Yesterday I saw the brilliant #Arcadia in the West End. Although known for its mathematical themes it also says so much about historical research, the haphazard survival of documents & the feeling that as we piece together someone’s life we can almost reach out and touch them across space and time.

Did you know that on BBC Sounds you can access quirky local history stories for English counties (and Jersey) via the ‘Secret’ series? I subscribe to Secret Oxfordshire and Secret Buckinghamshire. A few are called ‘Hidden…’ such as Hidden East Yorkshire.

Yesterday while researching in 18th-century newspapers, I came across these two delightfully posh names: Onesiphorus Elliot Elliot of Binfield Park - a High Sheriff of Berkshire Samuel Peach Peach of Tockington House - a High Sheriff of Gloucestershire (see portrait)

The ruins of Castell Dolwyddelan, 13th-century castle of Llywelyn the Great (Prince of Gwynedd), which was captured by the English in 1283. You can climb the tower to the roof and look out across fields of sheep to the peaks of Eryri.

For anyone with shoemaker/cordwainer ancestors, it’s interesting to see traditional craftspeople in London at work (sorry - this video only seems to be on Facebook). www.facebook.com/share/v/18EA...

Celebrating the completion of year 1 of the @pharostutors.bsky.social Advanced Certificate in Genealogy with the latest edition of the OFHS magazine and today’s charity shop book find. Happy weekend! #FamilyHistory #Ghosts #Wine

Angel lectern carved by Constance Greaves at St Beuno’s, Penmorfa, N. Wales — in the care of @friendlesschurches.bsky.social Find out more about Constance in this blog: friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/story/womens...

One page in a baptism register for St Mary’s, Scarborough contains just this note, which I believe reads ‘Terrible work indeed’.

A churchyard romance. These two pigeons were being very lovey DOVEY at St Mary’s, Thame yesterday evening.

But Emma and her new baby both died within weeks of her giving birth. Cause of death for both: TB. Perhaps she contracted it in the asylum. She was only 34. Keeping my poor ancestor Emma in my thoughts this evening. And anyone who yearns for the “good old days” in “simpler times” is a fool.

After 6 months in the asylum with 1/2 pint of ale daily, cod liver oil and bedrest, Emma recovered and was discharged. She returned home to her labourer husband and 5 surviving children, and immediately got pregnant again …

This morning I viewed patient records for my 4x grt grandmother, who spent time in a pauper asylum in 1851. I learned that Emma was suffering from melancholia and ‘felt impellled to destroy her children.’ The cause was ‘hereditary disposition’ & ‘debility by mennorhagia’ (heavy menstrual bleeding).

Found these sherds on the Thames foreshore (London) last weekend and would love to ID them. I do post to pottery groups on Facebook but almost never get a response. Are there any experts on Bluesky who could help? #PotterySherds #PotteryIdentification Ps I have a #mudlarking permit

A would-be curate with no cure: John Hammond Fisk, a clergyman staying at the Lamb Inn, Wallingford, 1851. (I know this is standard language but I still think it's charming, and slightly sad!)

Today’s Law and Order walking tour in the City of London (via @thelondonarchives.bsky.social) ran the gamut from Roman public executions to Tudor show trials, C18th gaol-breakers to ingenious police call posts, and pickpockets to the Kray Twins. Thanks to @whoamiftr.bsky.social for organising!

I had no idea Wikipedia had been around that long! 🙄

An interesting burial, of Francis Latchimoney, aged 20, 'a native of Wandewash, in Asia'. 13 June 1798, St Mary Abbotts, Knightsbridge

Today's tip for earning some extra £ for your family: why not let a room in your home to a 'Gentleman (lunatic)' ? (1861 Census, Camberwell) Boarder Freeman Anderson was possibly baptised in Bristol, 1793. He was of independent means/annuitant in 1841 & 1851 and died in 1873.

Fulham Chronicle 7 June 1895 p8

The Lovell Monument, probably to William Lovell (d. 1455), St Kenelm, Minster Lovell. I like the serpentine tail on the lion.

I’ve just discovered that 4 portraits of my husband’s ancestors Sir Edward & Lady Elizabeth Hitchings were sold at auction locally last year for £130! I’m so happy to see their faces but I’d be even happier if they were hanging on my wall! Edward was Mayor of Oxford 3x and I often visit their grave.

and Anne 'being the third child at one birth' of Thomas and Martha Bladon.

When browsing pages and pages of parish registers, extra details are always delightful. In late 1828, the curate of St Giles, Newcastle Under Lyme baptised Catharine, the 19th child of Richard & Mary Taylor; Sarah, daughter of Thomas Beverey — 'an Irishman who married Elizabeth Hill'; ...

Happy 80th birthday to the luminous and hilarious Dame Joanna Lumley! I was lucky enough to meet her when I worked in the entertainment industry many moons ago. #JoannaLumley

For my archival research today I had musical entertainment! I’ve been at the Pusey House Library, Oxford — a nationally important collection of books on Anglo-Catholicism. The chapel is just downstairs and I have been browsing Victorian diaries to the sounds of organ and choral music all afternoon.

Do you know your St Botolphs? There are 3 London churches with this dedication: St Botolph without Aldersgate, St Botolph without Aldgate & St Botolph without Bishopsgate — all once outside (without) the city gates. A 4th, St Botolph Billingsgate, was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.

Today I’m looking at Oxford overseers’ accounts and council minutes at the brilliant @oxhistcentre.bsky.social. It’s a lot to take in, so thank goodness I can take a break with a lovely pot of tea and the latest Family Tree magazine.

9. And finally: Thomas Kincks a Bastard Son of Jane Mousel a most egregious Whore Adulteress and begotten by Thos Kincks an unparalled Rogue Adulterer baptised the 10th [August 1758] !!!

Samuel a Bastard Son of Elizabeth Staunton begotten by A B C D E F G etc baptised the 23rd [January 1757]

7. The Hon. Madam Anna Maria Leighton was 'a lady of greatest perfection of Body & Mind' and her burial entry even includes a poem ...