Every Family has a story to tell……….Welcome to mine
In 1705, an Irish woman named Margorie McCall (sometimes recorded as McCat or McCool) was believed to have died suddenly from a fever and was hastily buried in Lurgan, County Armagh, a common practice at a time when contagious illness was feared, and medical understanding was limited. She was interred quickly, wrapped in her burial clothes, and laid … Continue reading Lived Once, Buried Twice
The land is silent now, peace prevails where once there was chaos. There was a time when the earth here was ripped apart by bombs and tanks, when men were torn apart by machine guns, shrapnel, bayonets and barbed wire. Today, crops and trees grow once more on soil that was once barren, a landscape … Continue reading Walking the Great War: My Journey to the Western Front
Private William Richards Crump was born in Birmingham in 1893, the youngest of two boys born to Minnie Crump. His baptism, alongside that of his older brother Francis, took place on 11 August 1894 at St James Church, Wandsworth. The brothers shared the unusual middle name Richards, which was almost certainly a quiet clue to the identity of their biological … Continue reading Before the Guns Fell Silent: The Final Days of Private Crump
The Oak Tree Remembers: A Chiddicks Family Story Through the Eyes of the Village Oak Tree I have been standing here longer. than you can remember. My roots run deeper than the graves in the churchyard, and my limbs have reached higher with every passing century. I am the old oak on the village green, … Continue reading The Tree On The Green
The people of London lay blissfully asleep in their beds, completely unaware of the chaos and devastation that was about to unfold in the early hours of the morning. On a cold and rainy January morning in 1928, disaster struck the city when the River Thames flooded with devastating effect, claiming the lives of fourteen … Continue reading The Great London Flood of 1928
History is All Around Us Everywhere we go we are surrounded by history, whether it's your family's history, the history of your house, or just local history, it's there all around us, often going unnoticed and untouched. But have you ever paused to think about the history woven into the buildings, roads, and landscapes that … Continue reading Touching The Past
Family history research is often a journey of twists, turns, and unexpected breakthroughs. But when you're dealing with a family member who was adopted and separated from the family at a young age, the search can feel even more daunting. In this post, I’ll share with you the unique circumstances that led my friend Rob, … Continue reading Separated by War – Orphaned Siblings Reunited After Decades Apart
Genealogy is an exciting journey of discovery, but it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of the chase. With the explosion of online tools and databases, anyone can start creating their family history instantly – but how many of us pause to ask: does my tree have solid roots? It’s tempting to go … Continue reading How Strong Are Your Tree’s Roots?
We all have hidden treasures tucked away in the corners of our family homes. These keepsakes passed down through generations are more than just objects—they’re pieces of history, bearing stories and memories that connect us to our ancestors and their lives. These heirlooms serve as silent but powerful reminders of where we come from, linking … Continue reading Hidden Treasures: Preserving the Stories Behind Family Heirlooms
Ever had one of those skeletons from the past come knocking at your door? Should you answer? I guarantee that every family will have secrets, some might call them 'skeletons in the cupboard' but it amounts to the same thing. Something was kept hidden from the family, for what at the time, appeared to be … Continue reading Whose Truth Is It Anyway?
The Chiddicks Family Tree 