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From trailblazing women's history to unexpected ancestry discoveries, understand the past, one family story at a time.
Reverend David Railton first proposed the idea of having a single grave to represent the many unidentified British casualties of the First World War. While serving as an army chaplain on the Western Front he had seen a war grave with the simple epitaph;“An Unknown British Soldier”In 1920, Railton wrote to the Dean of Westminster suggesting that an unidentified British soldier be buried amongst the kings at Westminster Abbey. His idea was met with resounding support from Prime Minister…
We've released three new record collections this week. Two cover monumental inscriptions for Germany and Czechia, and the third will help you delve deeper into the 1921 Census. Plus, peruse every edition of Jackie, the go-to magazine for teenage girls for three decades. Czechia, Commonwealth War Graves and Monumental Inscriptions: Explore this collection to learn more about your military ancestors buried in the Czech Republic. Did your ancestor serve bravely as a trooper in the Royal Armoured Corps or as a…
Discover the stars and stories of telly's golden era and relive your favourite childhood memories with iconic television listings magazine TV Times, the latest addition to our ever-expanding newspaper archive. The most comprehensive digital archive of TV Times from 1955 to 1980 is now fully searchable online on Findmypast and our sister site, the British Newspaper Archive. We'll add issues from 1981 to 2009 in due course, extending this unique insight into British history and culture into the 21st century. TV Times joins Findmypast…
First aiders became the backbone of civilian defence during World War 2 in Britain, providing immediate medical care and comfort to those in need. Their contribution was not just a matter of duty but an embodiment of resilience and compassion during a crisis.How did these everyday heroes transform into the lifeline of their communities during one of Britain's darkest hours? The role of British first aid posts in the Second World War: As bombs rained down on cities, first aid…
Background warriors on the home front. Thousands of men and women volunteered to keep Britain's home fires burning as part of the Special Constabulary during World War 2. With their distinctive uniforms and steadfast dedication, they became the backbone of civilian safety during wartime. But what exactly did special constables do, and why have their stories been overshadowed by the more celebrated tales of bravery?As bombs rained down on cities and towns, Britain faced unprecedented challenges in maintaining law and…
Intense fear and uncertainty at every turn. The threat of aerial bombardment looming large. Entire cities steeped in darkness and gas masks fast becoming the must-have accessory. The dangers of wartime Britain prompted a series of measures known as Air Raid Precautions. These efforts transformed everyday life, testing the nation's collective resilience and ingenuity like never before. But what exactly were Air Raid Precautions in Britain during the Second World War? The start of Second World War Air Raid Precautions:…
Any experienced family historian knows how helpful an obscure name can be. We'll get only a few records when searching for rare surnames like Farah or Clutterbuck, whereas a search for John Smith will return hundreds of thousands of records (around 450,000, to be more exact). Middle names can help to narrow down broad search results - for example, there are only seven John Smiths in our collection with the middle name Pepper. But what about double-barrelled surnames? The trickiness of double-barrelled:…
Delving into our family history is a journey that connects us to our roots, allowing us to understand the stories and experiences that have shaped our identity. In the digital age, technology plays a pivotal role in aiding researchers, and one tool that's gaining prominence is ChatGPT. In this blog post, we'll explore what ChatGPT is, its limitations, and how it can be a valuable asset in the realm of family history research. What is ChatGPT?: ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art…
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…
Our favourite family history show Who Do You Think You Are? recently returned to our TV screens for its 20th series. Nine famous faces delved into their family's past - read on to learn more about what they discovered.After series 19 revealed the ancestry of Sue Perkins, Matt Lucas, Ralf Little, Richard Osman, and Anna Maxwell Martin, another batch of celebrities unearthed fascinating stories about the lives of their ancestors. Where can you watch Who Do You Think You Are?: As…