Service, salt, and sweat. Danger and dedication. Here, we take a look at the fascinating history of the Royal Navy's epic - and brutal - participation in the First World War.The Royal Navy, proudly known as the Senior Service, traces its lineage to the 16th century and is deeply rooted in national identity. It protected colonies, guarded coastlines and kept trade routes open. For generations, families sent their sons to sea with pride.As we follow the Navy's history during the…
Have you ever wondered what your surname says about you and your family history? Tracing the history of the surnames in your family tree is one of the most popular ways of researching your ancestors. Surnames can take you back centuries. They can evolve, shaped by culture, work, language, migration, and more. A comprehensive study by Findmypast has uncovered the evolving landscape of English surnames dating back to the time of Henry VIII, shedding light on forgotten lineages, regional dialects,…
At the start of the nineteenth century, Britain and France were locked in a deadly contest for control of Europe. Napoleon Bonaparte’s armies dominated the continent, but Britain’s command of the seas was the one thing standing between him and total power. Historical background: tensions mounting: At the start of the nineteenth century, Britain and France were locked in a deadly contest for control of Europe. Napoleon Bonaparte’s armies dominated the continent, but Britain’s command of the seas was the…
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:…
Millions of men fought against Napoleon for Britain, on land and at sea, and took part in famous battles and campaigns including the Battle of Waterloo, the Battle of Trafalgar, the Battle of Leipzig, and the Peninsular War. This beginner's guide to our Napoleonic War records will help you to determine whether your forebear was involved in these historic events. From medal rolls to navy log books, Findmypast has the records you need to unlock all manner of exciting family…
As smoke rolled across the North Sea, steel decks trembled under thunderous gunfire and thousands of sailors waited at their posts, unsure if they would see another sunrise. For many families, the Battle of Jutland is not just a chapter in British history, but the moment an ancestor's life was forever changed. With Royal Navy stories now at your fingertips, you can delve deeper and understand their experiences as never before.The 1916 Battle of Jutland was the largest naval battle…
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,…
The census is an incredible resource. It not only gives us those biographical details that help us trace our ancestors every ten years, but it gives a snapshot of the entire country. As any keen genealogist knows, it is like peeking into the windows – and the portholes – of every home and ship in the country. Back in 2018, Findmypast began the landmark project to digitise the 1921 Census of England and Wales in partnership with the National Archives. This began my keen
This week, we have significant additions to our National School Admissions Registers from the North of England, an entirely free-to-view photo collection, and a whole host of newspaper pages. Here's a rundown of everything that's new. National School Admissions Registers: If you have ancestors in Halifax, Yorkshire, then make sure to check out these new additions to our school registers.The four schools these records cover are Portland Road's Infant School between 1890-1904, Queens Road Boys Senior School 1904-1921, Queens Road Girls
The 1921 Census of England & Wales is incredibly significant material for historians, family historians and genealogists. However, it's even more than that. The 1921 Census offers researchers around the world an opportunity to explore the movement, activities and occupations of English-speaking communities worldwide.One of the best ways to use the 1921 Census to make new discoveries is by comparing it to existing materials that have been accessible for years, such as the US 1920 Census and the 1921 and 1931 Censuses of Canada. Thanks to…