Every Family has a story to tell……….Welcome to mine
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
About Forgotten AncestorsEvery family tree holds stories lost to time — distant relatives whose lives passed quietly, leaving barely a mark, but whose experiences shaped the generations that followed. In this series, I explore the lives of those forgotten ancestors, bringing their names, stories, and voices back into the light. “History remembers only the celebrated, genealogy … Continue reading Forgotten Ancestors: Remembering Henry William Chiddicks
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
Sometimes, we discover a story, and sometimes, the story discovers us. This is one of the most remarkable examples of serendipity I’ve encountered in over thirty years of family history research. So sit back, relax, and let me tell you a story..... Being recognised amongst friends and family as the keeper of all things “old,” … Continue reading Unearthing the Past: How an Old Ledger Revealed Hidden Family Secrets
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?
Inspired by all the wonderful Genealogists on Substack, I have finally taken up the ‘Sixteen’ challenge and collated the stories of all my 'Sixteen' 2x Great-Grandparents into one convenient location. I don’t expect you to read them all, that is a big ask, but if you read just one of them, then I will be … Continue reading ‘Meet The 2x Great-Grandparents’
Killed in the Line of Duty Sapper George Lucas Service Number 7895135………. The final part in the story of the six brave men that died near Nantwich in Cheshire, trying to defuse a bomb that was dropped during WW2. This brings to a conclusion, eight months of research and many visits to the surrounding areas … Continue reading Sapper George Lucas
William Chiddicks is my 1st Cousin 4 x removed and for whatever reason, he was not one of those ancestors that I was immediately drawn to. I had his Baptism record, he was baptised on 8th March 1835 in South Fambridge, Essex, I had his marriage record, he married Mary Ann Waite Watson on 18th … Continue reading The Great Fire of Baddow
The Chiddicks Family Tree 