Categories
Special Offer

£100 Online Family Tree + Research

JUNE SPECIAL OFFER – Kick start your family tree research by booking this special offer! Includes 5hours of research (with a professional genealogist) and an online family tree. Enough to go back many generations. Examples: Please contact me for information & booking.

Categories
Genealogy

Surname Studies: Discover the History Behind Your Family Name

Discover how surname studies can reveal the origins, locations, spelling variations and hidden branches of your family. What does your surname tell you about your family history? When we research our family tree, we usually concentrate on our direct ancestors, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and so on. But sometimes there is another fascinating way to explore […]

Categories
Genealogy Online Resources

Life inside the Asylum

Understanding what these institutions were, and knowing where to find their records, can help you uncover an important part of your family’s story. What Was a Lunatic Asylum? A lunatic asylum was a hospital or institution established to care for people suffering from mental illness. The term “lunatic” was widely used in legal and medical […]

Categories
Genealogy

One-Place Studies

Discover how documenting every family, event, and record connected with a single village, town, or parish can reveal the hidden history of a place and the people who lived there. What Is a One-Place Study? A One-Place Study is a detailed investigation into the history of a single geographical location, whether a village, town, parish, […]

Categories
Genealogy Online Resources

Occupational Genealogy

Family history is more than names and dates. Occupations can reveal how our ancestors lived, where they travelled, and the communities they belonged to. Whether your forebears were blacksmiths, miners, lighthouse keepers, or railway workers, researching their trade can uncover fascinating details and provide valuable clues when traditional records are scarce. Why Occupations Matter in […]

Categories
Genealogy Online Resources

Discovering Your Scottish Ancestry

Scotland has a rich and fascinating history, and for many people around the world, exploring Scottish ancestry is an exciting journey into the lives of their ancestors. Whether your family came from the Highlands, the Lowlands, the islands, or one of Scotland’s historic cities, a wealth of records can help uncover your story. Begin with […]

Categories
Family connections Genealogy

The Power of Family History in Life’s Final Chapter

Genealogy is often viewed as the study of family history, names, dates, and ancestral connections. Yet for many people, especially those approaching the end of life, genealogy becomes something much deeper. It is a means of answering fundamental questions about identity and belonging. When genealogists provide long-sought answers to individuals in their final years, the […]

Categories
Online Resources tips

30 Writing Prompts for your Family History

You’ve gathered the facts, traced the dates, and uncovered the details, but now it’s time to bring it all together. With a family history book, you can add the stories that make your family come alive, creating something future generations will love. Kickstart your family history journey with my FREE PDF: 30 Writing Prompts for […]

Categories
Genealogy tips

Uncover forgotten footprints

Have you ever wondered about the people whose footsteps you’re walking in today? Genealogy and family history research give us the chance to uncover the forgotten footprints of our ancestors, those lives, struggles, and triumphs that shaped who we are but often remain untold. We explore why these overlooked stories matter, where to find them, […]

Categories
Brief History photography

Social Documentary Photographers in Focus

Photography has long played a vital role in recording social history, offering visual testimony to the experiences of ordinary people often overlooked in written records. While official histories frequently centre on governments, institutions, and elites, social documentary photographers turn their lenses towards everyday life, capturing the nuances of work, leisure, family, and community. Their images […]

Categories
Genealogy tips

Exploring Ancestral Travel

In a world where travel is more accessible than ever, and where technology brings the globe to our fingertips, ancestral heritage travel is emerging as a meaningful and deeply personal journey. Unlike the typical holiday, heritage travel is about connection: to family, to history, and to the places and stories that shaped who we are. […]

Categories
Brief History DNA

The Ainu of Japan: How Ancient DNA is Rewriting History

For centuries, the Ainu people of northern Japan were pushed to the margins,  culturally, politically and scientifically. Once nearly erased by assimilation policies, their story is now being told through one of the most powerful tools we have: their DNA. As researchers uncover more about the genetic legacy of the Ainu, it’s becoming clear that […]

Categories
DNA tips

Unexpected DNA Results: A Guide to Understanding, Healing, and Moving Forward

Discover how to cope with unexpected DNA test results. Learn healthy ways to process shocking genetic information and find support on your journey of self-discovery.

Categories
tips

Genealogy for Beginners: How to Start Your Family Tree with Free Resources

Curious about your roots? Discover the basics of genealogy and start your family tree for free with top tools.

Categories
Brief History

William Penn and Religious Freedom: Why Pennsylvania Became a Haven for Religious Refugees

Discover how William Penn’s vision of religious freedom in colonial Pennsylvania attracted diverse groups of settlers from Europe, creating one of the most tolerant and prosperous colonies in early America.

Categories
Uncategorized

Viking DNA in Scotland and Northern England: Genetic Legacy of Norse Settlers

The Viking legacy in the British Isles is often told through tales of raiding, conquest, and cultural upheaval. But while their historical footprint is etched into the annals of British history, their genetic legacy is only now being fully uncovered. Thanks to advances in genetic testing and population genomics, researchers can trace Viking ancestry in modern populations, particularly in Scotland and Northern England.

In this article, we explore how Viking DNA persists in these regions, what markers define Norse ancestry, and what recent genetic studies reveal about the Viking impact on the British gene pool.

Categories
photography

Preserving Conflict Through the Lens

Each year, as the 6 June 1944 D-Day anniversary arrives, remarkable photographs resurface, images captured by photographers who braved the front lines alongside the troops.

Categories
Brief History

The Hidden History of the Brass Ankles of South Carolina

The Brass Ankles of South Carolina are a little-known but historically significant tri-racial community with roots tracing back to the colonial era. Primarily located in the Lowcountry and Midlands of South Carolina, particularly in counties such as Dorchester, Colleton, Berkeley, and Orangeburg, the Brass Ankles were a group of people who descended from a blend […]

Categories
photography

John Topham: Capturing the Soul of 20th-Century Britain Through the Lens

John Topham’s documentary photography offers an invaluable window into 20th-century British life, capturing the essence of everyday experiences with authenticity and depth.

Categories
tips

Top Tips For Finding Birth Records

Here are some top tips to help find that elusive birth record.

Categories
Online Resources tips

Why Searching Newspapers for Obituaries Is One of the Best Ways to Find Valuable Information

When researching family history or trying to uncover details about a loved one’s life, obituaries are among the most powerful resources available.