Articles by Findmypast

The number and frequency of sailings from the British Isles to the USA at the end of the 19th century and in the years running up to World War 1 show how lucrative the transatlantic passenger trade must have been in the era before air travel. This period of history was during a time of relatively easy immigration into the United States, with the exception of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, there were no quotas or restrictions imposed.Reasons for emigrating

With service dating back to 1650, the Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army and can trace its history back to the English Civil War. The regiment has earned 117 battle honours and reading through these is rather like looking at a who’s who (or perhaps, “where’s where”) of British battles. Coldstream Guards battle honoursThe full list of Coldstream Guard Battle of Honours is as follows:17th to 19th centuriesTangier 1680Namur 1695Gibraltar 1704-1705OudenardeMalplaquetDettingen

As bombs rained overhead, mothers sheltered with their children, holding them tight and praying for an end to the war. Life went on, as daily destruction became the new normal. Amidst the devastation of the Second World War, the Home Guard were tasked with keeping the population safe.  From patrolling the coastline to guarding factories and guarding unexploded bombs, the Home Guard’s many tasks were varied and often dangerous. While men fought overseas, thousands of men and women stepped up

This uplifting family story was shared by Findmypast Community member Patricia Barry Coleman. Her father, Thomas Barry was in London on Victory in Europe Day, 8 May 1945. Known today as VE Day, Victory in Europe Day celebrates the anniversary of Germany's unconditional surrender. It marked the defeat of Adolf Hitler's army by the Allied powers and the official end of World War 2 on the Eastern Front. In a historic speech, US President Truman announced that 'the forces of Germany have surrendered

Millions of working-class people moved into Britain’s booming industrial cities during the 19th century. With this influx, slum areas expanded rapidly, becoming tense, overcrowded melting pots where different social, religious, ethnic and political groups were forced to fight for their place in a new community.These tensions gave rise to notorious gangs who realised that a life of crime was much easier, more profitable and had higher chances of success with the help of like-minded people. In Birmingham, one of

Can you name all eight of your great-grandparents? Do you know what they did for a living? How about where they lived? Recent research has revealed that over five million of us know nothing about our great-grandparents. Although most people know a lot about their grandparents, just 10% of Brits know basic details about their great-grandparents, such as their names, birthplaces, and occupations. News of this generational knowledge gap is worrying - it reminds us of the importance of researching and preserving

In 1938, the members of the League of Nations agreed unanimously that, in the event of a general war, they would not bomb civilians. In the same year, the government began investing heavily in air raid precautions and considering shelter designs, just in case the agreement signed did not hold under the pressure of a total war with Germany. Just two years later, Britain was subjected to continuous nightly bombing raids by the Luftwaffe for over a month in a campaign

Emily Davison, the suffragette who died in 1913 after throwing herself in front of the King's horse at the Epsom Derby, is famously said to have secreted herself in the House of Commons at the time of the 1911 Census in order to have herself enumerated within Westminster.We have discovered the actual historical documents that prove this is the case and will perhaps throw some more light on this key moment in parliamentary history. The event is considered to be such

At Findmypast, we want to connect you with your family's amazing story. And with millions of online family records, an easy-to-use family tree builder and help at hand along the way, we'll be introducing you to unknown relatives in no time.Family history guru, Estelle Calfe is here to show you how she traced her ancestors all the way back to 1911 in just five simple steps. Follow Estelle's lead and you can too.What is really important is that you

Running away to sea sounds like a romantic fantasy nowadays, but since the early 16 century, Her Majesty's Naval Service has been a means for adventure-seeking boys and men to see the world in a way which would otherwise have been impossible. Boys as young as 15 could join the navy, meaning that they could serve king and country several years before they might have been allowed in to the army. The Senior ServiceThe Royal Marines was subsequently founded in 1755, and