Dave Annal Lifelines Research
@davelifelines.bsky.social
Family historian, lecturer, author. Former Principal Family History Specialist at The National Archives. Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. 41 years in the business. Loves a good map. #Genealogy #FamilyHistory
https://lifelinesresearch.co.uk/
https://lifelinesresearch.co.uk/
Reposted by Dave Annal Lifelines Research
I am so excited to show you the cover for my new book, Genealogy Methods and Techniques - A Practical Guide to Research, due for publication Feb-Mar 2026 but available for pre-order now.
www.professionalfamilyhistory.co.uk/writing-on-g...
#Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Methodology #PublishedAuthor
www.professionalfamilyhistory.co.uk/writing-on-g...
#Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Methodology #PublishedAuthor
December 23, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I am so excited to show you the cover for my new book, Genealogy Methods and Techniques - A Practical Guide to Research, due for publication Feb-Mar 2026 but available for pre-order now.
www.professionalfamilyhistory.co.uk/writing-on-g...
#Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Methodology #PublishedAuthor
www.professionalfamilyhistory.co.uk/writing-on-g...
#Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Methodology #PublishedAuthor
December 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Most Orcadians are clear about one thing. You can call their homeland 'Orkney' or 'the Orkney Islands' but NEVER 'The Orkneys'.
Quite what they would make of early 18th century cartographer Herman Moll's use of the term 'Orkneyshire' I really wouldn't like to say... 😱
#MapMonday #MappyMonday
Quite what they would make of early 18th century cartographer Herman Moll's use of the term 'Orkneyshire' I really wouldn't like to say... 😱
#MapMonday #MappyMonday
December 22, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Most Orcadians are clear about one thing. You can call their homeland 'Orkney' or 'the Orkney Islands' but NEVER 'The Orkneys'.
Quite what they would make of early 18th century cartographer Herman Moll's use of the term 'Orkneyshire' I really wouldn't like to say... 😱
#MapMonday #MappyMonday
Quite what they would make of early 18th century cartographer Herman Moll's use of the term 'Orkneyshire' I really wouldn't like to say... 😱
#MapMonday #MappyMonday
Very disappointing…
I was hoping for a Nintendo Switch but it was just a bunch of old documents!
I was hoping for a Nintendo Switch but it was just a bunch of old documents!
December 20, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Very disappointing…
I was hoping for a Nintendo Switch but it was just a bunch of old documents!
I was hoping for a Nintendo Switch but it was just a bunch of old documents!
It’s Christmas! 🎅
December 20, 2025 at 11:45 AM
It’s Christmas! 🎅
A bright start to a rare Saturday visit to Kew…
December 20, 2025 at 9:20 AM
A bright start to a rare Saturday visit to Kew…
James Bond: Licence To Marry... 💒
December 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
James Bond: Licence To Marry... 💒
For #MapMonday here's a detail from John Warburton, Joseph Bland and Payler Smyth's 1724 'New and correct mapp of Middlesex, Essex, and Hertford-shire' showing my part of Hertfordshire. If there was a 'You Are Here' arrow it would be just to the south of 'Bushy Hall', then owned by the Ewer family.
December 15, 2025 at 11:53 AM
For #MapMonday here's a detail from John Warburton, Joseph Bland and Payler Smyth's 1724 'New and correct mapp of Middlesex, Essex, and Hertford-shire' showing my part of Hertfordshire. If there was a 'You Are Here' arrow it would be just to the south of 'Bushy Hall', then owned by the Ewer family.
Historical Buildings Research Tips #329
Sometimes you can just about make out a date on one of the walls of an old house...
Sometimes you can just about make out a date on one of the walls of an old house...
December 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Historical Buildings Research Tips #329
Sometimes you can just about make out a date on one of the walls of an old house...
Sometimes you can just about make out a date on one of the walls of an old house...
Reposted by Dave Annal Lifelines Research
Looking for those ideal Christmas gifts…particularly for the history lover in your life!? I have the answer! 😄😉😁 #historybooks
December 12, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Looking for those ideal Christmas gifts…particularly for the history lover in your life!? I have the answer! 😄😉😁 #historybooks
Calling all family and local historians! It may not say so on the tin, but this is for you. Context, context, context…
The algorithms are making it a lot harder to spread the word about these online talks. Although numbers are still reasonable, it would be a great help if folk were able to give the 30 December event a quick share 🙂
Booking available here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...
Booking available here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/buildings-...
December 12, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Calling all family and local historians! It may not say so on the tin, but this is for you. Context, context, context…
Reposted by Dave Annal Lifelines Research
#GenHour - Aged 16–35 and passionate about genealogy? Proposals are open for NextGen 2026, SoG + @federationfhs.bsky.social online conference.
