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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 1h

The original Hampden Park site in Glasgow where Scotland played England in 1872 has been advertised for let. BBC News - Original Hampden park site advertised for let www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Original Hampden park advertised for let

The site of the original Hampden Park - considered the first international football ground - has been advertised for let.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 1h

Normandy veteran, Henry Rice who was aboard HMS Eastway & survived a near miss when a torpedo was fired at the boat has died aged 100. Thank you for your brave service. 👇 BBC News - Normandy veteran Henry Rice dies aged 100 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Normandy veteran Henry Rice dies aged 100

Henry Rice, from Cranleigh, Surrey, was a signalman who served off Normandy in the days after D-Day.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

The latest ancestral regions update has arrived from Ancestry. The green part from Dorset to Norfolk & the southeast replicates my own research.

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Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳

Nic or Treat!🎃 @cdnlady1.bsky.social · 4h

Another #AncestryDNA update. This one breaks out Irish regions, which is good. But they keep calling my teeny bit of Polish DNA (via my western Ukrainian roots)”Slovakian”. And they still can’t figure out British Anglo-Saxon DNA, this time calling it “Belgian”.🤷🏼‍♀️ #Genealogy

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 6h

HMV are now leaving the premises at 363 Oxford Street, London. BBC News - HMV to close Oxford Street store after three years www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

HMV to close Oxford Street store after three years

HMV says it is looking for a new site in London's West End, but its current site is "unviable".

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Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳

Friends of Friendless Churches @friendlesschurches.bsky.social · 11h

The first building to come into our care and one of the most recently repaired, the tower of Old St Matthew's, Lightcliffe will be open for visitors this Sunday. 1/7

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Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳

Kate North @curatorkate.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The totally stunning ceiling in the (equally stunning room) in Bishop West’s Chantry Chapel, Ely Cathedral 😍 The detail and surviving colours are amazing! West was chaplain to Henry VII and a diplomatic envoy to Henry VIII.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

🧵NEW BLOG Edmund Murray 20 St. John's Square Here is the eighth & latest blog from the St John's Square, Wakefield #OnePlaceStudy which is about the life of corn merchant, Edmund Murray who lived at 20 St. John's Square in the late 1880's & early 1890's. www.ancestralenquiries.co.uk/post/one-pla...

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Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳

Janice Heppenstall @janiceheppenstall.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

In my latest blogpost I explore the gap between the elegant Huguenot community of the late 16th and 17th centuries and the poverty & deprivation of the area that would be home for thousands of Jews fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe by the late 19th century. englishancestors.blog/2026/10/11/t...

englishancestors.blog

Time Travelling in Spitalfields: the decline into poverty

My last post was about the Huguenots in Spitalfields in London’s East End. My intention was to move straight from that to the late nineteenth century and the Jewish migration when I know, fro…

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11h

Plans underway to regenerate Colman's former mustard factory in Norwich. 👇 BBC News - Norwich Colman's mustard factory revamp could unlock city's past - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Norwich Colman's mustard factory revamp could unlock city's past

A proposed revamp of Norwich's Carrow Works could bring medieval ruins back into the spotlight.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11h

Sheffield's Niche nightclub which originally opened in 1992 & was famous in club culture to return. 👇 BBC News - Sheffield's Niche club to return to city dancefloors - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Sheffield's Niche club to return to city dancefloors

Niche, which opened on Sidney Street in 1992, is credited with the birth of 'bassline' music.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11h

researching a Polish/German lady who was living at nearby Boro Court (Wyfold Court), which was a hospital, who got married at nearby Rotherfield Peppard.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11h

🧵A blue plaque has been unveiled at the Black Horse pub in Checkendon, Oxfordshire in memory of Polish soldiers who lived after WW2, unable to return. Interestingly a few years ago I was 👇 BBC News - Polish ambassador joins WW2 plaque unveiling in Checkendon - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Polish ambassador joins WW2 plaque unveiling in Checkendon

The Polish ambassador said the "hospitality and solidarity" shown here needed to be remembered today.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 23h

