Recent Posts
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
St Cuthbert’s Church
St Cuthbert’s Church, Carlisle – a post about the church, and about memorial inscriptions. St Cuthbert’s church may be in the shadow of the lovely cathedral (and the literal shadows of the back ... Read More
Christopher Cooper – genial champion
Christopher Cooper – known as Kitty – died at the George Inn, Newton Reigny, in 1902 aged 84. His story is one of wrestling, poaching, road repairs, farming, the yeomanry – and night soil. The b... Read More
Joseph Ferguson
In chapter 6 of my book, Port Carlisle, a history built on hope, I tried to disentangle the various Carlisle manufacturers who backed the canal. Including Joseph Ferguson. I pondered that he might hav... Read More
Mitre Inn / Mitre Hotel
The Mitre Inn (or Mitre Hotel), in King Street, Penrith, is now the The Lounge Hotel And Bar Mitre House. I thought I’d try to find something about its history. Not least because of the the 17th doo... Read More
Inglewood Rifle Corps
Inglewood Rifle Corps was formed, with patriotic fervour, as a Victorian Dad’s Army Its soldiers included boys in their teens and men in their 50s. There were grocers, painters, solicitors, publican... Read More