When we picture the Industrial Revolution, we tend to imagine scorching blast furnaces, foundries worked by men, and the famous bridge stretching across Ironbridge Gorge. And yet, across places like Coalport, Broseley, and Jackfield, women spent long days in factories, workshops and family businesses. They painted delicate china by hand, packed goods for transport, made pipes, raised families and helped keep household finances afloat. Their work shaped the communities around them, yet many have largely disappeared from popular histories of…
When Findmypast’s research specialist and expert genealogist, Jen Baldwin, began tracing her 4x great‑grandfather Archibald MacKenzie, she uncovered a story rooted in two places profoundly shaped by the Great Famine: Macroom, County Cork and Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Through family history records like census returns and newspaper reports, Jen stitched together a picture of what the Famine felt like to the communities who lived through it. One town’s catastrophe became another’s transformation. This is their shared story. Before the Famine took:
Billed as a Succession-esque historical drama, Netflix’s House of Guinness dives into the saga behind one of Ireland’s most famous dynasties – the Guinness family, who founded the Guinness Brewery way back in the mid-1700s.Like a pint settled just right, the Guinness story balances bitterness and sweetness, heritage and change. But how much of this dramatic eight-episode series is grounded in fact? Were the Guinness siblings really as divided as the series suggests?Let’s delve into the records and…
There is a perception among many that Ireland has always been an entirely Roman Catholic country. Certainly, in 1961, 95% of the population of the Republic of Ireland stated they were Catholic. This connection had been consciously reinforced by the fledgling Irish Free State following independence in 1922.It was underlined by the partition that divided the country in two, leaving a rump province of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom, defined as much by its Protestant faith as by its loyalty to…
We’re all familiar with Kate Middleton and Prince William’s love story – but how much do you know about Kate’s background? Although she doesn’t have royal blood, her family has some surprising connections to the British aristocracy.Explore even more of our royal history discoveries via the History Hub. From King Charles II’s family tree to the Royals in the 1921 Census, there is so much fascinating history to explore. Kate Middleton before she was the Princess of Wales: Catherine Elizabeth Middleton…
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…
Although Camilla has occupied a spot in the limelight for over three decades, big changes within the British monarchy have once again brought her centre-stage. With the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022, her son Prince Charles acceded to the throne. The former Prince of Wales became King Charles III of the United Kingdom. This makes Camilla Queen Consort- a symbolic role designated to the wife of a reigning king. Findmypast’s team of experts has conducted research into Queen…