A plaque at Paddington station, London acknowledging the contribution of the Windrush Generation who left the Caribbean & arrived here from 1948.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

🧵22 Lancaster Gate, London the former headquarters of the Football Association from 1929-1971. They then moved from here to 15-17 Lancaster Gate from 1971 to 2000. These beautiful grand terraced properties at 10-22 Lancaster Gate date from 1865 & were designed by John Johnson. Built with 4 storeys,

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Huddersfield & District Family History Society @huddsfhs.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Less than two weeks to go for the big event of our year, we cannot wait to meet our exhibitors and visitors on Saturday 24 October at the Masonic Hall in Huddersfield. For more information about our exhibitors and the three family/local history themed talks, look here: hdfhs.org.uk/the-family-h...

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Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳

Tegwen Roberts @industrialteg.bsky.social · 23h

Had the pleasure of singing in the Common Room of the Mining Institute in Newcastle this weekend. What a stunning building! Took a few minutes to lie on the floor and just stare at the ceiling 😍 #Victorian #Architecture #Newcastle

View of a highly decorative ceiling taken from directly below. The central part of the ceiling is glazed and blue sky is visible through the glass.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 23h

Yes, he was. Ringtons is based in Newcastle. I get a delivery of tea from them every 4 to 6 weeks when the guy drives around in his little van.

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Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳

Larry the Cat @number10cat.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Chicks dig the scar

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 23h

A plaque at Paddington station, London acknowledging the contribution of the Windrush Generation who left the Caribbean & arrived here from 1948.

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Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳

Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

🧵The Church of St. Saviour, Richmond Hill, Leeds, an Anglican church from 1842-45 designed by John Macduff Derick in Gothic Revival style. Built from dressed stone & ashlar dressings. Macduff was from County Sligo, Ireland, practised at Oxford & was a friend of Sir John Soane & friend of AWN Pugin.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

was born in Leeds. It was Grade 1 listed in 1963.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The church was originally to be called Holy Cross but the Bishop of Ripon refused stating it equated to Roman Catholic symbolism. The church was restored by GE Street, 1866-67 & GF Bodley, 1889-90. The tower was added in 1937 & was said to be funded by Samuel Smith, the founder of Ringtons Tea who

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

originating at the University of Oxford to revive Catholic practices & beliefs. It was the first Tractarian experiment outside London. Thirdly, this was a poor area of Leeds known as 'The Bank'. The tall spire & pinnacles along the eaves were not built & some of the carving was not finished.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The church was the project of Edward Bouverie Pusey, Regius Professor of Hebrew at the University of Oxford. The objectives of building the church were as a memorial to Pusey's wife & two of his daughters, Secondly, to establish Tractarian principles in a parish church setting. This was a movement

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

attic, balustrades, basement, Doric porches & slate mansard roof, each house was 3 windows wide. The Costs Rican embassy had been at No. 14. Most are now private residences. They were Grade 2 listed in 1970.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The story of Margaret Horton who clung to the tail of a Spitfire in WW2 when the pilot went to take off from RAF Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire & forgot she was there. 👇 BBC News - Woman who clung to Spitfire during Second World War remembered - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Woman who clung to Spitfire during Second World War remembered

Margaret Horton's story is being kept alive by North Lincolnshire Heritage Centre.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

A hidden labyrinth with 11 circuits & 1,500 glazed tiles uncovered at Grade 2 listed St. Mary's church, Itchen Stoke, Hampshire. 👇 BBC News - Itchen Stoke church seeks help to crack 'Da Vinci Code' labyrinth - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Itchen Stoke church seeks help to crack 'Da Vinci Code' labyrinth

The labyrinth has 11 circuits, 1,500 green and brown glazed tiles and one route to the centre.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

12 lithographs which captured the grand stations of the North Midland Railway commissioned by architect, Francis Thompson in 1841 who designed the buildings have gone on display at Wingfield station, Derbyshire. 👇 Long-lost artworks of former stations go on display www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Delight as long-lost artworks of former stations go on display

