Clare Kirk
@digupyourancestors.bsky.social
#FamilyHistory researcher
Trustee @cotswoldarch.bsky.social
Editor @friendlesschurches.bsky.social
OFHS advisor
Singer, baker, occasional mudlarker
Blogging at digupyourancestors.com
Trustee @cotswoldarch.bsky.social
Editor @friendlesschurches.bsky.social
OFHS advisor
Singer, baker, occasional mudlarker
Blogging at digupyourancestors.com
Pinned
William Gunton Saword: Part 2 — Butler of Greenwich Hospital
William Saword was the Butler of Greenwich Hospital for naval pensioners from 1772 to 1812. He faced two government enquiries into corruption, a devastating fire and the loss of two wives, and he e…
digupyourancestors.com
Last week I toured the Half Moon Brewery in Bruges. In 2016 they installed a 2-mile-long beer pipeline beneath the streets of the medieval city!
My OH’s ancestor was using a subterraneous beer pipe system at Greenwich Naval Hospital 250 years earlier!
Find out more in my blog.
My OH’s ancestor was using a subterraneous beer pipe system at Greenwich Naval Hospital 250 years earlier!
Find out more in my blog.
A quick and short (for me!) blog post about how even the most ordinary-looking and emotionless document can reveal turbulent events in #FamilyHistory digupyourancestors.com/2025/12/10/w...
William Hobbs Bradfield the younger
Even the dullest-looking document is a record of someone’s life (or death), and can set you on a path to discovering surprising stories from the past.
digupyourancestors.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
A quick and short (for me!) blog post about how even the most ordinary-looking and emotionless document can reveal turbulent events in #FamilyHistory digupyourancestors.com/2025/12/10/w...
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Looks like we may be heading towards two more Brickdust episodes… so we’d love to hear some more funny/weird names you’ve seen whilst researching.
familyhistoriespodcast.com/question
#genealogy #ancestry #archives
familyhistoriespodcast.com/question
#genealogy #ancestry #archives
The Question - The Family Histories Podcast
We'd like to hear your feedback to our Question. We'll pick our favourite answers and include them in a forthcoming episode.
familyhistoriespodcast.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Looks like we may be heading towards two more Brickdust episodes… so we’d love to hear some more funny/weird names you’ve seen whilst researching.
familyhistoriespodcast.com/question
#genealogy #ancestry #archives
familyhistoriespodcast.com/question
#genealogy #ancestry #archives
I’ve just finished learning about manorial records with @pharostutors.bsky.social and tutor @joesaunders1.bsky.social and this week I realised I actually own some myself! I have 8 19th-century documents from the Court Baron of the Manor of West Drayton. And now I can make sense of them! #GeekingOut
December 6, 2025 at 9:39 AM
I’ve just finished learning about manorial records with @pharostutors.bsky.social and tutor @joesaunders1.bsky.social and this week I realised I actually own some myself! I have 8 19th-century documents from the Court Baron of the Manor of West Drayton. And now I can make sense of them! #GeekingOut
Reposted by Clare Kirk
The Marvellous Miniature Workshop review – like all your Christmasses come at once
The Marvellous Miniature Workshop review – like all your Christmasses come at once
In the BBC’s latest reality show, model-makers recreate people’s most poignant places … only teeny weeny. Despite sounding like a total reach, it is endlessly charming and incredibly emotional. Let the weeping commence
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
The Marvellous Miniature Workshop review – like all your Christmasses come at once
An excellent episode that combined archaeology with thoughtful remembrance for this young American pilot.
Tonight on #Hiddenwonders we go to Essex join a mission to recover the remains of 2nd Lt Lester Lowry a project run by @cotswoldarch.bsky.social on behalf of the DPAA
9pm More 4 or catch-up up on @channel4tv.bsky.social 4OD #Archaeology #WWII #History #Aviation #Militaryhistory
9pm More 4 or catch-up up on @channel4tv.bsky.social 4OD #Archaeology #WWII #History #Aviation #Militaryhistory
December 5, 2025 at 1:13 PM
An excellent episode that combined archaeology with thoughtful remembrance for this young American pilot.
