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/
Not a bad way to spend a cold and blustery winter afternoon.
I'm live on Zoom at 14.30 speaking to the Hertfordshire Family History Society - which is less than an hour away. So, I suppose I should stir my stumps...
I'm live on Zoom at 14.30 speaking to the Hertfordshire Family History Society - which is less than an hour away. So, I suppose I should stir my stumps...
November 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Not a bad way to spend a cold and blustery winter afternoon.
I'm live on Zoom at 14.30 speaking to the Hertfordshire Family History Society - which is less than an hour away. So, I suppose I should stir my stumps...
I'm live on Zoom at 14.30 speaking to the Hertfordshire Family History Society - which is less than an hour away. So, I suppose I should stir my stumps...
One of the people I'm researching for a client at the moment served in the Royal Navy between 1803 and 1814 and one of the ships he served on was HMS Canopus. I already knew that Jane Austen's brother, Francis, was the Captain of the ship but it was nice to find his signature on the muster rolls!
November 20, 2025 at 11:36 AM
One of the people I'm researching for a client at the moment served in the Royal Navy between 1803 and 1814 and one of the ships he served on was HMS Canopus. I already knew that Jane Austen's brother, Francis, was the Captain of the ship but it was nice to find his signature on the muster rolls!
I would thoroughly recommend The Wager by @davidgrann.bsky.social
A stunning retelling of a little-known piece of 18th century British naval history, featuring shipwrecks, mutiny, murder and a fair amount of mayhem!
Truth is sometimes far stranger than fiction…
A stunning retelling of a little-known piece of 18th century British naval history, featuring shipwrecks, mutiny, murder and a fair amount of mayhem!
Truth is sometimes far stranger than fiction…
November 20, 2025 at 7:32 AM
I would thoroughly recommend The Wager by @davidgrann.bsky.social
A stunning retelling of a little-known piece of 18th century British naval history, featuring shipwrecks, mutiny, murder and a fair amount of mayhem!
Truth is sometimes far stranger than fiction…
A stunning retelling of a little-known piece of 18th century British naval history, featuring shipwrecks, mutiny, murder and a fair amount of mayhem!
Truth is sometimes far stranger than fiction…
I've spent the morning sorting through 681 document images from yesterday's trip to @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy
I think I need a break...
I think I need a break...
November 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
I've spent the morning sorting through 681 document images from yesterday's trip to @nationalarchives.gov.uk.web.brid.gy
I think I need a break...
I think I need a break...
Good morning to my fellow Scots.
How you are all feeling this fine morning...? 🏴⚽🏴⚽🏴🥳
How you are all feeling this fine morning...? 🏴⚽🏴⚽🏴🥳
November 19, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Good morning to my fellow Scots.
How you are all feeling this fine morning...? 🏴⚽🏴⚽🏴🥳
How you are all feeling this fine morning...? 🏴⚽🏴⚽🏴🥳
I’ve read some wonderful books this year but this might just about be the best!
Anna Keay’s fascinating guide to the English Republic (1649-1660) as seen through the eyes of those who experienced it.
Anna Keay’s fascinating guide to the English Republic (1649-1660) as seen through the eyes of those who experienced it.
November 17, 2025 at 9:40 AM
I’ve read some wonderful books this year but this might just about be the best!
Anna Keay’s fascinating guide to the English Republic (1649-1660) as seen through the eyes of those who experienced it.
Anna Keay’s fascinating guide to the English Republic (1649-1660) as seen through the eyes of those who experienced it.
I’m back down south after an emotional few days up in Edinburgh. My 92-year old dad is moving into a care home today and it all feels like the end of an era…
November 14, 2025 at 8:39 AM
I’m back down south after an emotional few days up in Edinburgh. My 92-year old dad is moving into a care home today and it all feels like the end of an era…
Here's a handy guide (Ancestry take note):
1660-1822 The original church on Pancras Road = St Pancras parish church
1822-today The new church on Euston Road = St Pancras parish church
1848-today The original church restored and named Old St Pancras church (no marriages solemnised there until 1859).
