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…
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…
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:…
If you think about famous astronomers, it’sprobably Renaissance figures like Galileo and Copernicus that spring to mind. There aren’t many female figures associated with space science – let us introduce you to Catherine Octavia Stevens, or C.O.B, as she liked to be known. Catherine’s early life: Catherine Octavia Stevens was born in Berkshire on 23 January 1865. Her father Thomas Stevens (1809-1888) was the Rector of Bradfield and the founder of Bradfield College. Catherine’s family was religious on both sides. Her mother Susanna Marriott (1824-1866)
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…