Reposted by Clare Kirk
I'd like to bublycise this spelling just seen on @findmypast.bsky.social . 😁
December 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
I'd like to bublycise this spelling just seen on @findmypast.bsky.social . 😁
I was just at the dentist for my daughter, and while she was in with the dentist there was just me and two other women in the waiting room. A nurse came out and said “Clare?” We all looked up. Turns out we were all called Clare/Claire!
December 3, 2025 at 9:43 AM
I was just at the dentist for my daughter, and while she was in with the dentist there was just me and two other women in the waiting room. A nurse came out and said “Clare?” We all looked up. Turns out we were all called Clare/Claire!
Interesting bit of Tudor recycling.
And I’m in Whitchurch right now!
And I’m in Whitchurch right now!
For #EYAMedieval we bring you an illuminated Church manuscript that was re-used c.16th century to bind Whitchurch parish’s ‘Poor Accounts’. After the Reformation, such manuscripts were sometimes given more 'everyday' purposes. Not quite the preservation we'd have suggested but better than the bin...
December 1, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Interesting bit of Tudor recycling.
And I’m in Whitchurch right now!
And I’m in Whitchurch right now!
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Jane Austen went to school for a short time in Oxford and her father and brothers studied at St John’s College, which is putting on a free exhibition from Wed 3 to Mon 8 December 2025, 10am to 5pm daily, on “The Austens at Oxford” www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/discover/eve...
Exhibition: The Austens at Oxford
Join us at St John's for a special exhibition celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth.
www.sjc.ox.ac.uk
November 24, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Jane Austen went to school for a short time in Oxford and her father and brothers studied at St John’s College, which is putting on a free exhibition from Wed 3 to Mon 8 December 2025, 10am to 5pm daily, on “The Austens at Oxford” www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/discover/eve...
The House at number 48 on BBC Sounds is an amazing story on 3 levels — the research that shone light on a family mystery, the tragic events that are revealed, and investigation into their legacy today. The family historian in me wanted more loose threads tied up at the end but I highly recommend it.
The House at Number 48 is a gripping tale of real-life history
A suitcase found after the death of Anthony Easton's father leads us down a path worthy of a bestselling Second World War thriller
www.newstatesman.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:15 AM
The House at number 48 on BBC Sounds is an amazing story on 3 levels — the research that shone light on a family mystery, the tragic events that are revealed, and investigation into their legacy today. The family historian in me wanted more loose threads tied up at the end but I highly recommend it.
Here's a new occupation for my family tree:
In 1901 Louisa Mugglestone (wife of my husband's 1st cousin 4x removed) was a self-employed water diviner.
1/2
In 1901 Louisa Mugglestone (wife of my husband's 1st cousin 4x removed) was a self-employed water diviner.
1/2
November 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Here's a new occupation for my family tree:
In 1901 Louisa Mugglestone (wife of my husband's 1st cousin 4x removed) was a self-employed water diviner.
1/2
In 1901 Louisa Mugglestone (wife of my husband's 1st cousin 4x removed) was a self-employed water diviner.
1/2
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Theodocia Batcheller. Or Batchelder. Or Batchellor. 🤷♀️ #FamilyHistory Here’s her story: toomuchbrudders.com/2025/05/29/d...
Dear Theodocia | Too Much Brudders blog
Oh, Theodocia, what a life you lived! Your family members survived the Revolutionary War and your son died in the Civil War.
toomuchbrudders.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Theodocia Batcheller. Or Batchelder. Or Batchellor. 🤷♀️ #FamilyHistory Here’s her story: toomuchbrudders.com/2025/05/29/d...
Wonderful names and history!