Wingfield Station will permanently house 12 lithographs from the pioneering age of rail.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Playground to Pixels: A Journey Through Play exhibition at Beverley Guildhall, E. Yorks will show photographs, literature & memories from the 1950's & 1960's exploring has childhood play has evolved in the town. 👇 Childhood games that died and those that survive www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Childhood games that died and those that survive

Playgrounds to Pixels, a new exhibition in Beverley, takes a journey through generations of play.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The Cross Compound Steam Engine outside India Mill, Darwen, Lancashire has been repainted to reflect the town's link to the cotton industry & its historical links with India. 👇 BBC News - Darwen Steam engine restoration remembers Gandhi visit - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Darwen Steam engine restoration remembers Gandhi visit

The Cross Compound Steam Engine is repainted to preserve reminders of Darwen's industrial heritage.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

The fascinating story of Joseph Phillippe Lemercier Laroche & the circumstances that led to him being on the Titanic, researched by Dr Carlette Norwood. 👇 BBC News - Joseph Laroche: The only documented black person on the Titanic - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Joseph Laroche: The only documented black person on the Titanic

Joseph Laroche was 25 when he became one of the victims of the Titanic disaster in 1912.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

A Jurassic Coast digital catalogue with more than 600 specimens from the East Devon & Dorset coast has been made available & will allow new discoveries to be recorded. 👇 BBC News - Jurassic Coast fossil records made available in digital catalogue - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Jurassic Coast fossil records made available in digital catalogue

Hundreds of scientifically important fossil records from the Dorset and East Devon coast are online.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

A copy of the Bayeux Tapestry known as the "Geordie Tapestry" from the 1850's, drawn by schoolboys from Percy Street Academy in Newcastle has gone on display at the Great North Museum in Newcastle. 👇 BBC News -Newcastle schoolboys' 1850s copy of Bayeux Tapestry restored www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Newcastle schoolboys' 1850s copy of Bayeux Tapestry restored

The drawing is slightly bigger than the original and has gone on display at the Great North Museum.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Shakespeare's Globe at Bankside, London has opened its own archive with 6,000 books on Shakespeare as well early modern literature & drama along with the theatre's own archive of past productions. 👇 BBC News - Globe opens Shakespeare library and archive www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

London's only public Shakespeare library opens at the Globe

London's only public Shakespeare library featuring more than 6,000 books, is set to open at the Globe.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Ossett historian, Anne-Marie Fawcett reunites a stolen 1957 wedding album with its family. 👇 BBC News - How a stolen 1957 wedding album found its way home - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

How a stolen 1957 wedding album found its way home

A wedding album found dumped in Wakefield sparks an extraordinary family reunion.

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Kate North @curatorkate.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

The impressive and unusual Monk’s Door in Ely Cathedral, Cambridgeshire 🤩

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

The former Grand Junction Arms pub at 28 Praed Street, Paddington, London which dates from 1814. In the 1930's it was refronted for the brewery, Truman, Hanbury & Buxton Co. Ltd. It is now the Fantasia Grill House.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

names of 27 Polish codebreakers & signals intelligence to the Bletchley Park Roll of Honour.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

🧵This is a great story. Polish codebreaker Fred Vanke, now 103 who carried out work on behalf of codebreakers at Bletchley Park. After Fred's story was revealed research has added the👇 BBC News - Codebreaker, 103, kept his WW2 heroics a secret for decades - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

Codebreaker, 103, kept his WW2 heroics a secret for decades

Fred Vanke was sworn to secrecy but has now been honoured by Bletchley Park.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

The volunteers preserving the few remaining AA road telephone boxes. Over 600 were constructed between 1911 & 1962. 👇 BBC News - The volunteers who care for a historic AA call box near Aysgarth - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

bbc.co.uk

The volunteers who care for a historic AA call box near Aysgarth

Only 22 AA telephone boxes remain at British roadsides, with volunteers helping to preserve them.

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Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Some photos from inside the Kings Manor, Exhibition Square, York.

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