What’s On at Midland Ancestors –

Kenilworth: Researching & Writing the Mourning Brooch Trilogy
Wed 9th April @ 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm BST
Speaker – Jean Renwick
Jean Renwick’s talk reveals years of research behind her family saga, The Mourning Brooch, based upon the lives of real Yorkshire people who lived in the second half of the 19th and first half of the 20th century. After inheriting a mourning brooch, Jean was intrigued to know who was Elizabeth Addy, commemorated in the brooch, and what happened to the two little girls she left behind. The two novels of the trilogy so far published reveal how the sisters’ lives took them in very different directions.
Using newspaper archives, Renwick discovered scandals, adding drama to the tale, and research in England and the USA revealed much about the personalities of the characters. And the story moves to London, Lancashire, Philadelphia – even Constantinople – all based on fact. Finally, she will report on progress in writing the final part of the saga covering two world wars.
The Mourning Brooch Book One, An Ending. A Beginning covers 1839-1876 and Book Two, Moving On reaches 1913. If you want to read the books ahead of the talk, they are available as a paperback or for Kindle on Amazon. More details and images can be found on www.jeanrenwickauthor.co.uk
Group members are invited to bring to the meeting any examples of jewellery they have inherited, mourning jewellery particularly.
The books will be available for sale on the night (paperback version discounted to £10).