1660-1822 The original church on Pancras Road = St Pancras parish church
1822-today The new church on Euston Road = St Pancras parish church
1848-today The original church restored and named Old St Pancras church (no marriages solemnised there until 1859).
November 12, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Here's a handy guide (Ancestry take note):
1660-1822 The original church on Pancras Road = St Pancras parish church
1822-today The new church on Euston Road = St Pancras parish church
1848-today The original church restored and named Old St Pancras church (no marriages solemnised there until 1859).
1660-1822 The original church on Pancras Road = St Pancras parish church
1822-today The new church on Euston Road = St Pancras parish church
1848-today The original church restored and named Old St Pancras church (no marriages solemnised there until 1859).
I am so fortunate to come from a family of hoarders - both my dad's side of the family and my mum's were reluctant to throw anything away. Which is why I was able to find this in a box of my dad's. It's a letter from a garage acknowledging my dad's order for his first car, a brand new Ford Popular!
November 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
I am so fortunate to come from a family of hoarders - both my dad's side of the family and my mum's were reluctant to throw anything away. Which is why I was able to find this in a box of my dad's. It's a letter from a garage acknowledging my dad's order for his first car, a brand new Ford Popular!
In 1939, when my mum was 11 years old, she won the 'Dux Medal' at her school, the 'Normal Practising Primary School' or 'Orwell Normal'. Her achivement was reported in the Edinburgh Evening News on 13 July 1939. And while sorting out a few things at my dad's house today, guess what I came across...?
November 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
In 1939, when my mum was 11 years old, she won the 'Dux Medal' at her school, the 'Normal Practising Primary School' or 'Orwell Normal'. Her achivement was reported in the Edinburgh Evening News on 13 July 1939. And while sorting out a few things at my dad's house today, guess what I came across...?
10,000 words and counting...! 🥳
I think that's as good a place as any to stop for the day...
#AmWriting
I think that's as good a place as any to stop for the day...
#AmWriting
November 5, 2025 at 6:12 PM
10,000 words and counting...! 🥳
I think that's as good a place as any to stop for the day...
#AmWriting
I think that's as good a place as any to stop for the day...
#AmWriting
My view right now…
November 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
My view right now…
It's taken me a while to arrive at this conclusion, but I now firmly believe that the only way to finish this book is to get on with it.
So that's what I'm doing today...
#AmWriting
So that's what I'm doing today...
#AmWriting
November 5, 2025 at 10:17 AM
It's taken me a while to arrive at this conclusion, but I now firmly believe that the only way to finish this book is to get on with it.
So that's what I'm doing today...
#AmWriting
So that's what I'm doing today...
#AmWriting
I'll be heading up the A41 in a couple of hours' time to speak to the good folk of the Aston Clinton U3A.
I'm giving them my talk on using newspapers to bring our ancestors to life.
It all starts at 2pm...
I'm giving them my talk on using newspapers to bring our ancestors to life.
It all starts at 2pm...
November 4, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I'll be heading up the A41 in a couple of hours' time to speak to the good folk of the Aston Clinton U3A.
I'm giving them my talk on using newspapers to bring our ancestors to life.
It all starts at 2pm...
I'm giving them my talk on using newspapers to bring our ancestors to life.
It all starts at 2pm...
Just to clear everything up, the person I'm researching was born in Holwell, which was in Bedfordshire but was transferred to Hertfordshire in 1897.
As a young man he moved to St Thomas Chapel which was in the Bedfordshire parish of Meppershall but was administratively part of Hertfordshire...
1/2
As a young man he moved to St Thomas Chapel which was in the Bedfordshire parish of Meppershall but was administratively part of Hertfordshire...
