Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
LightNews LightNews
banner
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
@ancestralenq.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.7K following 5.6K posts
Genealogist & Family Historian for 20 years.
AGRA Associate, Wakefield, W. Yorks.
Pharos Intermediate & Advanced Certificate
One Place Study: St. John's Square, Wakefield
www.ancestralenquiries.co.uk
#FamilyHistory
#Genealogy
#LocalHistory
#Yorkshire
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳 @ancestralenq.bsky.social · Nov 13
Welcome to all new followers. My name is Tony & I started my professional genealogy journey in 2024.
When I'm not researching my ancestors or those of clients I enjoy running, alternative music, travelling & exploring historical buildings, churches, cathedrals, pubs, landmarks & graveyards.
ancestralenq.bsky.social
The Southernhay United Reformed Church, Exeter was built in 1868. The tower & spire by John Tarring are all that survive of the original building which was destroyed by incendiary bombs on the 4th May 1942. The original church was built on the site of the old Southernhay Bath /1
February 2, 2026 at 8:43 PM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Rest in Peace, former Sussex cricket seamer & CEO, Tony Pigott who has died age 67. 🏏👇
BBC News - Former Sussex seamer and CEO Pigott dies aged 67
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricke...
Tony Pigott: Former Sussex seamer and CEO dies aged 67
Former Sussex seam bowler and CEO Tony Pigott, who played one Test for England against New Zealand, dies aged 67.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 8:14 PM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Burglars steal the mayor of Dewsbury's ceremonial gold plated chains which date from 1897 from Dewsbury Town Hall. 👇
BBC News - Mayoral chains stolen in Dewsbury Town Hall burglary - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Mayoral chains stolen in Dewsbury Town Hall burglary
Police and council officials appeal for help in trying to recover the
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
handhyorkshire.bsky.social
Bridlington Priory, was founded in 1113 by Walter de Gant, a Norman nobleman. It began as an Augustinian priory, one of the largest and wealthiest monastic houses in the north of England. It was dedicated to St Mary and quickly became a centre of religious learning and 1/2
The image shows the Priory Church of St Mary in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. It was founded as an Augustinian priory around 1113 AD by Walter de Gant, making it one of England's earliest Augustinian houses. During the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII, the church's nave was saved to become the parish church for the townspeople, while the rest of the priory buildings were dismantled. It was one of the largest and wealthiest monasteries of the Augustinian order in Northern England. The church is dedicated to St Mary and stands as a significant historical and cultural attraction in the region.
February 2, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
handhyorkshire.bsky.social
The sun sculpture Helios, a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram, will headline the programme at Wakefield Exchange (WX), which runs from 12 June to 6 September. I have seen both his Museum of the Moon and his earth sculpture so this will complete the set. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Luke Jerram Sun sculpture heading to Wakefield for summer
The artwork, measuring 7m (23ft) in diameter, will be in West Yorkshire from June to September.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
regqualgenes.bsky.social
We can add the following two names to our list of speakers for the RQG Conference in Birmingham (25 April 2026): David Ryan and Nicholas Dixon!
Registration is open: www.qualifiedgenealogists.org/2026-confere...
#genealogy #familyhistory #rqg
January 24, 2026 at 10:52 AM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Relocation of the Grade 2 listed Oakenshaw Cross near Bradford which dates from 1702 to a new location 20 metres away have been rejected. 👇
BBC News - Plans to relocate 18th Century Oakenshaw stone cross rejected - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Plans to relocate 18th Century Oakenshaw stone cross rejected
Residents campaigned for years to get the cross reinstated at its original site, a meeting hears.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
willsmanonename.bsky.social
The programme for The Guild of #OneNameStudies 2026 conference in #Portsmouth has now been confirmed. Booking was due to close yesterday but will remain open for a few more days in case seeing the precise timetable makes a difference for anyone
#GenHour #AncestryHour #FamilyHistory #genealogy
Timetable for The Guild of One-Name Studies 2026 conference - will be available on the website shortly Timetable for The Guild of One-Name Studies 2026 conference - will be available on the website shortly
February 1, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
handhyorkshire.bsky.social
Detail of J. M. W. Turner's 1816 painting looking northwards from Beeston Hill towards the Holbeck area of Leeds. Field tenters, were vital for drying and stretching woollen cloth during the manufacturing 'finishing' process. They ensured compliance with size standards, pattern
This image is a detail from a watercolor painting Leeds by the renowned British artist Joseph Mallord William Turner. The painting depicts the industrial town of Leeds as viewed looking northwards from Beeston Hill. Turner created the work during the height of the Industrial Revolution, and it is considered one of the first paintings of an industrial city by any artist. The scene captures the gritty reality of the new industrial Leeds, with smoking chimneys and laborers working in the foreground with woollen cloth on "tenters," which were frames used to dry and stretch the material. Notable landmarks in the painting include Marshall's Mill below the tower and Fenton and Murray's foundry, which is the chimney emitting black smoke to the right.
February 2, 2026 at 7:28 AM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Infrared scans of an Anne Boleyn portrait show that the finished painting deviated from the approved design to include the executed queen's hands. 👇
BBC News - Anne Boleyn portrait design work revealed by infrared scans - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Anne Boleyn portrait design work revealed by infrared scans
Hever Castle says Boleyn's hands are included to rebut
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 7:28 AM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Holiday park film from 1937 filmed around Naish Farm, near Barton on Sea, Hampshire discovered on eBay. 👇
BBC News - Holiday park film from 1937 discovered on eBay
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hampshire holiday park film from 1937 discovered on eBay
The
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 7:23 AM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
ancestralenq.bsky.social
The grave of John Edward Dibb, 1812-1872 & family members at Wakefield Cemetery. Dibb was a barrister at law & for 32 years acting registrar of deeds & wills in the West Riding for 32 years. He died age 61 from fatty degeneration of the heart after /1
With @graveyardsquirrel.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
postedinthepast.bsky.social
I might use this card when I talk at Wareham's museum in March. It was posted in 1918 to Arram:
"Guess you don't know how to Wareham."
