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The story of Robert Stirzaker (1855–1934) and Elizabeth Ormand (1856–1926) takes us into the heart of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Lancashire, following a family whose lives were closely connected to the land, the canal, the mills and the busy dock at Glasson. From Robert's early years as a farm servant around Cockerham, and Elizabeth's childhood in Slyne, their lives would eventually bring them together and lead them through…

Ready to take your family history research a step further? The Geordie Genealogist has created a growing collection of practical genealogy books designed to help you uncover the stories hiding within your family tree. Starting with The Family History Handbook, 12 Steps to Tracing Missing Ancestors, and Ancestors Who Have Emigrated, these books are packed with helpful guidance, research ideas and small steps to help you overcome those frustrating brick walls.

John Alcock and Sarah Broom The story of John Alcock and Sarah Broom takes us into the heart of nineteenth-century Sunderland, a world shaped by the River Wear, shipbuilding and the hardworking families who made their homes among its busy streets. Born in Wolsingham in 1825, John came to Sunderland as a young man and trained as a carpenter before becoming a skilled shipwright.

The story of William Ferry and Dorothy Mustard is very much a story of Sunderland itself. Their lives spanned a period of enormous change, from the busy Victorian streets of Bishopwearmouth and Ballast Hills to the shipyards of the River Wear, and eventually to South Wales. Through their homes, occupations, marriage and children, we can glimpse the everyday life of a working family whose fortunes were closely tied to Britain's great industrial age. Click to read more

Remembering Thomas and Sarah The story of Thomas and Sarah Laidler is much more than a list of census entries, addresses, occupations and dates. Their records provide a window into the lives of an ordinary working family living through an extraordinary period of change. Thomas's life followed the path of a nineteenth-century industrial worker. From his beginnings as a young blacksmith, he moved through the many forms of labour that sustained Sunderland's engineering and shipbuilding industries.

William Mustard Ferry was born on Wednesday, 26 May 1886, at 15 Crescent Row, Sunderland, Durham, England. He was the son of William Ferry (1864–1945) and Dorothy Mustard (1867–1935). William was born into a Sunderland that was firmly shaped by industry. By the time of his birth in 1886, the River Wear was lined with shipyards, engineering works, docks, warehouses and coal-handling facilities, and shipbuilding had become one of the defining industries of the town.

“Stepping on a clothes peg and falling downstairs.” When researching family history, you come across all sorts of causes of death, but every now and then one really makes you stop and think. It’s a stark reminder that behind every name, date and record was a real person, with a life, a family and a story. 💔 CLOTHES PEG ON THE STAIRS - CAUSE OF LOCAL WOMAN'S DEATH…

If you're researching your family history on a budget, here's a handy tip: Findmypast offers a pay-per-view option as well as its subscription plans. This means you only pay for the individual records you require, making it an excellent choice if you only need access to a handful of documents rather than a full monthly or annual subscription. It's a great way to keep your genealogy research affordable while still accessing valuable historical records.

Whenever possible, always work from original records rather than transcriptions or indexes, because transcribed records can contain errors such as - Misread handwriting (eg 'Ann' transcribed as 'Amy') Incorrect dates or ages Misspelled surnames Omitted notes or marginal annotations Misinterpreted occupations or places Indexing mistakes that make records difficult to find Original documents can also provide important context that a transcription often leaves out, such as -

If you're beginning your family history journey, you'll quickly discover that parish records are among the most valuable resources available. Long before governments kept official records of births, marriages, and deaths, local churches were responsible for recording many of the most important events in people's lives. For genealogists, these records provide an invaluable window into the past.

This week's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? featuring Ruth Madeley was one of the most interesting I've watched in a long time. I always enjoy seeing the family histories unfold, but Ruth's story was especially fascinating. As each new discovery came to light, it revealed not only more about her own family but also offered a glimpse into the lives, challenges and experiences of previous generations.

Thought I'd share a little bit about me and why I created this website. I began researching my family history over 23 years ago. It hasn’t always been easy – there have been plenty of frustrations, unanswered questions, and moments when I thought I’d reached a dead end. But when the records align and a family mystery is solved, the feeling of accomplishment is immense.

Birth, marriage and death (BMD) certificates are among the most important documents in family history research. They provide official evidence of key life events and can help confirm relationships,…