On my side, Rembrandt Peale West. On my husband's side, Preserved Clapp and Patience Bacon. We joked for years that if we had twins we were gonna name them Preserved and Patience! Just recently found out that Patience was the first recorded woman physician and surgeon in colonel America.
November 17, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Wonderful names and history!
What a lovely name!
My Nan, Minnie Mellows
November 17, 2025 at 11:06 PM
What a lovely name!
Reposted by Clare Kirk
I've always had a soft spot for Faith Temple.
I also like Tymothy Temple, Owbridge Johnson, Tabitha Piscod, Daniel Bear, Valentine Gerry, Christian Gale and not forgetting plain old Elizabeth Taylor 😊
I also like Tymothy Temple, Owbridge Johnson, Tabitha Piscod, Daniel Bear, Valentine Gerry, Christian Gale and not forgetting plain old Elizabeth Taylor 😊
November 17, 2025 at 10:35 PM
I've always had a soft spot for Faith Temple.
I also like Tymothy Temple, Owbridge Johnson, Tabitha Piscod, Daniel Bear, Valentine Gerry, Christian Gale and not forgetting plain old Elizabeth Taylor 😊
I also like Tymothy Temple, Owbridge Johnson, Tabitha Piscod, Daniel Bear, Valentine Gerry, Christian Gale and not forgetting plain old Elizabeth Taylor 😊
What are your favourite names of direct ancestors?
My Top 10 are:
Hephzibah Priest
Comfort Smith
Rosson Martin
Olliff Foster
Maria Apollonia Hofen
Peggy Sharp
Jemima Petty
Pascha Bakewell
Henry Muggleston
Matthias Thacker
#familyhistory
My Top 10 are:
Hephzibah Priest
Comfort Smith
Rosson Martin
Olliff Foster
Maria Apollonia Hofen
Peggy Sharp
Jemima Petty
Pascha Bakewell
Henry Muggleston
Matthias Thacker
#familyhistory
November 17, 2025 at 10:06 PM
What are your favourite names of direct ancestors?
My Top 10 are:
Hephzibah Priest
Comfort Smith
Rosson Martin
Olliff Foster
Maria Apollonia Hofen
Peggy Sharp
Jemima Petty
Pascha Bakewell
Henry Muggleston
Matthias Thacker
#familyhistory
My Top 10 are:
Hephzibah Priest
Comfort Smith
Rosson Martin
Olliff Foster
Maria Apollonia Hofen
Peggy Sharp
Jemima Petty
Pascha Bakewell
Henry Muggleston
Matthias Thacker
#familyhistory
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Hello all, the Oxfordshire History Centre is now on Bluesky!
November 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Hello all, the Oxfordshire History Centre is now on Bluesky!
Reposted by Clare Kirk
This #MapMonday let us take you back in time ⌛
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 AM
This #MapMonday let us take you back in time ⌛
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
We've just added first edition 6-inch to the mile Ordnance Survey maps of England and Wales to our website, published from the 1840s to 1880s. These maps are all from bound volumes.
Explore the maps > maps.nls.uk/additions/#188
Ep. 1 of @hallierubenhold.bsky.social’s #IntimateHistories podcast really resonates. “History is the story of people, & people’s lives are meaningful & profoundly messy.” Social history, she says, is the counterweight to ‘great man’ history — I think family, local & house historians would all agree.
Intimate Histories by Hallie Rubenhold - 1. Peopled History - BBC Sounds
Hallie Rubenhold challenges the ideas of what history is and the stories it can tell.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Ep. 1 of @hallierubenhold.bsky.social’s #IntimateHistories podcast really resonates. “History is the story of people, & people’s lives are meaningful & profoundly messy.” Social history, she says, is the counterweight to ‘great man’ history — I think family, local & house historians would all agree.
Reposted by Clare Kirk
So much of Cymru/Wales's heritage lost in a single theft..
