Recent Posts
Frozen fish, a Cumbrian discovery
Frozen fish, a staple of any domestic freezer, was a 20th century discovery by Clarence Birdseye. Or was it? Well, no. But this isn’t a blog about native Canadians, or how the Romans invented underf... Read More
Births post-1837, and ‘constraints on marriage’
1837 starts with 1836 All family historians know that prior to 1837, the only way to find records of births is in parish registers, or bishop’s transcripts thereof. IE, church records. The state onl... Read More
Beds through the ages, comfort and joy
Beds through the ages: most important piece of furniture? Spoiled for choice when considering a new mattress? Puzzled by the claims for memory foam, pocket springs, toppers, zoning, cores… When you ... Read More
New decade, familiar issues
Out with old, in with more of the same? On the eve of a new decade, here’s a post inspired by the Penrith Observer of December 30, 1919. Which looked at the realities of life in the aftermath of the... Read More
Winter solstice & fashion tips 1893
Winter solstice and curious questions ‘Winter solstice 2019 in Northern Hemisphere was at 04:19 on Sunday, 22 December’. So Google informs us. Bringing up with it such puzzling questions as: ‘... Read More
Old maids, a tedious courtship, and dating advice
Old Maids – not just a card game Old maids – it has never been a kind phrase, has it? And there is no equivalent for men. ‘Left on the shelf’ – has that ever been used towards a man? There... Read More
Inglewood Forest: Lowther land grab
Inglewood Forest – the area roughly between Penrith and Carlisle – lost most of its trees centuries ago. And in the 1760s, it was the scene of an unusual tussle of ownership. As a sheet of paper l... Read More
The Solway Artillery Range – what could go wrong?!
The Solway Artillery Range: those behind the scheme Cammell Laird is, as its website declares, one of the most famous names in British industry. They aren’t exaggerating when they say it is known ac... Read More