chiddicksfamilytree

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Forgotten Ancestors: Remembering James Hallsey

About Forgotten Ancestors – Every family tree holds stories lost to time, distant relatives whose lives passed quietly, leaving barely a mark, but whose experiences shaped the generations that followed. In this series, I explore the lives of those forgotten ancestors, bringing their names, stories, and voices back into the light. “History remembers only the celebrated, genealogy remembers them…

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Forgotten Ancestors: Remembering Henry William Chiddicks

About Forgotten AncestorsEvery family tree holds stories lost to time — distant relatives whose lives passed quietly, leaving barely a mark, but whose experiences shaped the generations that followed. In this series, I explore the lives of those forgotten ancestors, bringing their names, stories, and voices back into the light. “History remembers only the celebrated, genealogy remembers them…

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Forgotten Ancestors: Remembering Horatio Nelson Hallsey

About Forgotten AncestorsEvery family tree holds stories lost to time — distant relatives whose lives passed quietly, leaving barely a mark, but whose experiences shaped the generations that followed. In this series, I explore the lives of those forgotten ancestors, bringing their names, stories, and voices back into the light. “History remembers only the celebrated, genealogy remembers them…

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The Great London Flood of 1928

The people of London lay blissfully asleep in their beds, completely unaware of the chaos and devastation that was about to unfold in the early hours of the morning. On a cold and rainy January morning in 1928, disaster struck the city when the River Thames flooded with devastating effect, claiming the lives of fourteen Londoners and leaving around 5,000 others homeless. The floods were in part…

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Touching The Past

History is All Around Us Everywhere we go we are surrounded by history, whether it’s your family’s history, the history of your house, or just local history, it’s there all around us, often going unnoticed and untouched. But have you ever paused to think about the history woven into the buildings, roads, and landscapes that you pass by every day? The houses we live in, the fields we walk…

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Separated by War - Orphaned Siblings Reunited After Decades Apart

Family history research is often a journey of twists, turns, and unexpected breakthroughs. But when you’re dealing with a family member who was adopted and separated from the family at a young age, the search can feel even more daunting. In this post, I’ll share with you the unique circumstances that led my friend Rob, to trace his mum’s adopted sister Maureen, through a death certificate and the…

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Stepping Into the Spotlight: My First Ever Vlog!

Make the most of this folks this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity as you catch a rare glimpse of me stepping outside of my comfort zone. You can watch my first ever video blog where I explain why I started researching my family tree by clicking on the link below:Stepping Into the Spotlight: My First Ever Vlog! Please let me know what you think in the comments below – enjoy! Why not…

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How Strong Are Your Tree’s Roots?

Genealogy is an exciting journey of discovery, but it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of the chase. With the explosion of online tools and databases, anyone can start creating their family history instantly – but how many of us pause to ask: does my tree have solid roots? It’s tempting to go down the rabbit hole when you find a name that seems like it might be one of your ancestors, but…

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Unearthing the Past: How an Old Ledger Revealed Hidden Family Secrets

Sometimes, we discover a story, and sometimes, the story discovers us. This is one of the most remarkable examples of serendipity I’ve encountered in over thirty years of family history research. So sit back, relax, and let me tell you a story….. Being recognised amongst friends and family as the keeper of all things “old,” I’ve amassed quite the collection of documents and artefacts over the…

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Hidden Treasures: Preserving the Stories Behind Family Heirlooms

We all have hidden treasures tucked away in the corners of our family homes. These keepsakes passed down through generations are more than just objects—they’re pieces of history, bearing stories and memories that connect us to our ancestors and their lives. These heirlooms serve as silent but powerful reminders of where we come from, linking us to moments and people who helped shape our…

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Whose Truth Is It Anyway?

Ever had one of those skeletons from the past come knocking at your door? Should you answer? I guarantee that every family will have secrets, some might call them ‘skeletons in the cupboard’ but it amounts to the same thing. Something was kept hidden from the family, for what at the time, appeared to be a valid reason. Discovering a family secret in itself is not unusual, but deciding what to do…

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Sapper George Lucas

Killed in the Line of Duty Sapper George Lucas Service Number 7895135………. The final part in the story of the six brave men that died near Nantwich in Cheshire, trying to defuse a bomb that was dropped during WW2. This brings to a conclusion, eight months of research and many visits to the surrounding areas trying to establish how these brave men lost their lives. I always knew that when I…

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'Meet The 2x Great-Grandparents'

Inspired by all the wonderful Genealogists on Substack, I have finally taken up the ‘Sixteen’ challenge and collated the stories of all my ‘Sixteen’ 2x Great-Grandparents into one convenient location. I don’t expect you to read them all, that is a big ask, but if you read just one of them, then I will be extremely grateful. There are a few teasers there to hopefully draw you in and please let me…

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Sapper Harold Walter Thompson

Killed in the Line of Duty Sapper Harold Walter Thompson Service Number 2001843……….. Harold Walter Thompson was born on 19 February 1920, in Romford in Essex, the third oldest of six children born to parents Harry Walter Thompson and Charlotte May Wheal. Baby Harold was baptised just two months later on 29 April 1920 at St. Edward the Confessor Roman Catholic Church in Romford. Just one year…

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Sapper Michael Lambert

Killed in the Line of Duty Sapper Michael Lambert Service Number 2094019……….. Michael Lambert was born on 23 March 1919 in Clogheen, Tipperary, Ireland, the oldest of eleven children born to George Lambert and Catherine Daly. Interestingly his father is recorded as a Soldier on Michael’s birth record. Michael’s father, George Lambert, was originally from a small village called Galbally which…

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Sapper Albert Edward SA Fearon

Killed in the Line of Duty Sapper Albert Edward SA Fearon Service Number 4270436……….. Albert Edward Sidegewick Anderson Fearon, to give him his full name, was born in the second quarter of 1920 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the youngest of six children born to parents Christopher Stephenson Fearon and Alice Oliver. What is really interesting with Albert’s father is that there were two patents…

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Sapper John Perrins

Killed in the Line of Duty Sapper John Perrins Service Number 1895467……….. John Perrins was born on 16 June 1916 in Bolton, one of seven children born to parents, John Thomas Perrins and Sarah Ann Hurst. The Perrins family had spent many years living in the Little Lever area of Bolton and came from a background of strong traditional Lancashire values. John attended St. Matthews Day School and…