Submit by 12 July 2026: [email protected]
Free workshop to help you prep: From Passion to Presentation, 7 July, 8pm BST.
More info: sog.org.uk/nextgen2026
Submit by 12 July 2026: [email protected]
Free workshop to help you prep: From Passion to Presentation, 7 July, 8pm BST.
More info: sog.org.uk/nextgen2026
December 11, 2025 at 8:40 PM
#GenHour - Aged 16–35 and passionate about genealogy? Proposals are open for NextGen 2026, SoG + @federationfhs.bsky.social online conference.
Submit by 12 July 2026: [email protected]
Free workshop to help you prep: From Passion to Presentation, 7 July, 8pm BST.
More info: sog.org.uk/nextgen2026
Submit by 12 July 2026: [email protected]
Free workshop to help you prep: From Passion to Presentation, 7 July, 8pm BST.
More info: sog.org.uk/nextgen2026
I've just found this wonderful statement from an officer who was promoted from the ranks during the Peninsular War in 1810:
... During the war I had the honor of being four times wounded (though only once returned so, by my own desire Not willing to alarm my wife at home) ...
#JustAFleshWound
... During the war I had the honor of being four times wounded (though only once returned so, by my own desire Not willing to alarm my wife at home) ...
#JustAFleshWound
December 11, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I've just found this wonderful statement from an officer who was promoted from the ranks during the Peninsular War in 1810:
... During the war I had the honor of being four times wounded (though only once returned so, by my own desire Not willing to alarm my wife at home) ...
#JustAFleshWound
... During the war I had the honor of being four times wounded (though only once returned so, by my own desire Not willing to alarm my wife at home) ...
#JustAFleshWound
I like to keep an eye on the servants when I'm researching wealthier families. I might be wrong but I always get the feeling that seeing the same names over several censuses suggests that the family were decent employers. I've just found a servant who was with the same family in 1891, 1901 and 1911.
December 11, 2025 at 10:36 AM
I like to keep an eye on the servants when I'm researching wealthier families. I might be wrong but I always get the feeling that seeing the same names over several censuses suggests that the family were decent employers. I've just found a servant who was with the same family in 1891, 1901 and 1911.
Does anyone know how to find out if someone who died in Virginia (USA) in the last twenty years or so left a will and if so, how would I go about getting a copy of the will?
December 9, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Does anyone know how to find out if someone who died in Virginia (USA) in the last twenty years or so left a will and if so, how would I go about getting a copy of the will?
I came across something I'd never seen in a parish burial register before; a child described as 'of Silent birth' - clearly a still birth. And now it's occurred to me that the German for silent is 'stille' (Stille Nacht = Silent Night) the term 'still birth' has taken on a more powerful meaning... 😢
![Burial record of a son of Andrew McIntoch, Markinch, Fife, Scotland.
1832
13 Andrew McIntoch at Markinch had a Child of Silent birth Int[erre]d 13th Feby. it lies at the fee of 6th July 1829
National Archives of Scotland, OPR 447/7
The final part of the entry (the date 6th July 1829) is a cross-reference to an earlier burial in the same plot/lair.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:fje5wwjffepvxog772kaptxp/bafkreibdzgqysohfre2m3qkaorghcwdtxedytpeucl5bep4ty6lac463nu@jpeg)
December 8, 2025 at 1:37 PM
I came across something I'd never seen in a parish burial register before; a child described as 'of Silent birth' - clearly a still birth. And now it's occurred to me that the German for silent is 'stille' (Stille Nacht = Silent Night) the term 'still birth' has taken on a more powerful meaning... 😢
I was looking at some of my mum's Berwickshire ancestors over the weekend. They were always on the move from one farm to another but they never moved too far from their ancestral homeland around the town of Duns (Dunse). This 1771 map by Andrew Armstrong helped to trace their movements. #MapMonday
December 8, 2025 at 10:09 AM
I was looking at some of my mum's Berwickshire ancestors over the weekend. They were always on the move from one farm to another but they never moved too far from their ancestral homeland around the town of Duns (Dunse). This 1771 map by Andrew Armstrong helped to trace their movements. #MapMonday
I'm getting ready to do my final talk of 2025. I'm live online at 18.30 with a family history webinar for Family Tree Magazine.
I'll be talking about the importance of getting to know the legislation behind the records that we use...
@familytreeplus.bsky.social
I'll be talking about the importance of getting to know the legislation behind the records that we use...
@familytreeplus.bsky.social
December 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I'm getting ready to do my final talk of 2025. I'm live online at 18.30 with a family history webinar for Family Tree Magazine.
I'll be talking about the importance of getting to know the legislation behind the records that we use...
@familytreeplus.bsky.social
I'll be talking about the importance of getting to know the legislation behind the records that we use...
