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…
Over Ireland’s history, famine and hardship has forced countless families to make heartwrenching goodbyes, as loved ones travelled overseas to chase new fortunes in foreign lands. The Irish story is one of migration and resilience. This is reflected in a fact that may surprise you: more people of Irish heritage live outside of Ireland than within it. Over 80 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry. Whether they fled the devastation of the Great Famine or sought out religious freedom overseas, your…
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…
Bitter religious conflict. Economic hardship. Land dispossession. A thriving literary and musical culture, and the endurance of strong family ties. Ireland’s history is made up of dramatic episodes and strong community spirit alike. Our Irish ancestors' lives were full of ups and downs – from the joyous baptism of a new family member to wartime deaths and looming poverty, they lived through life events, big and small. Although less than seven million people live in Ireland, more than 90 million people globally…
In the modern age of Google and Wikipedia, taking a book out of the library to find the answer to your burning questions may seem like a thing of the past. However, whilst online genealogical resources are great, sometimes a good family history book is all you need. From establishing a clear timeline and a pedigree chart to tracing female ancestors with changing surnames, all manner of tricky challenges face genealogists and family historians when they begin building the branches…
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…
Exploring the movement of your ancestors can be a particularly rewarding aspect of family history. They may have been original settlers to the New World, or war brides making a home with a soldier. No matter where they went or when, you’ll want to understand the history, law, and process they went through. The motivation for this learning may be best summarised by an author featured in this list, Valerie Knowles, who states in the introduction to Strangers at Our…
We've found some amazing things in the 1921 Census of England and Wales, there's no doubt about it. Unlike previous censuses, for the first time, the 1921 Census included a question on each individual's employer and place of work. This means that we can glean interesting occupational insights from the census returns. Learn more about the occupation codes used in the 1921 Census. From miners and transport workers to academics and writers, there is a massive array of jobs documented in this valuable…
Picture boots on cobbles, voices carrying down terraced streets, the scrape of a chair pulled up to the kitchen table as another man came in with the latest news. Word travelled fast in mining communities. By 1921, life was already on edge. The First World War had ended, but the relief never quite arrived. Work was uncertain. Prices were high. Across England and Wales, more than two million people were out of work.For families tied to the coal industry, things…