Family Research – English, Scottish and Irish Genealogy

‘Our 1917 Christmas dinner was eaten in a dump near Bethlehem. It was the usual bully beef, eaten with a jack-knife, and a little drop of tea…‘for more click here

Some books convey the impression that large numbers of children were hanged for minor crimes such as theft during the 18th and 19th centuries, but the surviving records, e.g. the Ordinary’s Reports from Newgate, do not support this. However, the laws of the time did not accept the concept that children and teenagers did not know the difference between right and wrong and the age of criminal responsibility was just seven years. There was also a strong presumption against those who committed murder for gain, murder by poisoning or brutal murders, especially of their children or their superiors. Mandatory death sentences had to be passed on 7 -13 year olds convicted of felonies but equally routinely commuted. Girls were typically hanged only for the most serious crimes whereas teenage boys were executed for a wide range of felonies. for more click here

It was known as the ‘Noble Experiment’ but when prohibition came to end 80 years ago there were few who missed the dry days.

The 14-year ban on making and selling alcohol gave rise to a shady period of booze smuggling and speakeasies, where characters such as Al Capone made sure those in the know could still enjoy a drink.

The ban, which ended on December 5, 1933, also gave rise to the cocktail, as bartenders came up with new mixes to sweeten the taste of the moonshine whiskey and bathtub gin. for more click here

Edward J ‘Babe’ Heffron, whose Second World War service as a member of the Army’s famed Easy Company was recounted in the book and TV miniseries Band Of Brothers, has died, aged 90. for more click here

We’ve just published some brilliant new parish records so now it’s easier than ever to trace your ancestors’ baptisms, marriages and burials. for more click here

Occupation records reveal what kinds of people your ancestors were and how they spent their time. Trace their careers from first jobs to retirement, then go back to see how they gained their qualifications. for more click here

Employment and occupation records reveal a lot about who your ancestors were and what kind of lives they led. Are you descended from farmers, postal workers, engineers or watchmakers?

The newest addition to our employment collections illustrates just how much the world of work has changed in Britain. The Children’s Employment Report, 1842, exposed the gruelling industry of children working in trades and factories at that time – and helped lead to changes in the law. for more click here

London has acted like a magnet for generations of our ancestors. It’s very rare to find a family that doesn’t have some sort of link to the city. Our partnership with London Metropolitan Archives lets us provide you with a wealth of key records to trace your family’s capital connection. for more click here