounced as Cecilia).
To join in this branch meeting, you will need a computer device which has a microphone and speakers. Ideally, also a webcam. You also need to be able to access emails from this device. First time users will be asked to download a small piece of software to join the meeting. The meeting link will be emailed to you in advance. Technical help is available for those who need further assistance, please contact booking@berksfhs.org.uk
Date
- Wed 20 May 2026
Time
Zoom opens at 19:15- 19:30 - 21:30
Location
- Zoom Video Conference
Category
Organiser
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Computer Branch - Berkshire FHS
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Email
computerbranch@berksfhs.org.uk
Speaker
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Chad HannaChad is a highly experienced family historian, having been in and out of Record Offices since the 1970s. He has honed his understanding of family history at conferences in both the UK and the USA. Chad has a one-name study of his mother’s Failes family who arrived in England as the Fenlands were being drained in the late 17th century. He has also made some headway with his father’s Irish ancestry.
Chad has a particular interest in both probate and electoral records, and also has a deep understanding of records produced by family history societies, having worked professionally for the Federation of Family History Societies for eight years using his skills as a computer professional. He holds a BSc(Eng) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Imperial College and a City and Guilds Certificate in High Education teaching.