@familytreeplus.bsky.social
OK, I admit it. I have a tendency to over-capitalise in my writing. I find myself writing Administration Act Books than administration act books.
Is that wrong?
Does it make me old fashioned...?
#AmWriting
Is that wrong?
Does it make me old fashioned...?
#AmWriting
a man in a black champion hoodie says it 's so while working on a project
ALT: a man in a black champion hoodie says it 's so while working on a project
media.tenor.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:59 PM
OK, I admit it. I have a tendency to over-capitalise in my writing. I find myself writing Administration Act Books than administration act books.
Is that wrong?
Does it make me old fashioned...?
#AmWriting
Is that wrong?
Does it make me old fashioned...?
#AmWriting
One of this week's tasks is to transcribe this Chancery document - all 121 lines!
So far, it hasn't been as bad as I was fearing and it's all been made that much more manageable by this spelling of the word 'receipt'.
I mean, why shouldn't you spell it 'receight'?
So far, it hasn't been as bad as I was fearing and it's all been made that much more manageable by this spelling of the word 'receipt'.
I mean, why shouldn't you spell it 'receight'?
December 2, 2025 at 9:57 AM
One of this week's tasks is to transcribe this Chancery document - all 121 lines!
So far, it hasn't been as bad as I was fearing and it's all been made that much more manageable by this spelling of the word 'receipt'.
I mean, why shouldn't you spell it 'receight'?
So far, it hasn't been as bad as I was fearing and it's all been made that much more manageable by this spelling of the word 'receipt'.
I mean, why shouldn't you spell it 'receight'?
In many respects, my assistant isn’t actually helping me that much…
December 1, 2025 at 4:02 PM
In many respects, my assistant isn’t actually helping me that much…
An early start today. I'm off to Hoddesdon to do my last in-person talk of the year. I'm speaking to the Lea Valley U3A Family History Group at 10am and I'll be giving them my most popular talk - you know, the one about our lying ancestors...
#MyAncestorWasALiar #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #U3A
#MyAncestorWasALiar #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #U3A
December 1, 2025 at 8:38 AM
An early start today. I'm off to Hoddesdon to do my last in-person talk of the year. I'm speaking to the Lea Valley U3A Family History Group at 10am and I'll be giving them my most popular talk - you know, the one about our lying ancestors...
#MyAncestorWasALiar #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #U3A
#MyAncestorWasALiar #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #U3A
📢 ICYMI
A few days ago, I published the 27th episode of Setting The Record Straight. This one's only five minutes long so put the kettle on, make yourself a cuppa and put your feet up while you learn all about the tricky subject of enparishification*
* I made it up
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCU-...
A few days ago, I published the 27th episode of Setting The Record Straight. This one's only five minutes long so put the kettle on, make yourself a cuppa and put your feet up while you learn all about the tricky subject of enparishification*
* I made it up
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCU-...
Setting The Record Straight: Episode 27 - Enparishification
YouTube video by Lifelines Research
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
📢 ICYMI
A few days ago, I published the 27th episode of Setting The Record Straight. This one's only five minutes long so put the kettle on, make yourself a cuppa and put your feet up while you learn all about the tricky subject of enparishification*
* I made it up
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCU-...
A few days ago, I published the 27th episode of Setting The Record Straight. This one's only five minutes long so put the kettle on, make yourself a cuppa and put your feet up while you learn all about the tricky subject of enparishification*
* I made it up
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCU-...
We need to talk about enparishification…
Does your research lack detail? Are you unsure about where your ancestors actually came from? Can you tell the difference between a village and a parish of the same name or do you often conflate the two?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, watch this…
Does your research lack detail? Are you unsure about where your ancestors actually came from? Can you tell the difference between a village and a parish of the same name or do you often conflate the two?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, watch this…
Setting The Record Straight: Episode 27 - Enparishification
YouTube video by Lifelines Research
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 8:33 AM
We need to talk about enparishification…
Does your research lack detail? Are you unsure about where your ancestors actually came from? Can you tell the difference between a village and a parish of the same name or do you often conflate the two?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, watch this…
Does your research lack detail? Are you unsure about where your ancestors actually came from? Can you tell the difference between a village and a parish of the same name or do you often conflate the two?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, watch this…
Reposted by Dave Annal Lifelines Research
Registration for the Scottish GENES Webinar "The Godly Commonwealth: Discover Scottish Church Records", this Sat 29 Nov, 7pm (UK), is £10, via us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... (A recording will be available for a week after, and there will be a handout) #genealogy #Scotland
November 27, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Registration for the Scottish GENES Webinar "The Godly Commonwealth: Discover Scottish Church Records", this Sat 29 Nov, 7pm (UK), is £10, via us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... (A recording will be available for a week after, and there will be a handout) #genealogy #Scotland