iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Thank you so much Zoe for your kind and generous donation @thefamilyarchives.bsky.social it’s very much appreciated

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Thanks so much Carol for your kind words and for taking the time to read Adelaide’s story. Your generosity appreciated.

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thanks so much John for your kind words and for taking the time to read Adelaide’s story. Your generosity appreciated.

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Some pictures from today’s research apologies for the picture overload. The context will come when I write the stories - part 2

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Some pictures from today’s research apologies for the picture overload. The context will come when I write the stories - part 1

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

What year was grandad born? 1907, 1908, 1909 all three dates are shown, but if you look close enough the answers there….

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Another great story about my grandad that I had never heard before, this was in the paper when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

I sadly lost my dad, Frank William George Chiddicks, when I was just three years old, and today marks 59 years since he passed away. I miss him more as each year passes, perhaps because I’m getting older myself and understanding more of what I lost. Miss you, Dad. 💔 #Family #Genealogy

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

My Aunt is up for a family visit and has brought with her this amazing collection of photos and newspaper cuttings. Some of the standout pictures are below, but there are also letters of condolence from when my Dad died in 1967. I’m not quite ready to read those just yet. ❤️

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Thank you so much for your continued support and kindness @projectkin.bsky.social it’s greatly appreciated

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

I’m currently on tour in Germany, where there’s an incredible amount of history to explore. I’ll have plenty to write about when I return, but in the meantime, here’s a handful of photos to whet your appetite…..

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

What a wonderful idea let’s all add something to the thread - Here’s Great Uncle John Daniels ‘Button Stick’. He was a Company Quartermaster Sergeant in the Irish Army

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I've spent years writing about the heirlooms we've inherited. My next article asks a completely different question... Not what we've been given. But what we'll leave behind. It's a question I wasn't expecting—and one I couldn't stop thinking about. Tomorrow

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Today I'm sharing the story of Despatch Rider Ernest Herbert Henly. One surviving school report described him as: "A very earnest little scholar." Read his story: Every name remembered. Every story preserved. #WW2 #Blitz #Oldpalaceschoolbombing #History open.substack.com/pub/oldpalac...

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Tomorrow I'll be sharing the story of Despatch Rider Ernest Herbert Henly. Ernest was just nineteen years old when he lost his life at The Old Palace School during #WW2 Every name remembered. Every story preserved.

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Sunday fun Vincent Van Gogh’s family tree

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Thank you for your kind support substack.com/@essentialgene… just supported Paul Chiddicks on @buymeacoffee! 🎉 Paul Chiddicks is . You can support by buying a coffee☕ here �� buymeacoffee.com/chiddicksfamil�il…

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Tomorrow I’ll be publishing the first individual story in the Old Palace School project. Fireman William Rashbrook ("Sonny") was one of the 34 firefighters who lost their lives when The Old Palace School was destroyed during the Blitz on 20 April 1941. Every name remembered. Every story preserved.

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Father’s Day is always a poignant reminder for me. I lost my dad, Frank William George Chiddicks, when I was just 3 years old in 1967. It’s now 58 years since he passed, and I miss him more as I get older myself. Miss you, Dad 💔 #Family #Genealogy

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Tomorrow's #TalesFromTheTombFriday explores one of Hampshire's most chilling legends. In 1674, Alice Blunden was declared dead and buried. Days later, children playing nearby reportedly heard cries coming from beneath the earth... Was she buried alive? Find out tomorrow. #TalesFromTheTombFriday

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Laura Elliott just supported Paul Chiddicks on @buymeacoffee! 🎉

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Funniest thing I’ve seen in a long while…….it’s always a Conor!

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Sometimes family history doesn’t come from an archive. Sometimes it comes out of the ground. A remarkable WWI object was recently discovered buried in a garden and its story may trace back to Passchendaele itself. #WW1 #Genealogy #MilitaryHistory #History Out tomorrow…….

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

A coffin sits on top of a churchyard wall at Edington Priory. No confirmed identity. No clear explanation. Just centuries of rumours, folklore, and unanswered questions. My next “Stories From The Grave” Out tomorrow …….. #EdingtonPriory #Wiltshire #MedievalHistory #LocalHistory #FamilyHistory

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Today would have been my mum’s 85th birthday. (1941-2011) Her life changed so much after my dad died, and nothing was quite the same for her after that. It wasn’t an easy journey. But one thing never wavered, not once, was her love for me. I miss you, Mum. Always. ❤️

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Could it be? Was Cecelia Cassidy who was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut the originator of Princess Leia's famous ‘hair-do’ back in 1921? Either way, May the Fourth be with you! #FamilyHistory #StarWars

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Every headstone tells the same basic story: Name Year–Year But the real story is never in the dates. It’s in the dash. Coming Friday: a reflection on “The Dash” and what it teaches us about family history. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

The Bank of England holds one of the world's largest gold vaults. However In 1836, the directors of the Bank of England received anonymous letters from someone claiming he could access their gold. The man had discovered an old, forgotten route through a sewer that led into the Bank’s vaults.

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Won’t be on much this week as I’m otherwise preoccupied

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

“Genealogy has a habit of quietly rearranging the furniture of our identity.” That line has been sitting with me while writing my latest post. It’s about the moments when family history challenges what we think we know about ourselves. Sharing it very soon…..

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

‘Dear Paul’ – Where the Genealogy Magic Happens…… A little behind-the-scenes look at my column in Family Tree Magazine — new #blog out this Friday Scandals, surprises, census quirks… #genealogy #familyhistory

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Now this is a book that’s right up my street, looking forward to reading this one……. #Tomb #TalesOfTheTombFriday #Genealogy #Grave

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

A woman denied burial. A grave on a windswept peat moor. A story the church refused to sanctify. This Friday, Stories From The Grave continues. Betty Corrigall’s story is next. #TalesOfTheTomb #Orkney #DarkHistory #Genealogy

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Latest model off the #LEGO production line…….#StarWars #StarWarsLego

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

One day you will unknowingly pose for the picture that will be used at your funeral……..

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

A child. A fear of darkness. And a family who refused to let him face it alone. This Friday, a new story from the grave. #TalesFromTheTombFriday #StoriesFromTheGrave #Genealogy

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

It’s taken some time to grow but I’m rather proud of the fact that my blog site chiddicksfamilytree.com has now reached 1000 subscribers thank you to each and everyone of you 👏🏻👏🏻 #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #FamilyTree

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

1854 list of the 100 most populated cities in Europe

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

The actual Abdication papers signed by Edward VIII in 1936 when he renounced the throne to marry Wallis Simpson. Currently on display in The National Archives’ Love Letters exhibition, which opens on Saturday #History #RoyalFamily #loveletters #thenationalarchives #abdication #edwardviii

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Something dark and fascinating is coming… Every Friday, uncover stories that time almost forgot in my new series: Stories From the Grave. Introducing: Tales from the Tomb Friday 👻 #TalesFromTheTomb #HiddenHistory #FridayReads #Genealogy #History #Graveyard #Gravestone

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Did Thomas Hardy really arrange gravestones around a tree in a London churchyard… or is that just a story that grew over time? A new blog coming soon. 🌳🪦 #StoriesFromTheGrave #London #History #Blog #Genealogy

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

I wonder what new and exciting discoveries will be made this morning at the @fhsofcheshire.bsky.social research centre! #Cheshire #FamilyHistory #Genealogy

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

The Dear Paul column is looking for two kinds of hidden gems this year: newspaper stories and parish register curiosities. Did your ancestor make the headlines for something unusual. Plus what did you discover hidden in those parish registers. If you’ve uncovered a story, I’d love to hear from you.

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Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

In 1942, American servicemen in Britain received these instructions...

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