Changes to GoogleGroups and our impending loss of Pages and Files

(The following sets out the main reason for my having abandoned the old Powditch GoogleGroup, and first of all going to Blogger, before then coming to WordPress).

I have only just discovered that it is Google’s intention, with effect
from this November (2010) to remove both the Pages and Files sections from all GoogleGroups.

Whilst I can understand the reasoning behind their logic, by the same
token the denial of this Group to have either “Pages”  and/or Files
(where images uploaded by members of this Group, reside) is rather
disappointing.

In view of the above (and due to Google’s actions  -  a copy of what
they wrote being as follows)  I will be moving the contents of the
Pages and their respective files/images to the Powditch main website,
and will retain them there until such time as an alternative to Pages
and Files can be found (Please note, for the moment, the topics of
Discussions will remain on this Google Group – now removed).

Google’s communication reads as follows;-

“Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Notice about Pages and Files

To focus on improving the core functionality of Google Groups –
mailing lists and forum discussions — we have decided to stop
supporting the pages and files features. Even though we know
discontinuing these features may inconvenience some of you in the
short term, we believe that this move will improve your experience
storing and sharing files as other products, such as Google Docs and
Google Sites, are designed specifically for file storage and page
creation.

For example, you can create your pages on Google Sites and share the
site with the members of your group. You can also store your files on
the site by attaching files to pages on the site. If you’re just
looking for a place to upload files so that your group members can
download them, we suggest you try using Google Docs. You can upload files and share access with either a group or an individual, assigning either edit or download only access to the files.

Starting in November 2010, Groups will no longer allow the creation or editing of files and pages; the content will only be available for
viewing, and only existing files will be able to be downloaded. If you
would like to keep the content currently on the pages and files
sections of your group, we highly encourage you to export and migrate it to another product. In February 2011, we will turn off the pages and files features, and you will no longer be able to access that
content.

To make this move easier for you, we have enabled zip-download
functionality to export all the pages and files from your group
easily. You can access this tool by clicking “Download all pages” and
“Download all files” feature on the pages and files homepages of your
groups.

Thanks for taking the time to read this announcement and for using
Google Groups.

The Google Groups Team”

Many thanks for continuing to be a member of the Powditch Family
History Group, and let’s hope that the above changes won’t greatly
affect the Group.

All the best for now,

Welcome to Jasmine Davey

(N.B. The following message originally appeared on the now-defunct GoogleGroup, “Powditch Family History“, where it was included within the  “Discussions” section on 20 April 2009 at 12:38pm.  The message was then added (c2010) to ‘Blogger’ http://powditchfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/) although as WordPress is now my Blog of choice, I have re-transferred the same post here.

“Hi Jasmine, and welcome to the Powditch Family History Blog.

I remember your parents, Raymond Urban Powditch and Margaret Beryl nee Domaille very well, indeed, I visited them at their house when your Uncle Rex and Aunt Ursula were there, together with your Aunt Dorothy who had come over from the States for a visit.

Although I know that your parents as well as Rex and Ursula, are deceased, I haven’t heard from Dorothy’s side of the family for several years, so perhaps you could let me know whether she’s still alive?  I seem to recollect that your Dad died around the time of our first Powditch Family Gathering (September 2004).

Congratulations on your having researched your family back to the 1600′s. As you say, many of them were indeed lighthouse keepers, and besides their having been at Usk (as you mentioned) there were also connections with Les Hanois (C.I.), Hartland (Devon), Spurn Head (Lincs) and Ipswich way (Suffolk).  There was also mention of another place (my memory’s not too good at the moment!) which could have been either in Scotland or Australia!

Have you seen my (1989) book “Peerless Powditch’s”, Vol.3, ‘Norfolk Vacated’ ?  Your Dad and Mum had a copy after it was published, and if you haven’t seen it, then it may be that your brother has the book.Having said that, the same volume is actually on my website (http://www.powditch.plus.com/) whilst Chapter 12 relates to your branch of the family Your Dad first appearing on page 185 of that Chapter)  -   all of which can be seen and read at the following link;- http://www.powditch.plus.com/PeerlessPowditch/chapter_12.htm

I was most interested to hear that you and your husband have been to West Usk lighthouse (that’s more than I’ve done!) where my great-great- grandad (Wells Kendle Powditch) was Assistant Keeper for Trinity House (again, the same Chapter 12 gives a good history of WKP’s lighthouse placements from page 177 onwards, which you hopefully will find interesting).

I must admit that although I do have several photos of WKP, I don’t think that I have one of the one you mention of him taken with his son at Usk in 1879, and if possible, I would like to see a copy.

Something I haven’t mentioned is that I do have lots of information relating to not only the Powditch family, but also the Stevens/ Stephens family, and that information is held here in my vast Powditch archive, so if you want to know something which isn’t already on my website, please do ask.  I also have contacts (descendants) who have provided info’ to me of their Stevens / Stephens ancestry, so again if I can help……..!

Right then, I’m off to bed (it’s just gone midnight) but before I do, may I say how thrilled I am that you have applied to become a member of the Powditch Family History blog and I look forward to any input you wish to add.

All the best for now,”

2008 Powditch Family Gathering (mini-version)

Well, I suppose that it wasn’t really a proper Powditch Family Gathering, at least not in the sense of the 2004 or 2006 gatherings, but on the other hand it was a coming together of those descended from the Cardiff (South Wales) branch of the family.

Margy Powditch (from Bucks) together with her daughter Drena, Drena’s daughter Jenna, and Margy’s niece, Penny, had all come down to Gower to stay in the area for a week’s holiday, and to come and see us (catch up on all the news, see the area etc).

Whilst they were staying locally (just down the road from us), Shirley (Ang’s sister) and Ang thought that it would be nice for a few other family members from South Wales to all meet up on Wednesday (9 September 2008), so it was all arranged by them, and on that day, our front room was graced with 12 Powditch’s or Powditch descendants!

Present were Margy Powditch (Hedgerley), Drena Welch (Farnham Royal), Jenna Powell (Farnham Royal), Penny King (Warboys), Pamela Powditch (Cardiff), Marjorie Powditch (Cardiff), Hazel Powditch (Kilgetty), Alan Powditch (Kilgetty), Shirley Smith (Gower), Carole Smith (Gower), Angela Algar (Gower) and John C Algar (Gower), and our two grandchildren joined the throng later in the afternoon, meeting all their extended family!