Daisy Goddard

When we explore the history books of the First and Second World Wars, we read about the great battles, the brave soldiers, and the pivotal moments. It's the same at school. But behind the scenes, keeping the home fires burning, were skilled, dedicated women who stepped up to fill men's traditional shoes.Here, we delve into the work – both paid and voluntary – undertaken by the British women of the Second World War. Joining the war effort on the home front:

In 1914, Britain was the only European power without a conscripted army. Manpower could sway the outcome of the war, so there was no issue more pressing than that of military recruitment. This is where Pals battalions came into play, changing the course of the war and the communities they left behind. What were Pals battalions?: The idea came from General Sir Henry Rawlinson, who believed that men would be more likely to enlist if they could serve alongside their friends.

We're diving into all-things Suffolk this week, with 575,174 new parish burial, marriage and burial records spanning over 100 years. From Lowestoft to Lavenham, these additions can help you to trace the milestones of your ancestors' lives in vivid detail. Discover where they were baptised, who they married, and even what is inscribed on their grave. We also added five new titles to our newspaper archive this week. Suffolk Baptisms: This week's biggest update consists of 354,307 new Suffolk baptism records from the

This week, we're delighted to announce that we've added over 1.3 million records from the island of Guernsey. From parish baptisms to civil deaths, censuses and land records, these additions offer a vivid insight into the lives of Guernsey's people from the 16th century to the present day. We've also bolstered our newspaper archive with three new Channel Island titles. There are so many fascinating stories to uncover. Guernsey Parish records: Key to unlocking the Guernsey branches of your family tree,

During the darkest days of the Second World War, as sirens wailed and the drone of enemy bombers filled the night sky, brave volunteers stood on the frontline of civil defence.  Armed not with rifles, but with whistles, helmets, and torches, Britain’s air raid wardens were charged with protecting their fellow citizens from relentless bombing attacks. Acting decisively, they enforced blackout regulations, performed first aid and guided people to safety during air raids. By 1941, over 1.4 million men and women had

Amidst the deafening roar of bombs, the wail of air raid sirens rang out through the night. Fires erupted across Britain's cities, turning well-trodden streets into dangerous infernos. While soldiers fought on distant battlefields, another group of heroes waged a war of their very own - a mission to protect civilians from German attacks on the home front. These unsung heroes belonged to the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS). Battling smoke and exhaustion, they put out fires in streets that had been