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Ancestor's Timeline Template
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This is a working document that I add to as I find bits and pieces about my ancestors. It doesn't have to be perfect. I don't print it out because it is always being updated. The timeline helps me to:
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1) organize my research and quickly find sources
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2) ensure I have gleaned all the details from documents
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3) identify where I have gaps in my ancestor's life story
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4) see inconsistencies in data (so that I can do further research to solve it)
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5) note social history topics that I would like to research further
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6) outline my ancestor's story, with life-changing events
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Below is a sample timeline I have currently created for my great-grandfather, Peter Inkster, from birth to age 25.
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To start your own template, click on the 'Ancestor 1' tab below. Then click on the birth year box and type in the birth year of your ancestor. After you click enter, it will automatically update the following years. You can delete any boxes that occur after the year of your ancestor's death.
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To change 'Ancestor 1' to the name of your ancestor, double click on the 'Ancestor 1' tab and retype the name you would like.
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Keep the 'blank template' free of information. To add more ancestor timelines, just copy the blank template, click the + tab on the bottom, and paste into the new tab.
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The size of the boxes can be adjusted by pulling the lines down or over. If you have multiple events in a year, you can add a row by selecting the entire row below and going to 'Insert', then 'Row'. There are many basic tutorials for how to use Microsoft Excel online.
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I hope that you find this template helpful! - Karen Inkster Vance | www.kareninkstervance.com | @FamilyStoryStudio
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AgeYearEventSourceNotesLink
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0187922 August - Peter Russell Inkster. Born at 11:00 AM, at Skelberry, North Roe, Northmavine, Shetland. Son of Samuel Inkster (Fisherman) and Ann (Thomason). Informant: (signed) Samuel Inkster, present (at home when born). Registered 3 September at Ollaberry, P.H. Russell, RegistrarScotland Statutory Births 008/00 0032. Parish of Northmavine, Shetland, 1879.The Registrar was Peter Hamilton Russell, a respected man in Ollaberry. It seems likely Peter was named after him.https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_viewed_images/26036680?image&viewed_images=true
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8 August - Peter Inkster bornHeirloom: Peter Russell Inkster family bible (in his own handwriting)2004-December Heirlooms 006_ Peter Inkster Family Bible.jpg
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11880
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218813 April - 1881 Scotland Census. Samuel (47), Head, Ann (43), Christiana (16), Jemima (14), Gilbert (12), Margaret B (10), Jessie (7), Grace (5), Samuel H (3), Peter Inkster, 1, son, Skelbrae1881 Scotland Census, Northmaven, Shetland, Skelbrae. ED: 6, Household: 43, Line: 1.https://www.ancestry.ca/discoveryui-content/view/2499821:1119?ssrc=pt&tid=117908439&pid=190167733537
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Fishing disaster of 1881 - 58 men lost, father survivedPeter's diary
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418831 January - younger sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie) born
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51884Started at North Roe School, Mr. Bremner school teacherNorth Roe School Register, Shetland Archives, CO5/6/21
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Older brother, Gilbert (born 1868) left home as seaman, jumped ship at Nanaimo, BCJoan (Inkster) Richards papers
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11189015 April - Oldest brother, Will, merchant seaman, 26 years old, single, died of consumption (18 months), 11:00 a.m., at Skelberry. Scotland Statutory Deaths 008/14. Parish of Northmavine, Shetland, 1890.Informant: Samuel Inkster, father, presenthttps://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_stat_deaths/4279735?image=1&viewed_images=true
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1218915 April - 1891 Census. Samuel Inkster (58), crofter; Ann (50), Margaret (19), Teacher; Grace (15), Knitter; Samuel H (13), crofter's son; Peter R (11), scholar; Elizabeth A (8), scholar; living at Haa1891 Scotland Census, Northmaven, Shetland. ED: 6, Household 32: Line 7https://www.ancestry.ca/discoveryui-content/view/126711:1108?ssrc=pt&tid=117908439&pid=190167733537
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131892
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141893Finished school; worked on father's croftEnglebert, Renny. “The Varied Life of Peter Inkster Which Led Finally to Success in the Lumber Industry.” Forest & Mill. 1948.
