Bayes' in the UK
The story of this site
This isn't the first 'Bayes' in the UK' website. So, how did I start the first site and what caused it's eventual demise? Here's the story....
Beginnings....
I got my first Windows computer in the spring of 2000. I had been gathering genealogical data for a few years and now the internet gave me access to more knowledge. Initially, the International Geological Index (IGI) provided by the Church of Latter Day Saints (CLDS) was the prime source. Then, the IGI/CLDS even had their own genealogy storage and tree making program, the Personal Access File, which I used to organise and store all my data. The 1881 Census was invaluable. Using my local library, as well as the internet, I had also been finding out about my family, also a talented family of artists called Bayes and also the genealogy of the Rev. Thomas Bayes, of probability fame.
My internet provider then was Tesco, (they of the supermarket chain). Like other providers, they offered a free website allowance. I could put my own genealogy website on the web! So, initially, with some trepidation, off I went. Using all that data I had collected over the years, I started to create the pages.
I compiled them on Netscape Composer, as I recall. I had to use another program, called FTP Commando, to launch my pages on to the Tesco web space.
The pages on 'Bayes' in the UK' grew; my own family tree, and my wife's tree too. Other Bayes family pages as well; the Rev. Thomas Bayes' family and a page devoted to the Bayes artistics.
I had the pleasure of being contacted by folks who now saw these pages on the internet, e.g. distant relatives. One contact was my wife's 3rd cousin, who lived in New Zealand. (Later in 2010, a memorable antipodean holiday included this wonderful country and happily, we were able to go to visit them).
The artistic Bayes page drew E-mails from a grand-daughter of the artist Walter Bayes and she has been of great help and encouragement over the years, as well as providing many wonderful photographs.
I was also contacted by Tom Tremayne, who was then making a film about Gilbert Bayes, Walter's brother. (You can find this excellent film on YouTube). I met them both on a memorable day at the house in Maida Vale, London where the sculptor Gilbert Bayes, had lived. This was when British Heritage unveiled a commemorative Blue Plaque on the wall of this house, on 10 December 2007. I was one of many who suggested that a Blue Plaque be added to the house and so was invited to the unveiling.
So, as regard the website, all seemed to be going really well, then - catastrophe.
Tesco stopped providing free web space on the internet. About the same time, it seemed that all other internet providers did the same too. I think this must have been about 2009.
I was retired, I couldn't justify spending money on the usual website provision.
So, my website died.
Resurgam
I carried on with genealogy, (as you do, it is dangerously addictive). I joined Ancestry and the trees grew like topsy.
Until it's regrettable demise in December 2020, I was a regular reader of the Web User magazine. Sometime around 2017, I saw an interesting report in one issue that said that a company called WiX was offering a free web site creation and hosting service!
There was a limitation in the size of the site, but I reckoned it would be sufficient, as long as I reduced the digital size of the illustrations I used to a minimum.
So, as before, I set about re-creating my website.
This time, before I started, I took a look at current thinking about modern web design. The current school of thought was that good sites were now less cluttered, also lighter and brighter. I tried to take all this on board.
I found that creating pages for my new Wix site was easy and straightforward. You could arrange, align and adjust text boxes and illustrations with ease!
One aspect of the site was the ability to choose the style and size of typeface, (or fonts as they call them now). I had always used Times New Roman, but this time, I wanted something different, more open. After much experimentation, I settled on Palatino Linotype, at 22 point, (the font I'm using here). I do use other fonts, but only for headings and for boxes containing additional or supplementary information, (where I wanted some contrast in style).
In next to no time, the 'Bayes' in the UK' web site was back up and running!
I think the layout of the new site is clearer and lighter. I did try to make it more open, (with limited success). It does look a lot better than before, without the background clutter which I'm afraid I was, (all too easily), tempted to add.
Only one aspect is problematic. Making the site, I had assumed that readers would be using desktops or laptops. Now, more than ever, it is de rigueur to use tablets and smart phones to access the internet. My site does not work well using these devices. I had to put a note on each page pointing out the problem. Sadly, with my limited knowledge of website technology, I can't easily see what I can do about this, bearing in mind the type of content.
I am gladdened to find that people are now finding the new website and have contacted me and have sent me valuable information. A big thank you to them. It makes it all worth while.
So, there it is, the story of this website. I always ask people for constructive criticism of the site. It's all too easy to be blinkered, errors go un-noticed when you are the author, fresh eyes are gold dust. Your comments are most welcome.
Please note my new E Mail address, which is: