iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Happy 91st wedding anniversary to my grandparents Jim and Cissie Edwards who were married on this day (22nd September) in a Methodist Church in Runcorn, Cheshire, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 They went on to have seven children, 22 grandchildren and countless great-grandchildren. #familyhistory

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I love this photo which lives in my grandparents’ album. I have no idea who these kids are, what year it was taken or why they were dressed up. It is likely to have been taken in Cheshire though as that’s where most of the family lived. Any suggestions? #familyhistory

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Happy 819th birthday to my city of birth - Liverpool. I have traced direct ancestors in Liverpool to the late 1600s so I can claim deep Scouse roots. The Letters Patent of King John marked the beginning of Liverpool - signed on the 28 Aug 1207.

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Reposted by Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘

Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

A discarded probate ledger. One forgotten name. A remarkable true story. I hope you enjoy the journey. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Cheshire chiddickstree.substack.com/p/the-name-i...

chiddickstree.substack.com

The Name in the Ledger

How a Forgotten Name Revealed an Extraordinary Life

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I was travelling on a train today reading a book. After a while a lady nearby said, “Excuse me.” I looked up and she said, “I just wanted to say how nice it is to see someone reading a book rather than looking at a phone.”

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Sixty years ago today (22nd August), I arrived in Perth, Western Australia. I was a toddler with my mum, dad and brother. We were Ten Pound Poms. My mum wrote about life in our new home and the articles were published in an English newspaper. #familyhistory yourfamilystories.blog/2026/08/22/f...

yourfamilystories.blog

Flight Across the World

Letter from Australia Series: Letter 1 The Lucas Family: Christine and Keith with Kevin and Karen Our Family’s Big Move The 22nd of August 1966 plays a pivotal role in the story of our family. It w…

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

The wait is nearly over! Tomorrow is the 60th anniversary of our arrival in Western Australia. My mum, a writer, had a series of articles about life in our new home published in the Runcorn Weekly News. Look out for “Flight Across the World” - Letter from Australia Series - Link coming tomorrow ✈️

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

My husband and I were walking through the city today (Perth, Western Australia) when I noticed a sign saying this church was open and all were welcome. So, we popped in for a look. It is Wesley Church where my husband’s parents were married in 1958 so it plays a big part in our family history.

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

What story does this photograph tell? It is from my grandparents’ album - a neighbourhood photo, taken in Runcorn, Cheshire. There are no names recorded but we believe the woman in the centre at the back holding a child is my 2 x great-grandmother Mary Edwards, nee Clucas (1839 - 1920).

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I love old newspapers! What great family stories and secrets have you found in historic newspapers? #familyhistory #genealogy

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Gotta love a surprise fireworks event when you are having a get together with old friends at an apartment with an amazing view of the city and river #perth #westernaustralia #winterinperth

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Reposted by Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘

Paul Chiddicks @chiddickstree.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

You can now listen to my recent GenClub interview with the wonderful panel where together, we explore the remarkable story that I wrote about Adelaide Springett. Adelaide's story is one of discovery, resilience, courage and survival. I hope you'll give it a listen. substack.com/@chiddickstr...

substack.com

Paul Chiddicks (@chiddickstree)

If you missed it, you can now listen to my recent GenClub interview with the wonderful panel: @Robin Stewart , @Julie Dove , @Jane Chapman , @Anne Wendel , @Lynda Heines , and @Lisa Maguire Together,...

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Postcard from Khao Lak, Thailand where we have been enjoying a relaxing 10 day break. It’s tough when the biggest decision of the day is what restaurant to have dinner in. 🌴🍹😉

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Thinking of Jim (my father-in-law) and his twin sister Nancy who would have celebrated their 90th birthday today 🎂🎉 #familyhistory #genealogy

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

I was listening to the Family Tree Talk podcast recently and they spoke about a musician who had suggested creating a playlist for your children and grandchildren featuring the 20 songs that best describe, or have impacted your life. What a great legacy. What songs would yours have on it?

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Sixty-five years ago today my parents were married in Runcorn, Cheshire, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #wedding #familyhistory #genealogy

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Today would have been my mother-in-law’s 88th birthday 🎂 Thinking of you today Joy ❤️ #familyhistory #genealogy

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Great idea - this isn’t in my house. It is in a second cousin’s house in the UK. It is a needlework sampler made by my then 10 yo 3x great-grandmother, Elizabeth White, in 1824. #MuseumOfFamilyStuff

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

What is the oldest object you have in your family? My aunt has this 1797 coin. It was found by my 2 x great-grandfather, James Frederick Edwards (1877-1921) who was a carpenter in Runcorn, Cheshire. He found it when he was demolishing a building. #oldcoins #coin #familyhistory

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

These wonderful family heirlooms belonged to my 3 x great-grandmother, Elizabeth White, who lived in #Cheshire - 1814-1896. They are now in the care of a second cousin in England #familyhistory #heirlooms #silver

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

One of my family treasures. This postcard was sent to me by my grandparents in Liverpool not long after we’d left left England and moved to Australia when I was a toddler in the 1960s. #liverpool #postcard #oldpostcard #familyhistory

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Sometimes there is a line in a book, a movie or a tv series that just resonates with you. This is one such line for me. #tedlasso #familyhistory

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

The Time Traveller’s Wife - except I am the time traveller, flitting between centuries and destinations 😉 And sometimes I stay in the here and now, and travel around the world for fun (although usually there is a graveyard or two involved). ✈️🌎🌍

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

What are your ancestors whispering to you? …. Or maybe they are shouting.

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Wonderful photos of Violet Rutter, born 1892 in Cheshire, England. My great-grandmother was also Violet Rutter and she was the aunt of this Violet. #familyhistory #rutter #rutterfamily

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

No, not Ringo. He shared a birthday with Paul McCartney though (dad was one year older) and they shared a birthday party when they were kids. I wrote about it in my latest blog - yourfamilystories.blog/2026/06/18/t...

yourfamilystories.blog

The Chair in the Front Room

Karen (me) standing in front of 82 Dinas Lane, Huyton in 1990 Memories from a Home on Dinas Lane, Liverpool I was born in the front room of my paternal grandparents’ house at 82 Dinas Lane, Huyton.…

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

My dad on his tricycle, circa 1944, #Liverpool, England. He was a cutie and I can’t help but see my 2 year old grandson in his face. #familyhistory #1940s

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Are you a family historian? Are you, like me, overwhelmed at times when deciding which story to tell next? So many stories….. so little time. #familyhistory #genealogy

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Many family history podcasts start with the host asking the guest what got them into family history. It is usually something simple - a photo, an heirloom, a question - and in most cases it is the bait that hooks them and reels them into a whole new world! (ping @familytreeuk.co.uk)

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Rebecca popped into my office today for her performance review. After careful consideration, we’ve expanded her role. As well as uncovering records, solving mysteries and chasing down elusive ancestors, she’ll also be helping guide us through our family history. She didn’t ask for a pay rise.

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Family fun! Here’s me riding a horse on a merry-go-round with my dad. My brother and aunty are in the background. I don’t remember this but I’m glad this snapshot was taken. That’s what I love about photographs - it’s like we are frozen in time. It was when we still lived in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #familyhistory

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

@fieldstobarrels.com Being a South Australian story, I thought you may like to read this one 😉

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Sibling rivalry. Have you and your siblings taken DNA tests? If so, does one sibling have a “more interesting” ethnicity profile? Three of my siblings have also tested with Ancestry and I am the only one that shows Scandinavian. They show all Britain and Ireland. My sister is jealous of my DNA 😂

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

My most exciting find of week wasn’t on my family tree. It was in my local library where I discovered that my Australian council library card gives me free access to UK’s Family Tree magazine @familytreemag.bsky.social Yay! #familyhistory #genealogy #familytree

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Every family historian would love a time machine! I must admit, I’m a wee bit jealous of the time machine Andrew @familytreeuk.co.uk from @familyhistoriespodcast.com has in his garage 😀

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Meet Rebecca, or as we say in the north of England, “our Rebecca”. She is named after my 3× great-grandmother, Rebecca Wild and I just love her name. "Rebecca Wild" sounds like someone who isn’t afraid to explore, ask questions, and embrace adventure. I hope you enjoy the journey with us.

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I was always a tree climber! I still am, although nowadays I stick to family trees. It’s still an adventure but not as far to fall if I miss a step 😂

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Our parents and grandparents are the same people they have always been but the way we view them over time can change enormously. As we go through the same life stages as they did, and as we understand them better from an adults perspective, it can be like we are meeting new, different people.

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

I love going to my letterbox and seeing a new edition of this family history journal. I understand why so many organisations only send digital versions nowadays, but it is so nice to sit down in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and devour all the news and family stories ☕️🫖

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

As family historians, we are often reminded about the need to tell our own stories for our descendants. Our brief was to create a costume using a plastic rubbish bag and whatever we could find in the craft and dress up box. We had a fabulous party 🎉. I will have to include this in my life story.

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

On this day 124 years ago (21 June 1902) my husband’s grandmother was born in Edinburgh Scotland, Jean Lonie - Granny Thompson to us. In 1926 the family left on the ship “Berrima” for a new life in Australia. Happy Granny Thompson day! So many people wouldn't have been here without you. 🎂🎈🎉

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

I love this photo of my husband’s grandmother and her eldest three children - 1930s Perth #familyhistory #oldphotos

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Karen Lucas-Thompson 🇬🇧🇦🇺🦘 @kaz747.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

In the article I shared yesterday about the house in Dinas Lane, I included a photo of my 2 x great-Grandmother, Ellen Johnston. That was cropped from this family wedding photo, taken in Liverpool in 1943. The bride and the head bridesmaid are twins and they are Ellen’s granddaughters.

substack.com

Karen - Your Family Stories (@kaz747)

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