...Items from Llanwrthwrl, Powys, Capel Isaf, Carmarthenshire, Heyope, Powys, & the spectacular Early Bronze Age gold lunula from Llanllyfni, Gwynedd.
😞
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
...Items from Llanwrthwrl, Powys, Capel Isaf, Carmarthenshire, Heyope, Powys, & the spectacular Early Bronze Age gold lunula from Llanllyfni, Gwynedd.
😞
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Search continues for Bronze Age artefacts stolen from St Fagans
Two men have been charged with burglary, but
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 3:54 PM
So much of Cymru/Wales's heritage lost in a single theft..
...Items from Llanwrthwrl, Powys, Capel Isaf, Carmarthenshire, Heyope, Powys, & the spectacular Early Bronze Age gold lunula from Llanllyfni, Gwynedd.
😞
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
...Items from Llanwrthwrl, Powys, Capel Isaf, Carmarthenshire, Heyope, Powys, & the spectacular Early Bronze Age gold lunula from Llanllyfni, Gwynedd.
😞
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Inside the Roman Catholic chapel at Biddlestone in Northumberland is an intriguing remnant from life on the home front during the Second World War.
1/6
1/6
November 11, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Inside the Roman Catholic chapel at Biddlestone in Northumberland is an intriguing remnant from life on the home front during the Second World War.
1/6
1/6
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Alice Huyler Ramsey 1909 1st woman to drive car across US, 3800 miles #NewYork to #SanFrancisco in green 4-cylinder, 30-hp Maxwell DA. 59-day trek w 2 sisters-in-law & friend who couldn't drive. Arrived to great fanfare on 3 wks later than planned. b #OTD 11 Nov 1886 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_H...
November 11, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Alice Huyler Ramsey 1909 1st woman to drive car across US, 3800 miles #NewYork to #SanFrancisco in green 4-cylinder, 30-hp Maxwell DA. 59-day trek w 2 sisters-in-law & friend who couldn't drive. Arrived to great fanfare on 3 wks later than planned. b #OTD 11 Nov 1886 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_H...
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Let's play Bucks Name or Name Name
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Let's play Bucks Name or Name Name
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Teigh (pronounced 'tee'), Rutland, has what at first appears to be a war memorial. But in fact it is one of the 50-odd parishes dubbed 'Thankful Villages' by Arthur Mee in his 'The Enchanted Land', 1936, which got back all the people they sent to the First World War. 1/2
November 9, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Teigh (pronounced 'tee'), Rutland, has what at first appears to be a war memorial. But in fact it is one of the 50-odd parishes dubbed 'Thankful Villages' by Arthur Mee in his 'The Enchanted Land', 1936, which got back all the people they sent to the First World War. 1/2
Reposted by Clare Kirk
Lengthening autumnal shadows -
Easthall Manor, #Denver #Norfolk
#BluePlaque -
Captain George William Manby
Born 1765
Inventor of a portable fire extinguisher & apparatus for saving life from shipwrecks.
Manby’s mortar fired a line from the shore to a wrecked ship so people could be winched ashore.
Easthall Manor, #Denver #Norfolk
#BluePlaque -
Captain George William Manby
Born 1765
Inventor of a portable fire extinguisher & apparatus for saving life from shipwrecks.
Manby’s mortar fired a line from the shore to a wrecked ship so people could be winched ashore.
November 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Lengthening autumnal shadows -
Easthall Manor, #Denver #Norfolk
#BluePlaque -
Captain George William Manby
Born 1765
Inventor of a portable fire extinguisher & apparatus for saving life from shipwrecks.
Manby’s mortar fired a line from the shore to a wrecked ship so people could be winched ashore.
Easthall Manor, #Denver #Norfolk
#BluePlaque -
Captain George William Manby
Born 1765
Inventor of a portable fire extinguisher & apparatus for saving life from shipwrecks.
Manby’s mortar fired a line from the shore to a wrecked ship so people could be winched ashore.