Discover Your Ancestors

Issue 139

Print or Create PDF

A warm welcome to the November issue of Discover Your Ancestors Periodical, your monthly digital mix of family and social history, in our unique web-friendly format ideal for screens of all sizes.

It's with great sadness that we share the news that one of our long-standing writers (as well as an expert speaker at the Family History Shows), Dr Simon Wills, has died after a few years battling with serious illness. You can read a short tribute to him in this issue.

Simon was in fact going to write about the 18th-century Navy for this issue, one of numerous subjects he was a much-respected expert in. Instead, we have an article on another maritime subject I'm sure he would have been clued up on, thanks to Nicola Lisle's interesting history of lighthouses and the men who worked in them. Also in this issue, we look into a sparkling family of firework manufacturers, the grim work of young chimney sweeping apprentices and more.

Remember, you can still obtain a copy of the 11th printed edition of Discover Your Ancestors at our website – it's packed with dozens of fascinating articles.

I hope you enjoy this issue.

Andrew Chapman, Editor.

Articles

Subscribe to The Genealogist

Gain unlimited access to all the latest Discover Your Ancestors articles (including those in this issue) with a 12-month subscription to Discover Your Ancestors for just £24.99. For a taster of what to expect, click here to see some of our older issues.

Each issue is packed full of entertaining stories, case studies, social history articles and research advice – great for anyone starting out in family history research, for experienced researchers needing help overcoming stumbling blocks, and for those with a general interest in how our ancestors lived their lives.

Subscribe Today

Daughters of the soil

My maternal grandmother, Jean Mary Aubrey Lyons, was one of 200,000 women who joined the Women’s Land Army (WLA) between 1939 and 1950. She joined for just over a year, between November 1941 and December 1942.

Sentinels of the sea

For seafarers, our coastline can be a deadly foe, its hidden reefs, jagged cliffs and stormy, restless seas being responsible for numerous shipwrecks over centuries of sea travel. Clearly some kind of light was needed to guide mariners through these treacherous waters and bring them safely to port. And so lighthouses began to appear around Britain’s coast, offering hope and protection to those navigating our perilous waters.

Brock's brilliant displays

When the sparkling lights burst over the Crystal Palace, Londoners knew the Brock family had once again brought their unrivalled pyrotechnic artistry to the fore. For generations, the Brocks were synonymous with the most magnificent fireworks displays in Britain, wowing audiences with dazzling set pieces, thunderous aerial effects and choreographed explosions of colour. Their spectacles became a must-see tradition, cementing the family’s place in the history of British entertainment.

The climbing boys

In England, from shortly before the Industrial Revolution and continuing into the Victorian era, child chimney sweeps, or ‘climbing boys’ as they were also known, led particularly harsh lives and worked under dangerous conditions. The children often began their apprenticeships at the age of six or younger. Many suffered from serious ongoing health conditions related to their work and often did not reach adulthood.

Solicitors at war

My research into lawyer Alexander Nicol Milne (1884–1915) revealed he lost his life during World War One. This, in turn, led me to the remarkable Roll of Solicitors…

In memoriam: Simon Wills

We are very sad to report the death of one of our long-standing contributors, Dr Simon Wills.

News for November 2024

Major release of Kent parish records, and burial reform proposals

Books for November 2024

The wool industry, the dark side of Georgian society, and Britain defined by its enemies

Additional Information

Other Formats

You can buy a printed version of the annual Discover Your Ancestors bookazine directly from the publishers, please see www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk and click on ‘Order print copies’ at the bottom.

Editorial Office

Discover Your Ancestors Publishing,

PO BOX 163,

Shaftesbury,

SP7 7BA

E: [email protected]

W: www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk

Discover Your Ancestors – The Family History Show

The Family History Show, Online!

Saturday 8th February 2025
10:00 –16:00 (GMT)

Put your research questions to an expert, watch a talk, speak to a local society, archive or genealogical supplier.

Free talks available on demand for 72 hours.
Free Experts on hand to help with your queries.
Visit exhibitors, societies, archives and companies all in our virtual exhibition hall.

Special Offer! Buy tickets for £7.00 (£10.00 on the day)

Find Out More Purchase Tickets

Future Events

Unable to make the next show? We also have shows planned for the following locations:

Discover Your Ancestors Periodical is published by Discover Your Ancestors Publishing, UK. All rights in the material belong to Discover Your Ancestors Publishing and may not be reproduced, whether in whole or in part, without their prior written consent. The publisher makes every effort to ensure the magazine's contents are correct. All articles are copyright© of Discover Your Ancestors Publishing and unauthorised reproduction is forbidden. Please refer to full Terms and Conditions at www.discoveryourancestors.co.uk. The editors and publishers of this publication give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised.