The Bristol Mercury of 22nd July 1854 carries the following announcement: “Birth, July 15th at Limekiln Lane, to the wife of Mr George Underhill, varnish maker, a son. This makes the 30th child that Mr Underhill has...
On 6 November 1957 at about midday on the morning shift at Downend Garage with my oppo, Bert Blackley, a veteran of World War One, we heard the din of an overhead aircraft flying...
“The solitary survivor of the wreck of the ‘Royal George’ is now living at St George’s, Gloucestershire. His name is Abel Hibbs aged 91. Until lately he was a hale old man but is...
Family History research often leads to something entirely unexpected. In 2014, my first cousin Jack GREGORY was due to attain a milestone birthday. What to give a 90 year-old-man? The majority of us who...
Below are lists of soldiers and sailors who: Survived and returned from the Peninsula Wars – ‘Some Came Home’ Were lost in battle, including an example of ‘friendly fire’ – ‘On Active Service’ Were...
At the “Book Launch” at Kingswood Heritage Museum on 29 November 2016 Mr Roger Curtis who was at the event, sent me this picture (above) believed to be at Hanham Pit, showing his grandfather,...
How it all started for me! This is the history of the Pillinger Family that I began to unearth nearly 50 years ago when I stumbled across a gravestone in St Luke’s churchyard in...
Killed in a Coalpit, Bedminster’ is the second of my ‘Coalpit’ trilogy. It was compiled slightly ‘pot luck fashion’ before old newspapers were on line and therefore I am aware that there are many...
The Victorian Girl is the Cinderella story in reverse. Mary Britton, previously Leighton, was a dear old soul, who was “in Service’ in Downend from leaving school until her late marriage to Samuel Britton....
At 6 a.m. on Friday, the 20th June 1851, ‘a double turn’ (twice as many men as usual) descended Northside Pit, (Goulstone, Garrett & Co.) at Bedminster. The pit was 135 fathoms deep and...
I have been researching the social history of the West Country for 45 years. During this time I have collated information on a wide range of people living and working in the West Country including miners, ethnic minorities, petty criminals, sailors, tommies, benefactors, brassmakers and many more. The thing that I find amazing is that ordinary people always lived extraordinary lives. I hope you like my blog that brings together my lifetime of research.
The War of 1812 – Bristol’s American POWs
13 March 2025
Richard Hendy, mariner, 1926-2024
12 December 2024
