Category Archives: History

Who was Richard III?

Historians and genealogists have been much excited in the last couple of weeks by the confirmation that the skeleton found underneath a car park in Leicester is that of King Richard III. But who was Richard III, why was he under a car park and what can this find tell us about this much maligned king? Continue reading

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How Did Our Ancestors Celebrate May Day?

For many of us today, it is no more than a welcome bank holiday here in the UK, but to our ancestors, May Day was an important festival welcoming the start of summer.  Given our current weather, summer feels a … Continue reading

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Titanic Crew Members – a Case Study

With the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic last weekend, there seems to be a a kind of Titanic fever here in the UK, with TV and radio dramas & documentaries, articles, pictures and blogs wherever you turn.  … Continue reading

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A Titanic Survivor

I love hearing family stories and legends.  We have a few in our own family, and although we have to treat them to a certain extent with a pinch of salt, it is always interesting to speculate about where the … Continue reading

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A Thank You to Morton, Simpson and Snow!

In case you were wondering, I have been rather absent from this blog of late.  This is due to have had major surgery to have a couple of benign cysts removed.  As I’ve never had any hospital treatment beyond the … Continue reading

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Dickensian London and More Charles Dickens Facts

Forgive me for adding to the general melee of Dickensian stuff that’s going on at the moment, but being a huge Dickens fan I have to celebrate the man’s 200th birthday which takes place on 7th February.  I have already … Continue reading

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Did Your Ancestors Support Female Suffrage?

Ahead of tonight’s episode of Find My Past, which is looking at the suffragette movement, I thought it would be interesting to have a look at the history of female suffrage, and to contemplate on ancestors who may have been … Continue reading

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A History of Poppy Day

Remembrance day – or Poppy Day – has become a day of remembrance for all who have fallen in conflict across the world, but where did it begin, what is its history and why do we use a poppy? Continue reading

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Do You Have Shakespeare Genealogy?

It is a sad fact that there are no direct living descendants of the great bard, William Shakespeare.  The direct line ended with his grandchildren, but of course there is always the possibility that anyone with the surname SHAKESPEARE (with … Continue reading

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Celebrate Our Great British Heritage and Countryside!

Valley of Rocks, North Devon Continue reading

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