A few days in Warwickshire took us through the villages and churches of my Clarke, Boneham, Lines and Checkley ancestors, with one unexpected discovery at Stretton-on-Dunsmore that made the whole trip worthwhile.
A few days in Warwickshire took us through the villages and churches of my Clarke, Boneham, Lines and Checkley ancestors, with one unexpected discovery at Stretton-on-Dunsmore that made the whole trip worthwhile.
A Prees parish burial register reveals rather more than the usual name and date for my 6th great-granduncle, Joseph Dickin. In 1792, the clerk recorded exactly how he died: “Fell from his horse when drunk.”
We've made a few changes to Eye On The Past recently. Find out what's new and catch up on two recent posts you may have missed.
Discover why Maelor Saesneg confuses even experienced family historians, and how changing counties, dioceses and registration districts can hide your ancestors' records.
The 1939 Register is one of the most valuable resources available to family historians. Discover what information it contains, why some records remain closed and how it can help bridge the gap between the 1921 and 1951 censuses.
A thirteen-year-old boy in the 1881 census appears in the Oswestry workhouse at Morda, while his siblings were placed elsewhere. His story, and a visit to Llanfyllin, reveal how close this history really is.
Census records offer one of the richest windows into the lives of our ancestors. Taken every ten years, they reveal households, occupations, and changing family lives across generations. This article explores what the UK censuses from 1841 to 1921 can tell us, and how a single return can help bring family history to life.
A practical introduction to family history research, focused on taking the first step, where to begin, and how to start building your family story step by step.
A reflective post about the role AI tools can play in family history research. Used thoughtfully, they can help us plan next steps, explore historical context, organise notes, and shape family stories. They don’t replace original records or careful research — but they can offer guidance, inspiration, and a fresh way of thinking along the research journey.
When researching family history, you sometimes come across surprises that make you stop and double-check the records. One such moment came when I realized that a couple in my family tree—John Lee (1805–1853) and Margaret Maddocks (1804–1883)—were not just husband and wife, but also first cousins. This discovery was one of those classic genealogy research […]
