All articles in Local & Family History
30th March, 2021 in Local & Family History
Stoke Newington: The dissenting history of a London parish
Stoke Newington is a small, inner-city suburb of London, lying north of the Thames, and located in the Borough of Hackney. It boasts the longest street name in London: Stoke Newington Church Street. It contains numerous old, unusual and preserved buildings, has long been a gather…
23rd March, 2021 in Entertainment, Local & Family History
10 fabulous facts about London’s Record Shops
Garth Cartwright and Quintina Valero take us on a tour around London’s Record Shops. 1. HMV – the chain of record stores that once straddled the globe – started as a single shop at 363 Oxford Street, London. Opened in 1921 by parent company His Master’s Voice to sell the 78s and…
18th March, 2021 in Local & Family History
A portrait of a mother: The story of Edward and Rebecca Dowler
As a genealogist I come across many fascinating stories and was lucky enough to be involved in some interesting pieces of research. One which always comes to mind is the story of Edward Dowler. Edward was born in Worcester in 1870 the illegitimate son of Rebecca Dowler, and like…
17th March, 2021 in Local & Family History
Falmouth
Falmouth is the town where I live. It is a good place to be with unrivalled community spirit, so if you see me wondering around with my camera it is because Falmouth has captured my heart. They say that Falmouth has the spirit of the sea but, as well as that maritime scene it is…
25th February, 2021 in Local & Family History, True Crime
Devon’s villainous vicars and religious rogues
Author Suze Gardner takes us through the hidden history of Devon’s villainous vicars and religious rogues. Joanna Southcott In the 1760’s Joanna Southcott of Gittisham became a maid. She came from a family who had once been well off, but they lost all their money. Her lowly job a…
18th February, 2021 in Local & Family History
Bristol’s 10 historical places
Standing sentinel-like over the centre of Bristol is a 215-foot-high neo-Gothic tower known as the Wills Memorial Building. It houses more than 50 rooms including a Great Hall used for ceremonial events. This is the jewel in the crown of the University of Bristol’s campus. It was…
27th January, 2021 in Local & Family History
Are statues for the birds?
Our stories will survive and be retold one day as a part of a time and place – if our futures know where and how to look. This bottom left-hand corner of these beautiful islands has never really gone in for statues – although we have a goodly number – yet we do have a vivid histo…
18th November, 2020 in Local & Family History, Society & Culture
The cobbled street: Memories of a child
The cobbled streets of Leeds were paved with gold, industrial gold, that only found its way into entrepreneurial pockets of men clad in stiff white collars, frock coats, and gold Albert watchchains draped across their plump abdomens. Shoeless street urchins, gambolled from cobble…
12th November, 2020 in Local & Family History
Dublin 4: From the Grand Canal to the Dodder
The South Dublin suburbs located between the Grand Canal and the Dodder are composed of a number of different residential districts each with its own individual character and style. Today, this area is popularly known by its postal district Dublin 4, which is located south o…
20th October, 2020 in Local & Family History, True Crime
A Swansea murder with a twist in the tale
Over the years, Swansea has only witnessed a small number of murders. Murder in the city is fortunately rare. Some of the tragic events have not been easily forgotten, though. One such is the case of the murderer who returned to haunt the scene of his crimes. Powell Street is clo…
17th September, 2020 in Local & Family History
Waterford Harbour: Tides and tales
Overlooking Waterford Harbour the Minaun rises steeply from the riverbank affording a commanding view. To the north, the rivers Barrow and Nore meet at New Ross and flow as one to meet the Suir. The Three Sister rivers drain most of the southeast of Ireland as they continue south…
9th September, 2020 in Local & Family History
Ten famous East Enders
Choosing just ten famous East Enders from the many has proved challenging, a brief glance at the rich history of London’s East End offers up a variety of individuals including an actor, footballer, musician, author, doctor, even an executioner! These people were either…