Family history doesn’t just have to be about our own relatives. Many of us research for friends, colleagues or people in our local communities, helping to bring forgotten stories back to life.Four members of the Findmypast Community made some incredible discoveries about their local war memorials. Here’s what they uncovered about these lives marked by conflict. A hidden Second World War story: Community member Patricia used to be in the Women’s Royal Air Force. She decided to research a…
Thankfully, one remarkable memorial at York Minster preserves more than 1,400 of their names. But until we look closer, they’re just names. Who were the women who died during the Great War? What are their stories? Where are the women in First World War history?: Think of a First World War memorial and you'll probably picture weathered stone in a town square or churchyard, carved with rows of men's names. Women's names are much harder to find, largely because women didn’t…
The First World War upended thousands of families. For one Surrey family, a soldier's disappearance on the battlefield slowly unravelled an entire household, scattering its children across institutions, counties and, eventually, an ocean. Nearly a century later, family history records helped stitch those pieces back together. An ordinary family: In 1911, carpenter Albert Edward Bance married Caroline Ratcliff in Surrey. Within a few years they had three children: Frances Elizabeth, Daisy Maud, and Albert Edward. The family of five never appeared…
Family history isn’t just names and dates. It’s real people, real lives, and often, unexpected truths.If you’ve ever thought about starting your family tree, or you’re thinking about returning to it, a little inspiration might be all you need.Sometimes all it takes is one record, one photograph, or even one conversation to completely transform your understanding of your family and the lives of those who came before you. “My ancestor was a survivor”: One quiet evening, Amanda was…
We analysed over 150 years’ worth of census records to uncover the astonishing lack of detail attributed to the lives of millions of women throughout history.Representing 60% of the working-age female population, many women were overlooked in census records due to a ‘broad brush’ approach. These official records often reported women’s identities based on their marital status or household duties. As a result, many broader activities and achievements were left unrecognised. One surprising example uncovered by researchers is political activist and…
Did you know that two-thirds of Britons haven’t researched an ancestor who served in the World Wars? We did the maths, and this means that a staggering 1.18 million wartime stories stand to be lost to future generations. Family history provides a way to discover and preserve the experiences of our ancestors who lived through World War 1 and World War 2. Commemorating our ancestors’ bravery shouldn’t be confined to Remembrance Day. Here at Findmypast, we’re on a mission to ensure that no…
Last year, we took a member of our community on an epic journey to trace the footsteps of her 2x great-grandmother Janet. We traced Janet’s life – from her birth in 1830 up to her life as a ship captain in Liverpool by the 1860s – and uncovered a tale of tragedy and perseverance. Watch Finding Janet.We’re back with yet another moving real-life tale. Growing up, Laura Collins knew that her great-grandfather Eli had lost an arm during the First World War.…
As World War 2 raged overseas and the devastation of the Blitz took hold at home, many women across Britain kept calm, carried on, rolled up their sleeves and stepped into men's roles. Amelia King did not expect to be prevented from joining the Women’s Land Army simply because of her skin colour, even at a time when racism was prevalent in society.While segregated African American troops stationed in Britain were largely welcomed by the public, newspapers from the time…
Winifred Lamb was an interesting character who worked in a range of fields throughout her life. She wasn't just a respected archaeologist and museum curator - during both the First and Second World Wars, she worked in intelligence for the British government and the BBC. Read on to learn more about Winifred's remarkable story. Winifred's progressive parents: Winifred was born at Holly Lodge in West London's Campden Hill on 3 November 1894. Aged 28 when she had Winifred, her mother Mabel Winkworth was a…
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Elizabeth Heyrick fought for everything from higher wages to the immediate abolition of slavery. She earned a reputation as one of the most outspoken philanthropists of the day, with her writings influencing future generations of activists.As part of our mission to rediscover the lives of women that have been lost to history, we’re sharing her story. But we need your help. Discover five inspirational yet overlooked women via our Herstory Hub. Elizabeth Heyrick’s:…