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From trailblazing women's history to unexpected ancestry discoveries, understand the past, one family story at a time.
Although family history is deeply personal to each of us, it's also a valued form of historical research. Together, we're illuminating the forgotten stories of the past, connecting with our ancestors and the world in which they lived.We're passionate about supporting research in all of its forms, which is why we've partnered with the Women's Prize Trust to sponsor the new prize for female writers of non-fiction. You can read more about this exciting partnership here. Of course, non-fiction…
As every genealogist knows, we’re all the product of our family’s history. But genetics aren’t the only thing that we pass down the generations. Used to identify our familial bonds, surnames link us to even our most distant ancestors. Where do our surnames come from?: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to our surnames. Naming has been done differently throughout history, and across different cultures.In England, surnames became widely used after the Norman Conquest in 1066. At this point,…
Mary Berry was born Mary Rosa Alleyne Berry on 24 March 1935. Although she legally took her husband’s surname (Hunnings), she continues to use her maiden name for her public persona. Berry was born in Bath, to mother Margaret ‘Marjorie’ Wilson (1905-2011) and father Alleyne William Stewart Berry (1904-1989). She grew up with one sibling, an older brother named Roger who died in 2015.After graduating the Bath College of Domestic Science, Mary Berry moved onto the prestigious French school Le Cordon Bleu, where she
Perhaps it’s a sibling enthralled by tales of battlefield strategy, or a friend already immersed in the labyrinthine alleys of family history. Whatever the case, this Christmas, you can give more than a gift: you can give a key to the past.With Findmypast’s treasure trove of records, your gift can spark journeys that thread through generations. Who knows what secrets, surprises, or long-lost relatives are waiting to be discovered?To help you in your hunt for the perfect Christmas…
Although Camilla has occupied a spot in the limelight for over three decades, big changes within the British monarchy have once again brought her centre-stage. With the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, her son Prince Charles acceded to the throne. The former Prince of Wales became King Charles III of the United Kingdom. This makes Camilla Queen Consort- a symbolic role designated to the wife of a reigning king. Findmypast’s team of experts has conducted research into Queen…
Upon the renewal of our long-term partnership with the British Library in 2021, we pledged along with our partners to make millions of historical newspaper pages from our newspaper collection free to view online. We're delighted to announce that over 2.4 million pages are now free to search and explore on both Findmypast and our sister site, the British Newspaper Archive. Over the next three years, this is due to be expanded to five million.Originally launched in 2011, Findmypast and the British…
Family history starts with those closest to you. Where better to get information about your shared heritage than straight from the horse's mouth? Just think, if your grandparents remember details about their great-grandparents, you've already gone back four generations. Show your family tree to your nearest and dearest to see if they can fill in any gaps.Maybe your loved one is interested in starting their own family history journey. More than just a hobby, it provides a valuable way…
As you build your family tree on Findmypast, you can benefit from research other members have done on common ancestors with a useful feature called tree-to-tree hints. These additional clues to your family history are available on all Findmypast family trees - so get growing today. Tree-to-tree hints - frequently asked questions: What is tree-to-tree hinting?: Collectively, our trees contain millions of ancestors spanning hundreds of years. We can now use them to offer you tree hints. As you add more ancestors,…
If you’re just getting started on your family history, putting a basic family tree structure in place is essential. As any genealogist knows, a tree helps to structure your research and even displays your discoveries visually.To help you with this important first step, we’ve made a downloadable blank family tree diagram. Using this, you can sketch out the first four generations of family members, dating back to your great-grandparents.Starting with yourself (or whoever you’re building a family tree…
Imagine leaving the crowded streets of a bustling city, trading the noise of factories for the wide-open fields of the countryside. As a Land Girl, you’d rise before dawn, hands blistered from wielding unfamiliar tools, back aching from hours spent ploughing, planting, and harvesting the fields. The work was relentless - digging trenches, tending crops, and feeding livestock - but every grain harvested kept the nation from going hungry. The British government established the Women’s Land Army (WLA) amidst the devastation of…