Author: HarrietP
Journalist and amateur genealogist
Penrith Pong old and new
Stepping off the bus in Penrith one day last summer, my first thought was: “Ewww!!” And it wasn’t ‘just me’. A bill board outside the Spar near the bus station, bore the words ‘Penrith Pon... Read More
New Year’s Eve 1859-1867
New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time for Reviews of the Year. Partly because people do like to reflect back on the previous 12 months, as they prepare to welcome in the next. But mainly because it... Read More
Christmas Eve
After labour’s long turmoil, Sorry fare and frequent fast, Two-and-fifty weeks of toil, Pudding-time is come at last… This post is set to appear on December 24. So, while it will remain ‘o... Read More
Wilson Towers – two curious deaths
Wilson Towers isn’t as rare a name as you might think. This one was a stone mason, born at Tallentire about 1843-45. In the space of four years, he was to be charged with manslaughter twice. Later, ... Read More
Robert Gate preacher and saddler
Robert Gate took me on a surprising journey when I looked into the history of a battered piece of luggage… The leather-coated wooden trunk I keep my jumpers in is a family heirloom. I was told i... Read More
Thomas William Hetherington x2: Lest we forget
‘Lest we forget’. Sadly, in 2023, it’s impossible for us to ‘forget’ the horrors and tragedies of war. The phrase is associated with famous author Rudyard Kipling. Kipling was initially gung... Read More
Villages by the Sea – Port Carlisle
Port Carlisle features in the new series of BBC2 series Villages by the Sea. The researchers approached me about it some time ago. But while I was happy for them to use my book on Port Carlisle in any... Read More
Using multiple family history sources
Using multiple family history sources can tell us so much more about people than we could get from just accepting hints on online genealogy sites. Caleb Brown of Ainstable Caleb Brown, born 1788, died... Read More