Andy RobsonMay 23 minFamily History ResearchThe Independent Order of Odd-fellowsDuring some recent family history research I came across an individual who was an 'Odd-Fellow'. If you've not encountered this fraternal...
Andy RobsonApr 45 minDNAMaking Sense OF DNA MatchingYour DNA matches can be an incredible tool to help you make new discoveries about your family history, break down genealogy brick walls,...
Deborah IsmayMar 212 minFamily History Researchlivestory - cool or creepy?A year ago MyHeritage took the genealogy world by storm with their new feature to animate photographs - Deep Nostalgia. Now they've...
Deborah IsmayMar 78 minFamily History ResearchWinter's DayFamily stories are one element of family history that really create a strong connection with the past. If you’re lucky, then tales will...
Andy RobsonFeb 72 minFamily History ResearchWhat's in a title (deed)?The centralised Land Registry was established in 1862 to record who-owned-what in England and Wales. However, from the outset all the...
Andy RobsonJan 105 minMilitaryThe Loss of HMS GraftonHMS Grafton was one of the ships that helped to save an army but paid the ultimate price. HMS GRAFTON was a G-class Destroyer - the...
Deborah IsmayDec 20, 20214 minFamily History ResearchChristmas time (1950)Was Christmas so very different back in 1950? I hope you enjoy reading these memories of a Christmas many years ago, written by my...
Andy RobsonDec 6, 20216 minFamily History ResearchA Brief History of Policing in England and WalesFrom the Middle-Ages, responsibility for maintaining order and upholding the law in a County lay with the Justice of the Peace (JP)....
Andy RobsonNov 22, 20216 minFamily History ResearchThe Workhouse and the Relief of the Poor in England and WalesWhen researching family history it is, sadly, quite common to find out that some of your ancestors spent time in the workhouse. Read on...
Deborah IsmayNov 8, 20219 minFamily History ResearchA War Hero in the FamilyI grew up knowing that my Great, Great Uncle, Tommy Watson, who died in 1918, had been a war hero. He enlisted in the Royal Navy just a...
Andy RobsonOct 25, 20214 minFamily History ResearchWas your ancestor a Tailor?Traditionally ‘Tailors’ – from the French ‘Tailler’, to Cut - were highly skilled workers who produced ‘made-to-measure’ clothing for the...
Andy RobsonOct 11, 20213 minFamily History ResearchWW1 - The Call-up and Reserved OccupationsAs Family Historians you'll no doubt have researched ancestors who served in WW1. You may also come across people in your family tree who...
Andy RobsonSep 27, 20213 minFamily History ResearchThe Haswell Pit Disaster of 1844It is difficult to say exactly how many men, women and children were killed or maimed in British coal mines, but the better documented...
Andy RobsonSep 13, 20215 minMilitaryWho do you think you are kidding, Mr Hitler? The Home GuardVarious schemes were proposed following the outbreak of war with Germany in September,1939 which were aimed at mobilising those men who...
Andy RobsonAug 30, 20213 minFamily History ResearchIndustrial Schools for 'Naughty Children'Family History Researchers may come across ancestors who were recorded in Census returns as residing in Industrial Schools. You may...
Deborah IsmayAug 16, 20212 minPhotographyHow Good is the Myheritage Photo Repair Tool?At the end of February 2021 MyHeritage wowed us all with their new feature to animate photographs - Deep nostalgia. At the click of a...
Andy RobsonAug 2, 20213 minFamily History ResearchWhy did so many of our Ancestors die from TB?As family historians we all too frequently come across death certificates showing 'pulmonary tuberculosis' as the cause of death. But...
Andy RobsonJul 19, 20213 minFamily History ResearchOperation Pied Piper - The Evacuation of Britain's ChildrenI'm working on a family history at present where one of my client's ancestors was evacuated as a child during World War 2. This reminded...
Andy RobsonJul 5, 20213 minDNADNA of Kings? – Why you may not inherit the DNA of your Ancestors.Many of us will have watched the episode of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ where actor Danny Dyer discovers, to his and our astonishment,...
Andy RobsonJun 7, 20217 minFamily History ResearchIrregular Border Marriages - Lamberton TollLamberton Toll in the 1890s Although much has been written about the Irregular Border Marriages at Gretna Green, there were also many...