1/2
November 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Just to clear everything up, the person I'm researching was born in Holwell, which was in Bedfordshire but was transferred to Hertfordshire in 1897.
As a young man he moved to St Thomas Chapel which was in the Bedfordshire parish of Meppershall but was administratively part of Hertfordshire...
1/2
As a young man he moved to St Thomas Chapel which was in the Bedfordshire parish of Meppershall but was administratively part of Hertfordshire...
1/2
County boundaries weren't always as neat as we'd like them to be. The area around Meppershall in Bedfordshire was particularly complicated giving rise to this cartographical equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders:
HARTFORD SHIRE intermixed with BEDFORD SHIRE
The Limits uncertain
#MappyMonday
HARTFORD SHIRE intermixed with BEDFORD SHIRE
The Limits uncertain
#MappyMonday
November 3, 2025 at 9:48 AM
County boundaries weren't always as neat as we'd like them to be. The area around Meppershall in Bedfordshire was particularly complicated giving rise to this cartographical equivalent of a shrug of the shoulders:
HARTFORD SHIRE intermixed with BEDFORD SHIRE
The Limits uncertain
#MappyMonday
HARTFORD SHIRE intermixed with BEDFORD SHIRE
The Limits uncertain
#MappyMonday
Just about to head off to Dartford for my talk at the @nwkfhs.bsky.social AGM this afternoon.
I'm on stage at 14.15. The M25 seems to be clear. What can possibly go wrong...?
I'm on stage at 14.15. The M25 seems to be clear. What can possibly go wrong...?
November 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Just about to head off to Dartford for my talk at the @nwkfhs.bsky.social AGM this afternoon.
I'm on stage at 14.15. The M25 seems to be clear. What can possibly go wrong...?
I'm on stage at 14.15. The M25 seems to be clear. What can possibly go wrong...?
It’s one of those confusing days for me today.
First up, I’ve got a football session for Under 5 & Under 6 girls at 10am.
Then, I’m off to Dartford to present my talk on the impact of illegitimacy on family history research at the AGM of the North West Kent FHS at 2.15pm.
First up, I’ve got a football session for Under 5 & Under 6 girls at 10am.
Then, I’m off to Dartford to present my talk on the impact of illegitimacy on family history research at the AGM of the North West Kent FHS at 2.15pm.
November 1, 2025 at 9:25 AM
It’s one of those confusing days for me today.
First up, I’ve got a football session for Under 5 & Under 6 girls at 10am.
Then, I’m off to Dartford to present my talk on the impact of illegitimacy on family history research at the AGM of the North West Kent FHS at 2.15pm.
First up, I’ve got a football session for Under 5 & Under 6 girls at 10am.
Then, I’m off to Dartford to present my talk on the impact of illegitimacy on family history research at the AGM of the North West Kent FHS at 2.15pm.
#31DaysOfGraves Day#31 Memento Mori
Seven years ago today I spent a fascinating hour or so wandering around Abercorn Kirkyard in West Lothian looking at all the Memento Mori gravestones.
Here are a few of the best...
Seven years ago today I spent a fascinating hour or so wandering around Abercorn Kirkyard in West Lothian looking at all the Memento Mori gravestones.
Here are a few of the best...
October 31, 2025 at 12:42 PM
#31DaysOfGraves Day#31 Memento Mori
Seven years ago today I spent a fascinating hour or so wandering around Abercorn Kirkyard in West Lothian looking at all the Memento Mori gravestones.
Here are a few of the best...
Seven years ago today I spent a fascinating hour or so wandering around Abercorn Kirkyard in West Lothian looking at all the Memento Mori gravestones.
Here are a few of the best...