#PostedInThePast
February 1, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
ancestralenq.bsky.social
A statue of 19th century mathematician Ada Lovelace has been unveiled outside the campus of the North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College, near her former home. It's a replica of a statue in Westminster created by Mary & Etienne Millner. 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Statue of computing pioneer Ada Lovelace unveiled in Hinckley
Project leaders hope the sculpture will inspire girls and young women to study maths and science.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
handhyorkshire.bsky.social
🧵During the night of the 1/2 February 1829, a fire ripped through York Minster’s Quire. The blaze had been started deliberately by Jonathan Martin, a frequent visitor to the cathedral at the time, who had attended a service that afternoon and then hidden inside until 1/3
This image depicts the 1829 York Minster fire, which was started by an arsonist named Jonathan Martin. Martin attended evening mass on 1 February1829, then hid inside the cathedral until it was locked for the night. He was thought to have piled cushions and prayer books in the Quire (choir area) and set them alight. The blaze, destroyed the 14th-century oak roof, 66 carved seats, the pulpit, organ, and damaged many monuments. Martin was later arrested and declared not guilty on the grounds of insanity at his trial, leading to his confinement in Bedlam Hospital. The cost to rebuild after the fire was estimated at £60,000. Image: The British Museum (1974,0720.29.)
February 1, 2026 at 4:43 PM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
The grave of John Edward Dibb, 1812-1872 & family members at Wakefield Cemetery. Dibb was a barrister at law & for 32 years acting registrar of deeds & wills in the West Riding for 32 years. He died age 61 from fatty degeneration of the heart after /1
With @graveyardsquirrel.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:25 PM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
An urgent appeal launched to raise £50,000 to restore the 13th century rare oak framed spire at St. Dubricius church, Porlock, Somerset. 👇
BBC News - Appeal launched to restore rare Porlock church spire - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Appeal launched to restore rare Porlock church spire
An urgent appeal has been launched to raise £50,000 to save a historic church spire.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
Hull Minster secures £230,000 of funding for renovation which includes restoration of the grand organ. 👇
BBC News - Minster secures £230k for renovation works
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hull Minster secures more than £230,000 for renovation works
Hull Minster's heritage manager says the money will be spent on renovation works at the site.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 4:56 PM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
A plague stone that dates from 1604 at Little Hob Moor, York has been used to raise £936 for nearby St. Leonard's Hospice. It was originally filled with water or vinegar to wash the coins of those suffering from the plague. 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The York plague stone still helping local causes 400 years on
Friends of Hob Moor maintain the historical site, and donations given go to St Leonard's Hospice.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 4:52 PM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
A statue of 19th century mathematician Ada Lovelace has been unveiled outside the campus of the North Warwickshire & South Leicestershire College, near her former home. It's a replica of a statue in Westminster created by Mary & Etienne Millner. 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Statue of computing pioneer Ada Lovelace unveiled in Hinckley
Project leaders hope the sculpture will inspire girls and young women to study maths and science.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Reposted by Ancestral Enquiries - Tony Smith 🌳
handhyorkshire.bsky.social
On tomorrow's date 2 February in 1830 the York Museum Gardens were officially opened. The Yorkshire Philosophical Society itself was formed in 1822. Six years later part of the grounds of St Mary's Abbey were given over to the society. The Yorkshire Museum was built
The image is a print titled View of York by George Adolphus Storey. It depicts a panoramic scene of the city of York, focusing on the area around the York Museum Gardens and St Mary's Abbey ruins. The artwork is an antique print, specifically a wood-engraved print published in 1858. It provides a historical perspective of the city's landscape and architecture in the mid-19th century. The foreground features the River Ouse and the ruins of St Mary's Abbey. The large building in the centre is the Yorkshire Museum, which was built within the abbey grounds.
February 1, 2026 at 9:28 AM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
The writers in residence at Elizabeth Gaskell's former home, Manchester which is now a museum. 👇
BBC News - 'I'm annoyed I'd never heard of fulfilling Elizabeth Gaskell' - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'I'm annoyed I'd never heard of fulfilling Elizabeth Gaskell'
Works from writers-in-residence inspired by the Victorian novelist are published in a new book.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
The story of the Drypool ghost at the old Hull Citadel, a castle built by King Henry VIII.👇
BBC News - Henry VIII's lost castle and the ghost of the Devil's Post
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Henry VIII's lost castle and the ghost of the Devil's Post
Hull Citadel has long been demolished, but tales of a murdered woman and haunted soldiers linger.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 9:53 AM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
The destruction of Margate pier & lifeboat station in a storm in 1978. 👇
BBC News - How Margate's jetty and RNLI boathouse were destroyed by a storm - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How Margate's jetty and RNLI boathouse were destroyed by a storm
A storm destroyed the Kent town's jetty and RNLI boathouse overnight in January 1978.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 9:47 AM
ancestralenq.bsky.social
A film, A Winter's Lion is being made about the UK's first Asian police officer, PC Karpal Kaur Sandhu who joined the police in 1971 & was murdered by her husband in 1973. 👇
BBC News - Film on murdered Met trailblazer being made
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Karpal Kaur Sandhu: Film about life of Met's first female Asian officer
Filming for a new movie about the UK's first female Asian police officer is wrapping up in London.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 9:41 AM