About

Welcome to My Family History Blog

Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog site!

My name is Paul Chiddicks, and I’m delighted to welcome you to my corner of the internet, a place where I share my ongoing journey into the fascinating world of family history.

A Little About Me

I’m 61 years old, recently retired, and happily married with two grown-up children. My wife and I now call Cheshire, England, home, although I was originally born and raised in Essex. My career took me north around 25 years ago, and Cheshire has been home ever since.

How It All Began

My interest in genealogy started over thirty-five years ago, sparked by a personal quest to learn more about my father, who sadly passed away when I was just three years old. What began as a search for my roots quickly grew into a lifelong passion, one that’s taken me on a journey through generations of stories, discoveries, and the occasional mystery that still keeps me digging deeper today.

Along the way, I also developed a keen fascination with Military History, particularly the First World War. Like many families, mine includes several ancestors who served and some who tragically never returned. Their stories continue to inspire much of my research and writing.

A Familiar Name

Some of you may know me from Twitter (now X), where I post as @chiddickstree. I’m also proud to be the face behind the “Dear Paul” pages in Family Tree Magazine, where I write a regular column exploring all sorts of family history curiosities and musings.

Giving Back to the Community

I’m an active member of several Family History Societies, and I volunteer weekly with my local group here in Cheshire. I also help manage social media for the North West Kent Family History Society. Being involved in the wider genealogy community is something I truly enjoy; it’s my way of “giving something back” to this wonderful hobby that’s given me so much.

Join Me on the Journey

Through this blog, I hope to share not just my own discoveries, but also stories, tips, and reflections that might help or inspire you in your own research. I always welcome your comments, the things you enjoy, and even the things you don’t, because that’s how we all learn and grow together.

So please, sit back, relax, and join me on a journey of discovery through the lives and stories that make up my family’s past and maybe yours too.