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
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
In 1925 her daughters May and Gertrude made national news as 'WATER-DIVINING WOMEN' after Chelmsford Council employed them to help find water supplies. They used a hazel twig to detect possible locations.
2/2
2/2
November 20, 2025 at 4:31 PM
In 1925 her daughters May and Gertrude made national news as 'WATER-DIVINING WOMEN' after Chelmsford Council employed them to help find water supplies. They used a hazel twig to detect possible locations.
2/2
2/2
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
Help please! This is a PCC copy of a handwritten codicil to a Will with lovely phonetic spellings. Unsure of 2 underlined words. Is it 'ankel/Oonkle [Uncle] Daniel'? (but looks like Dankel!) I don't have the original unfortunately. See Alt Text of 1st version for transcript & source. #palaeography
![The codicil text says: 'I give all my wearer parroles ot my Son John I give my dauter Son Stephen twentey poundes to prentiss him if his ?onkel ?Daniel thenk well to larn him his on tread this my own hand Riten' ('I give all my wearing apparel to my Son John I give my daughter's Son Stephen twenty pounds to apprentice him if his ?Uncle ?Daniel thinks well to learn him his own trade this [in] my own hand written'.
The only uncles I know of for Stephen are John and Joseph Hyde.
source: Will of John Hyde of Drayton, Berkshire; TNA PROB 11 Piece: 1840](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:zgbcy5o7s5uyx4h7hgnkljhl/bafkreie7zagf4yjcwdxdxqnrnod6u43ofwkosveofuluqa5btjjxoykfp4@jpeg)
October 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Help please! This is a PCC copy of a handwritten codicil to a Will with lovely phonetic spellings. Unsure of 2 underlined words. Is it 'ankel/Oonkle [Uncle] Daniel'? (but looks like Dankel!) I don't have the original unfortunately. See Alt Text of 1st version for transcript & source. #palaeography
October 16, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Today we had an interment service for my mum at St Dunstan’s, Monks Risborough, where she was married, did local history research (when registers were still in the parish chest), taught Sunday School & baptised her firstborn (me). It was a perfect spot — peaceful, historical and buzzing with nature.
September 26, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Today we had an interment service for my mum at St Dunstan’s, Monks Risborough, where she was married, did local history research (when registers were still in the parish chest), taught Sunday School & baptised her firstborn (me). It was a perfect spot — peaceful, historical and buzzing with nature.
A while ago I wrote a blog about an ancestor who lived in a ‘gypsy caravan’. I was recently contacted by someone who could not only add more details to my research but sent me pictures of a Romani caravan that is still in storage just around the corner from her house! #GenHour
September 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
A while ago I wrote a blog about an ancestor who lived in a ‘gypsy caravan’. I was recently contacted by someone who could not only add more details to my research but sent me pictures of a Romani caravan that is still in storage just around the corner from her house! #GenHour
Unlike with most brasses, we can compare the likeness to a photograph of the deceased. At first I thought that the depiction in brass was clean-shaven, but take a closer look and you’ll see that his sideburns connect to a beard that is just visible between his clerical collar and cravat.
September 17, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Unlike with most brasses, we can compare the likeness to a photograph of the deceased. At first I thought that the depiction in brass was clean-shaven, but take a closer look and you’ll see that his sideburns connect to a beard that is just visible between his clerical collar and cravat.
This memorial in Trinity College Chapel may look medieval at a glance but it was made in 1868 for Rev. William John Beaumont. A chaplain to the Forces Hospital in Sebastopol, he died suddenly aged just 40.
The #ArtsAndCrafts brass is beautiful but the name has been misspelled as BEAMONT.
The #ArtsAndCrafts brass is beautiful but the name has been misspelled as BEAMONT.
September 17, 2025 at 5:59 PM
This memorial in Trinity College Chapel may look medieval at a glance but it was made in 1868 for Rev. William John Beaumont. A chaplain to the Forces Hospital in Sebastopol, he died suddenly aged just 40.