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151894Worked at John Brown's fish curing plantForest & Mill Newspaper article
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16189523 Sep - Sister, Maggie, 24 years old, single, Domestic Servant, died of "Phthisis Pulmonalis (9 months), no medical attendant, 4:00 a.m., at North Roe. Scotland Statutory Deaths 008/25. Parish of Northmavine, Shetland, 1895. Informant: Peter R Inkster, Brother, Presenthttps://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/view-image/nrs_stat_deaths/4818453?image=1&viewed_images=true
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171896
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181897Moved to Edinburgh to join sisters, found work at North British Rubber CompanyLetter of ReferenceLook up: Other Shetlanders working there
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191898Embarked as seaman on South Africa; sailed to Cape Town; 19th birthday on Table Mountain; discharged at Hamburg
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201899Returned to Edinburgh, worked as bottler in a mineral water factory
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211900
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22190131 March - 1901 Scotland Census. Peter R Inkster (21), Lodger, 19 Drumdryan St, Edinburgh. Occupation: RubberworkerJoann Bruce (51), Head, born in Unsthttps://www.ancestry.ca/discoveryui-content/view/2524151:1101
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24 August - Embarked at Glasgow; 2 September - Arrived at Montreal from Glasgow aboard the Sarmatian, then train bound for Nanaimo, BC. Peter Inkster, 22, FarmerCanada, Arriving Passengers Lists, 1865-1935. Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Series: RG 76-C; Roll: T-480. Retrieved from Ancestry.comhttps://www.ancestry.ca/imageviewer/collections/1263/images/IMCANQC1865_T480-00230?pId=5580863
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Worked at Nanaimo coal mine, timbering and taking coal from diggers
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231902
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2519047 March - Obtained British Columbia Certificate of Competency, Coal Mines Regulation Act. This Certificate of Competency, granted under the provisions of the "Coal Mines Regulation Act Amendment Act, 1901," entitles the holder thereof, "Peter Inkster of Cumberland" to follow the occupation of a Coal Miner in any coal mine in the Province of British Columbia. Granted, after examination, by the Board of Examiners of the Comox Mine, this 7 day of March, A.D. 1904. By authority of the Board. John (Kesley?), Secretary.Original document in Peter Inkster binder, digital image in Photos.The "Coal Mines Regulation Act" Amendment of 1901 can be found online at: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/hstats/hstats/1525999885
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12 March - Worked at Cumberland coal mine; injured in a fall of coal (four fractures in leg). "Mr. Inkster was brought in from No. 4 Saturday with a broken leg having been struck by a piece of coal from a shot."The Cumberland News, Tuesday, March 15, 1904, page 1, "Local and Personal".https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcnewspapers/xcumberland/items/1.0176805#p0z-4r0f:Inkster
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14 May - Article: "Regret was expressed by all at the unfortunate accident which had befallen Mr Peter Inkster, who had so often enlivened former gatherings with his fiddle, and all hoped that next time they met he would be well enough to attend, and quicken their pulses with some Shetland ''springs'." ... "We are glad to learn lately that Mr Peter Inkster, referred to above, who had the misfortune to break his leg a week or two ago, is progressing favourably, and will soon be quite well again." [Article is about James Teit and new wife on honeymoon; gathering at Nanaimo; Gilbert Inkster was there]Shetland Times, Saturday, 14 May 1904, page 5, "Visit to Nanaimo".https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000666/19040514/138/0005
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“One wonders how some of us, or our legs, survived the pioneer days before x-ray came on the scene. In 1903 or 1904, I was employed in a coal mine on Vancouver Island and—not an uncommon occurrence—got caught in a fall of coal, badly breaking the right leg. By the time I got out of the mine and to the hospital, several hours had elapsed and heavy swelling had developed. No one could help that, and there is no criticism of the doctor in that, in the process of setting the bone, the fracture in the tibia—the small bone of the leg—was not discovered at all. The x-ray machines at this time were slowly making their appearance, but had not got as far as Cumberland. Imagine my disappointment to discover, when the plaster cast was removed, that the fractured tibia (an endwise break) was sticking out at the point almost through the skin. The three fractures in the fibula—or large bone—had been properly set and had healed nicely. I did not know what to do and, as the doctor did not appear unduly concerned, I just did not do anything about it. The swelling gradually subsided and the bone set itself in some manner or other and has been doing duty for me now for the past forty-five years. So we think that nature, on some occasions at least, can get one out of some awkward predicaments. At any rate, I still have two good legs and can walk and dance with the best of them, and intend to do just that for many years to come.” Peter Russell Inkster Journal, 1948, 145-146.
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"A lady sang very beautifully that fine old song 'Juanita'. This brought memories trooping back to me with a vengeance. How well I remember four of us practising this as a quartet to be sung at the Firemen's Ball in Cumberland, B.C. in the winter of 1903-04. And how I remember a few days prior to the event being caught in a fall of coal while working in the local mine, getting my right leg fractured in four places, being carried to the hospital and spending eight weeks there..."Peter Russell Inkster Journal, 1948, 346.
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