My Family Stories

Every family has a story to tell.

Behind every name on a family tree is a real person – someone who was born, worked, love, struggled, celebrated, raised a family and left their own small mark on the world. My Family Stories is where I bring some of those people back to life.

As I have followed the branches of my own family tree, I have discovered far more than names and dates. Census records have revealed the homes where my ancestors lived, certificates have helped piece together important moments in their lives, and photographs, occupations, churches and local history have helped me understand the world they knew.

Some stories have been straightforward to uncover. Others have taken years of searching, a few unexpected discoveries and plenty of dead ends along the way. There have been moments of excitement when a new record finally answers an old question — and moments when the records raise even more questions!

From the streets and shipyards of Sunderland and Monkwearmouth, to the canals and communities around Lancaster and Glasson Dock, these stories are connected to the places in which my ancestors lived and worked. Their lives were shaped by the changing world around them, and local history can often help us understand the people behind the records.

I also want to share the discoveries, mistakes and little breakthroughs that have helped me piece these stories together. My hope is that they will not only preserve my own family history for future generations, but perhaps inspire you to look at your own family tree differently.

Because genealogy isn’t simply about finding out who your ancestors were.

It’s about discovering their stories.

So, take a small step with me, turn the page, and let’s meet some of the people who came before us.