Recent Posts
1826 murders
1826 murders: On the morning of March 12, 1827, there was a double hanging at Carlisle jail. At five minutes before twelve, the prison bell tolled a summons to Robert Fox and Philip Tinnaney, to proce... Read More
John Moore – thanks Dad
John Moore – wills and family history I have posted before about how to find and use wills in family history research. The 1744 will of John Moore of Kirkbampton is one of those that tells us ... Read More
Richard Lowry
This post on Richard Lowry started with an appeal from Martin in Texas, who has an item engraved ‘R Lowry, Stanwix’. He’d like to find any living relatives who might be interested in it*. Should... Read More
Fishing rights
Fishing rights may not sound an exciting topic, but for people researching their family history, they can be an unexpected source of ‘treasure’. Signs saying ‘no fishing’ are a familiar part o... Read More
Thursby Post Office
Thursby Post Office these days is sited within the Parish Hall, in Matty Lonning (possibly my favourite-ever street name, as it sounds like the name of the hero in a folk song! The original Thursby Po... Read More
Changing customs
Changing customs – 2022 Changing customs – let’s start with very recent times! Christmas this year seems to have started before Bonfire Night. Hallowe’en was a wash-out, with heavy r... Read More
Yanwath railway hero
The Yanwath railway explosion of February 26, 1867, killed two men and caused massive damage to homes in the village.https://crimesofthecenturies.com/index.php/2019/06/30/yanwath-railway-explosion/ Ju... Read More
Thomas Watman – daddy?
Thomas Watman of Newton Holme had three daughters called Mary, and one Gretna Green marriage, so for sure qualifies as a Cumbrian Character. In my book, Port Carlisle, a history built on hope there ar... Read More