Well it is #Halloween today, so why shouldn't she get married 14 years after she died...? 🧟🧟♂️🧟♀️👻
October 31, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Well it is #Halloween today, so why shouldn't she get married 14 years after she died...? 🧟🧟♂️🧟♀️👻
Welcome to #BigScreenThursday*
Today I’ve been exploring Wiltshire in the company of Christopher Greenwood and his 1820 Map of the County of Wilts ‘from actual survey’. And a very fine piece of work it is too…
@natlibscot.bsky.social
* it’s a thing
Today I’ve been exploring Wiltshire in the company of Christopher Greenwood and his 1820 Map of the County of Wilts ‘from actual survey’. And a very fine piece of work it is too…
@natlibscot.bsky.social
* it’s a thing
October 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Welcome to #BigScreenThursday*
Today I’ve been exploring Wiltshire in the company of Christopher Greenwood and his 1820 Map of the County of Wilts ‘from actual survey’. And a very fine piece of work it is too…
@natlibscot.bsky.social
* it’s a thing
Today I’ve been exploring Wiltshire in the company of Christopher Greenwood and his 1820 Map of the County of Wilts ‘from actual survey’. And a very fine piece of work it is too…
@natlibscot.bsky.social
* it’s a thing
#31DaysOfGraves - Day #30 Colour
The municipal cemetery in Landau-in-der-Pfalz is also home to the historical Jewish Cemetery. The oldest stones are made from the local red sandstone which, unfortunately, isn't the most durable material for a gravestone. But there's a quiet beauty to them...
The municipal cemetery in Landau-in-der-Pfalz is also home to the historical Jewish Cemetery. The oldest stones are made from the local red sandstone which, unfortunately, isn't the most durable material for a gravestone. But there's a quiet beauty to them...
October 30, 2025 at 12:52 PM
#31DaysOfGraves - Day #30 Colour
The municipal cemetery in Landau-in-der-Pfalz is also home to the historical Jewish Cemetery. The oldest stones are made from the local red sandstone which, unfortunately, isn't the most durable material for a gravestone. But there's a quiet beauty to them...
The municipal cemetery in Landau-in-der-Pfalz is also home to the historical Jewish Cemetery. The oldest stones are made from the local red sandstone which, unfortunately, isn't the most durable material for a gravestone. But there's a quiet beauty to them...
But this is more than just certain features not loading. All I'm getting is the header - nothing else - no content. But just on some sites. If it was all sites or just one site I could understand it but this is several sites doing the same thing - but not all sites - and not all the time!!!
October 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
But this is more than just certain features not loading. All I'm getting is the header - nothing else - no content. But just on some sites. If it was all sites or just one site I could understand it but this is several sites doing the same thing - but not all sites - and not all the time!!!
Is anyone else experiencing this. There are lots of websites that just aren’t ‘loading’ for me at the moment; Ancestry, Findmypast, The Internet Archive, FamilySearch. I can’t get onto my Gmail account either.
But other sites are completely fine - like FreeBMD, TheGenealogist, the BBC…
But other sites are completely fine - like FreeBMD, TheGenealogist, the BBC…
October 28, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Is anyone else experiencing this. There are lots of websites that just aren’t ‘loading’ for me at the moment; Ancestry, Findmypast, The Internet Archive, FamilySearch. I can’t get onto my Gmail account either.
But other sites are completely fine - like FreeBMD, TheGenealogist, the BBC…
But other sites are completely fine - like FreeBMD, TheGenealogist, the BBC…
I’ve just finished reading The Wager by David Grann @davidgrann.bsky.social and I can safely say that it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, fiction or non-fiction.
Beautifully written and expertly researched, it’s an astonishing story which breathes life into its central characters.
Stunning!
Beautifully written and expertly researched, it’s an astonishing story which breathes life into its central characters.
Stunning!
October 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
I’ve just finished reading The Wager by David Grann @davidgrann.bsky.social and I can safely say that it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, fiction or non-fiction.
Beautifully written and expertly researched, it’s an astonishing story which breathes life into its central characters.
Stunning!
Beautifully written and expertly researched, it’s an astonishing story which breathes life into its central characters.
Stunning!