The #ArtsAndCrafts brass is beautiful but the name has been misspelled as BEAMONT.
The #ArtsAndCrafts brass is beautiful but the name has been misspelled as BEAMONT.
September 15, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Ascott Estate in Bedfordshire, just before the rain poured down
September 12, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Ascott Estate in Bedfordshire, just before the rain poured down
I'm having a lovely time researching the occupants of my house in 1921. One of them was Reginald Brewer, born in my village in 1905. In the 1911 census he is described as a 'LOVE-CHILD'! He was counted in the children of that marriage but born 1 yr before. I assume Frederick wasn't his bio father.
September 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
I'm having a lovely time researching the occupants of my house in 1921. One of them was Reginald Brewer, born in my village in 1905. In the 1911 census he is described as a 'LOVE-CHILD'! He was counted in the children of that marriage but born 1 yr before. I assume Frederick wasn't his bio father.
'As 1891 was more than a century before 1987'
'To access the 1910 census for the UK, you should search the National Archives ...'
#familyhistory #AIFail
'To access the 1910 census for the UK, you should search the National Archives ...'
#familyhistory #AIFail
September 6, 2025 at 9:56 PM
'As 1891 was more than a century before 1987'
'To access the 1910 census for the UK, you should search the National Archives ...'
#familyhistory #AIFail
'To access the 1910 census for the UK, you should search the National Archives ...'
#familyhistory #AIFail
Wantage marked the 80th anniversary of the end of WW2 today with a small gathering in the market place, heralded by the town crier. While the trumpet played the Last Post and silence was observed, the hush that fell over everyone, even in cafes on the square, was very moving.
September 2, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Wantage marked the 80th anniversary of the end of WW2 today with a small gathering in the market place, heralded by the town crier. While the trumpet played the Last Post and silence was observed, the hush that fell over everyone, even in cafes on the square, was very moving.
Just yesterday I visited a medieval ruined chateau in the Dordogne that a father and son have been restoring by themselves since 2006. Of course we joked that we wanted to take on a project just like this …
September 2, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Just yesterday I visited a medieval ruined chateau in the Dordogne that a father and son have been restoring by themselves since 2006. Of course we joked that we wanted to take on a project just like this …
This 12th-century 2-story tower in the old cemetery of Sarlat-la-Canéda is known as a Lanterne des Morts (lantern of the dead) but there are many legends about its origins. Was it built to record a visit by St Bernard in 1147? Or lit to warn citizens of the Plague? Or simply a light for lost souls?
August 29, 2025 at 7:59 AM
This 12th-century 2-story tower in the old cemetery of Sarlat-la-Canéda is known as a Lanterne des Morts (lantern of the dead) but there are many legends about its origins. Was it built to record a visit by St Bernard in 1147? Or lit to warn citizens of the Plague? Or simply a light for lost souls?
Another woman praised to the hilt in the adjective-stuffed style of the era, is Rebeckah Granger, who died in 1758 aged 36. ‘She was Dutiful to her Parents, Loving and Respectful to her Friends, Chearful and Innocent in her Deportment without Pride or Dissimulation of a Truly Virtuous Mind.’
August 19, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Another woman praised to the hilt in the adjective-stuffed style of the era, is Rebeckah Granger, who died in 1758 aged 36. ‘She was Dutiful to her Parents, Loving and Respectful to her Friends, Chearful and Innocent in her Deportment without Pride or Dissimulation of a Truly Virtuous Mind.’
Here’s my favourite epitaph at Dorchester Abbey. It’s a wonderfully Austenesque call to the ‘Reader!’ to remember Mrs Sarah Fletcher, who died in 1799 aged 28. Her ‘Nerves were too delicately spun to meet the rude Shakes and Jostlings’ of this world and she died a ‘Martyr to Excessive Sensibility’.
August 19, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Here’s my favourite epitaph at Dorchester Abbey. It’s a wonderfully Austenesque call to the ‘Reader!’ to remember Mrs Sarah Fletcher, who died in 1799 aged 28. Her ‘Nerves were too delicately spun to meet the rude Shakes and Jostlings’ of this world and she died a ‘Martyr to Excessive Sensibility’.
Today I was able to pay a visit to the Guards Chapel and was moved to see that the page with Edna Mary Shooter’s name was open in the book of remembrance for victims of the bombing of 18 June 1944. Edna was a close friend of my ancestor Mabel Maultby. Both were nurses and both lost their lives.
August 12, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Today I was able to pay a visit to the Guards Chapel and was moved to see that the page with Edna Mary Shooter’s name was open in the book of remembrance for victims of the bombing of 18 June 1944. Edna was a close friend of my ancestor Mabel Maultby. Both were nurses and both lost their lives.
For #InternationalCatDay I present a photo of my husband’s great grandfather Jack Mortimer and other crew of the SS Devanha in 1919, with a tabby cat.
Jack served on the Devanha — a troopship — as a cook in 1917 and 1918-1919. In between those posts he served on the Pekin, a minesweeper.
#ShipsCat
Jack served on the Devanha — a troopship — as a cook in 1917 and 1918-1919. In between those posts he served on the Pekin, a minesweeper.
#ShipsCat
August 8, 2025 at 9:51 AM
For #InternationalCatDay I present a photo of my husband’s great grandfather Jack Mortimer and other crew of the SS Devanha in 1919, with a tabby cat.
Jack served on the Devanha — a troopship — as a cook in 1917 and 1918-1919. In between those posts he served on the Pekin, a minesweeper.
#ShipsCat
Jack served on the Devanha — a troopship — as a cook in 1917 and 1918-1919. In between those posts he served on the Pekin, a minesweeper.
#ShipsCat
Church bell practice and pink sky — the view from my bedroom window right now
July 28, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Church bell practice and pink sky — the view from my bedroom window right now
Here's a picture of Professor Bacon's Family Band. When this was taken, two adult children had already left to set up their own musical careers and one had died at age 19, still leaving 6 young musicians in the band!
July 27, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Here's a picture of Professor Bacon's Family Band. When this was taken, two adult children had already left to set up their own musical careers and one had died at age 19, still leaving 6 young musicians in the band!
The perfect entertainment for a VEGETARIAN fete in 1898 = Professor BACON's Family Band! 🥓🥓
One of the musical Bacon family, Ada Amelia (b. 1877), is in my family tree.
One of the musical Bacon family, Ada Amelia (b. 1877), is in my family tree.
July 27, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The perfect entertainment for a VEGETARIAN fete in 1898 = Professor BACON's Family Band! 🥓🥓
One of the musical Bacon family, Ada Amelia (b. 1877), is in my family tree.
One of the musical Bacon family, Ada Amelia (b. 1877), is in my family tree.
On display at Greys Court, is this airy silk green dress worn by Elizabeth Irving, granddaughter of famed actor Sir Henry Irving, in the role of Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at London’s Court Theatre, 1920. After marrying she gave up acting and raised 5 sons …
@nationaltrust.org.uk
@nationaltrust.org.uk
July 9, 2025 at 9:04 PM
On display at Greys Court, is this airy silk green dress worn by Elizabeth Irving, granddaughter of famed actor Sir Henry Irving, in the role of Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at London’s Court Theatre, 1920. After marrying she gave up acting and raised 5 sons …
@nationaltrust.org.uk
@nationaltrust.org.uk
This plaster cast of William Blake’s head at the NPG isn’t a death mask. It was made by a phrenologist when Blake was 65, in 1823. The painful process (hair was ripped out) resulted in an uncharacteristically sombre expression. I find masks like this captivating but also uncanny.
Blake died in 1827.
Blake died in 1827.
July 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
This plaster cast of William Blake’s head at the NPG isn’t a death mask. It was made by a phrenologist when Blake was 65, in 1823. The painful process (hair was ripped out) resulted in an uncharacteristically sombre expression. I find masks like this captivating but also uncanny.
Blake died in 1827.
Blake died in 1827.